Jaren Jackson Jr is the latest Grizzlies player being linked with a trade out of Memphis, according to reports from several sources. The Memphis Grizzlies are pivoting this offseason towards a rebuild following some early trades. Jaren Jackson Jr has been a star performer for Memphis and has become a fan favorite in Tennessee; however, the management in Memphis is trying to build a championship-contending team around their star player, Ja Morant. The latest reports are that the Knicks are looking to trade for Jackson amid their own rebuilding pursuits.
Is Jaren Jackson Jr the right fit for the New York Knicks?
This season has been one for the ages in New York. The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in two decades, and the sentiment in New York was that the team would go all the way to the Finals, especially after beating the reigning champs, the Boston Celtics. They would fail at the penultimate hurdle against the Indiana Pacers.
While the Knicks’ star pairing of Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns impressed for New York, they always seemed to have to fight extra hard to get the result they wanted and lacked a certain presence in the paint. That defense presence is what Jaren Jackson Jr brings to the table as he is a two-time All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. He is a force on the defense, leading the league in blocks twice and earning three All-Defensive Team selections.
In the season that passed, Jaren Jackson Jr had his best performance to date, racking up some impressive season averages that include:
- 22.2 points per game
- 5.6 rebounds per game
- 2.0 assists per game
- 37.5% from three on 5.3 attempts per game
What are the odds that Jaren Jackson Jr ends up in New York?
Considering the precarious position that the Knicks find themselves in, they are looking for that last piece in the puzzle to push them beyond this year’s postseason performance. Jackson has had some time to acclimate to the demands of the NBA, as he was drafted as the 4th overall pick by Memphis in the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s had time to mature into the player that he is now, a powerful center that can defend the best in the league.
What would a trade for Jaren Jackson Jr look like for the Knicks?
Reports have emerged from ESPN and ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen that New York has been interested in bringing Jaren Jackson Jr to the Knicks for some time now. They will need to move quickly, as the trade market is unpredictable, and Jackson could be fielding multiple offers. Kris Pursiainen reported:
“Sources familiar with the situation tell ClutchPoints that at least one key member of the Knicks’ front office has long been interested in Jackson Jr. as a trade target.”
A potential deal could involve Mikel Bridges, whom the Grizzlies have had their eye on for a while now. In 2023, the Memphis Grizzlies showed their interest in bringing Bridges to Tennessee as they offered four first-round picks for Bridges. So we know the interest is there. If the reports by ESPN and others are anything to go by, we will soon see Jaren Jackson Jr in New York, who desperately needs some good news at the moment.
What does next season hold in store for Jaren Jackson Jr?
Following reports that the LA Lakers are also showing interest in Jaren Jackson Jr, the Knicks will need to make their minds up. Memphis is clearly in the middle of a rebuild, so they would want a significant return on a player they have spent many years developing into one of the best big men in the NBA. The skilled big man has become a valuable asset in the NBA and one that every successful team has on its roster. Can the Knicks give Memphis a good enough deal to lure Jaren Jackson Jr to New York? We’ll have to wait and see.
