Jazz Acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. in Blockbuster Trade

Utah makes bold move to bolster young core and compete in the West

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Utah Jazz have pulled off a blockbuster trade, acquiring former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Jazz gave up a hefty package including two recent first-round picks and multiple future first-round selections, but the front office believes Jackson Jr. is the missing piece to help their young core compete in the loaded Western Conference.

Why it matters

The Jazz have faced scrutiny for their perceived tanking tactics this season, but this trade signals their intent to return to consistent winning ways. Pairing Jackson Jr. with rising star Keyonte George and promising center Walker Kessler gives the Jazz a formidable two-way lineup that should put them in contention for a playoff spot in the coming seasons.

The details

In the trade, the Jazz sent Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., and a package of future first-round picks to the Grizzlies in exchange for Jackson Jr. While the cost was steep, the Jazz believe Jackson Jr.'s defensive prowess and versatile offensive game make him the ideal complement to their young core. The team also made several smaller trades to acquire additional draft assets and clear salary cap space.

  • The Jazz completed the trade with the Grizzlies on the 2026 NBA trade deadline day (February 14, 2026).
  • The Jazz were fined $500,000 earlier this season for holding out healthy players in close games, drawing the league's attention to their tanking tactics.

The players

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A former Defensive Player of the Year and one of the league's premier shot-blockers, Jackson Jr. has struggled with consistency in recent seasons but the Jazz believe he can thrive as the defensive anchor of their young core.

Keyonte George

The Jazz's rising star guard, George has blossomed into one of the most explosive scoring threats in the NBA, providing the team with a dynamic offensive weapon to build around.

Walker Kessler

The Jazz's promising young center, Kessler has shown flashes of being an elite rim protector and rebounder, which should complement Jackson Jr.'s defensive prowess.

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What they’re saying

“We must be aggressive in our pursuit of winning if we want to return to consistent success. Jaren Jackson Jr. is the type of player who can anchor our defense and take us to the next level.”

— Danny Ainge, Jazz Executive VP of Basketball Operations (Jazz press release)

What’s next

The Jazz will look to integrate Jackson Jr. into their lineup and continue developing their young core, with the goal of competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference next season.

The takeaway

The Jazz's bold move to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. signals their intent to transition from a rebuilding phase to a win-now mentality, as they aim to build a contender around their promising young talent led by Keyonte George and Walker Kessler.