Rich Paul's dream of seeing Jaren Jackson Jr. donning purple and gold is officially dead. After teams were reportedly poking around on the Memphis Grizzlies big man for months, the frontcourt star is on his way to joining the Utah Jazz.
Shams Charania reported: "BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, sources tell ESPN."
The first piece of good news here, if you're the Los Angeles Lakers, would be avoiding a fit that was always better in theory than it would have been in practice for the team. Adding JJJ would have only further complicated roster-building challenges for the Lakers in a future built around Luka Doncic.
However, there is an even bigger reason for Los Angeles to celebrate this trade. Jackson's massive contract eats away at the Jazz's cap space. That should quietly eliminate them from being a potential Austin Reaves destination in the summer. For a deal that did not directly involve the Lakers, they walk away feeling like huge winners.
Lakers' future has much more clarity after Jazz acquire Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Lakers have always wanted to pay Reaves and keep him in Los Angeles long-term during the summer of 2026. That messaging has continued to be crystal clear.
Utah, likewise, always stood out as one of the primary teams who could challenge that desire. They had the cap space to break open the piggy bank, they had the opportunity to give Reaves a number one role in the offense, and they had the assets to put a competent team around him.
Given the fact of the Lakers star being an unrestricted free agent (upon declining his player option), there were truly no guarantees in the situation. All signs could have pointed to him staying in Los Angeles and there still would have been just an inkling of doubt.
Lessening the potential suitors list is a massive win for the Lakers. Having the Jazz scoop up Jackson saves the team from themselves too.
It's not like the Lakers were actively engaged in talks for the former Grizzlies star. However, it's still best to have that lackluster option erased altogether.
The coming summer has been made easier on two major fronts for Rob Pelinka and company. This was a great trade for them.