Memphis’ mayor said the All-Star’s impact goes beyond basketball as the team looks ahead to the trade deadline.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Mayor Paul Young is reflecting on the legacy of Jaren Jackson Jr. following a blockbuster trade that sent the longtime Grizzlies star to the Utah Jazz.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Tuesday, Feb. 3, that Jackson was part of an eight-player deal that would bring three future first-round draft picks to Memphis, along with Utah players Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang. In exchange, the Grizzlies are sending Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to Utah.
Jackson Jr., a two-time NBA All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year, was drafted by the Grizzlies at 19 years old and has spent his entire professional career up to this point in Memphis. His departure marks the end of a defining chapter for the franchise.
Mayor Young said that while Jackson’s presence on the court will be missed, his contributions to the city off the court will leave a lasting mark.
“He will definitely be missed, and we know that he will always have a home here,” Young said.
Drafted as a teenager, Jackson grew up in Memphis under the spotlight of professional sports. Young pointed to the player’s community involvement as a major part of his legacy.
“His impact off the court was equally as powerful,” Young said. “If you look at the investments he made with the [National Civil Rights Museum] and the camps he supported for young people, those are the things we will really miss as a community. We had the opportunity to watch him grow up into a man, and we are proud of him. We always will be.”
From a basketball perspective, Young said the trade does not signal a loss of faith in the team’s future.
“I still think the future is bright for the Grizzlies,” he said. “It hurts to see Jaren and the other players leave who were part of this trade, but we look forward to welcoming the new players and using those draft picks well in the future.”
As the Grizzlies move forward, fans across Memphis are reflecting on Jackson’s time with the team and what he represented to the city.
“You will forever and always be a Memphian,” Grizzlies superfan Antonio Braxton Sr. said. “You gave your heart and soul to this city. You were always about the fans and the kids. Much respect to you and much success in Utah.”
With the NBA trade deadline set for Feb. 5, the Grizzlies may not be done making moves. Fans are watching closely to see what could come next for the roster.