It’s no secret that the Detroit Pistons could package Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey (two expiring contracts) to make a big trade before the deadline, and there is some buzz around Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies.
On a recent episode of the Locked on Grizzlies podcast, hosts DaMichael Cole and Joe Mullinax suggested that the Grizzlies may have to blow up their roster by trading JJJ. Here is the trade they came up with:
From a personnel standpoint, you can certainly see how this one would be tempting for the Pistons, as Jackson Jr. is an upgrade over Harris on both ends, and Ivey hasn’t even played in the last year.
Both players are on expiring contracts, which would appeal to Memphis if they were starting over, and they could get an extended look at Ivey as part of a youth movement. They’d have team control over him, as Ivey will only be a restricted free agent after this season.
I did see plenty of Pistons fans balking at this price tag, mostly because of the three first-round picks attached, which does seem a bit rich for Jackson Jr., who is not having a great season so far. But you do have to remember that those picks will likely be in the 20’s anyway, so the Pistons aren’t going to be handing over lottery picks.
He is on a huge contract that jumps up to $49 million next season and goes as high as $53 million in 2029-30, which is a player option for JJJ.
It’s not a catastrophic contract by any means and may even look like a bargain if he gets back to form. He’s had a slow start scoring, but this is a guy who averaged over 22 points last season and made the All-Defensive and All-Star teams, so the idea of pairing him with Jalen Duren and/or Isaiah Stewart defensively is certainly tantalizing.
He’s also only 26, so the Pistons would be getting a guy locked into a deal who is just entering his prime.
You can argue about the parameters of the deal (I’d probably do it if the Pistons could turn one of those picks into a swap), but it will have to be put on hold anyway for several reasons.
Detroit Pistons rumors: Trading for Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies used Bird Rights to sign Jackson Jr. and gave him more than a 20 percent raise, so as a team over the cap, they can’t trade him until January 15th.
We’ve gone over some of the Pistons who can be traded on December 15th, but it would be another month until JJJ becomes eligible.
There’s also the pesky fact that both Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris are currently injured, so they aren’t going anywhere until they are both back on the floor and playing well, especially in the case of Ivey.
The Grizzlies aren’t going to make Ivey the centerpiece of a trade unless he’s fully healthy and looks like a guy the Pistons used a top five pick to acquire.
If Ivey is playing well, the Pistons may not want to trade him anyway, but the Grizzlies could have some interest in pairing him with former Purdue teammate Zach Edey if they are starting to rebuild.
This is the type of trade that could push the Pistons into real contention for the next several seasons, but fans are going to have to be patient, as it can’t happen until January.