NBA: No homecoming for Jaren Jackson Jr. as Jazz visit Grizzlies

The much-anticipated homecoming for Jaren Jackson Jr. won’t happen as planned.

The Memphis Grizzlies traded the veteran forward to the Utah Jazz just before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, setting up an intriguing mid-February matchup. But Jackson will not suit up when the Grizzlies host the Jazz on Friday.

The former Defensive Player of the Year, now in his eighth NBA season, underwent successful surgery earlier this week in Salt Lake City to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth from his left knee. The growth was discovered during a post-trade physical.

Jackson, the league’s top defender in 2022-23, is expected to miss at least four weeks, according to the Jazz, though he could return later this season.

In his Jazz debut on Feb. 7 against the Orlando Magic, Jackson scored 22 points with three assists and three steals in 25 minutes. Across 48 games this season—45 with Memphis—he is averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Jackson, along with John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr., joined Utah on Feb. 3. In return, Memphis received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three first-round draft picks.

Jazz coach Will Hardy, who has only worked with Jackson briefly, praised both his character and talent.

“When we traded for Jaren, obviously there is so much talk about him as a player,” Hardy said. “And I’m very excited about that. But what we are trying to build as an organization, Jaren’s character, and who he is as a person, is just as important. He’s a high-character guy with a good sense of humor, and he earns respect because of how he has played throughout his career.”

Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman admitted that letting go of a core player was tough, but he sees long-term benefits.

“We felt good about the return for Jaren, and we thought it was healthier for the organization to turn the page and build this team with a clear mind,” Kleiman said. “We’re pivoting to a younger roster, and we’re not shying away from that.”

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are adjusting to life without Jackson and trying to end a four-game losing streak without star guard Ja Morant. Morant has been sidelined with a left elbow sprain since Jan. 23, missing 11 games and expected to be out for another two weeks. He has played only 20 games this season due to injuries.

Guard Ty Jerome recently returned from a right calf injury and has made an immediate impact, averaging 19.7 points in 20.2 minutes over six games. Additional contributions have come from Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer, and Cedric Coward, who were selected for the Rising Stars mini-tournament at NBA All-Star Weekend, though Coward sat out due to knee soreness.

For the Jazz, Keyonte George has been dealing with ankle injuries, missing six of the last seven games before the All-Star break. He is averaging 23.8 points over 48 games.

—Field Level Media/Reuters