Jazz Stars Excited for Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade

Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen react to the Utah Jazz's acquisition of the All-Star forward.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Utah Jazz made a blockbuster trade on Tuesday, sending out several players to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr., an All-Star forward. Jazz players like Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen expressed excitement about the addition of Jackson, noting his defensive abilities and the potential of the team's new frontcourt rotation.

Why it matters

The trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. represents a significant move for the Jazz as they look to build a championship-contending team. Jackson is an elite defensive player who can complement the team's offensive firepower and provide a strong interior presence.

The details

In the trade, the Jazz sent out Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang to the Grizzlies in exchange for Jackson, John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. The Jazz's new frontcourt of Jackson, Markkanen, and Walker Kessler (when he returns from injury) could be one of the most formidable in the league.

  • The trade was completed on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

The players

Keyonte George

A third-year point guard for the Utah Jazz who has emerged as a near-star this season.

Lauri Markkanen

A 7-foot forward for the Utah Jazz who can play multiple frontcourt positions.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

An All-Star forward who was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Utah Jazz.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's about to be exciting,”

— Keyonte George (sltrib.com)

“I think obviously the exciting part is Walker and Jaren, you know. That frontcourt is crazy,”

— Keyonte George (sltrib.com)

“I mean, we've got to put it to work. But I think it's a really high-potential lineup. He's obviously a high-level player, Defensive Player of the Year, and he's shown what he can do on teams,”

— Lauri Markkanen (sltrib.com)

What’s next

The Jazz will look to quickly integrate Jaren Jackson Jr. into their lineup and see how the new-look frontcourt performs on the court.

The takeaway

The Jazz's trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. represents a bold move to improve their roster and build a championship contender, with players like Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen expressing excitement about the team's new high-potential frontcourt.