The Sacramento Kings made a big move this summer when they added DeMar DeRozan to the franchise after missing the 2024 Playoffs. While DeRozan has been a worthwhile offensive addition, the team still has defensive holes to address as they started the season 8-7. There are many mouths to feed on offense but they’re going to struggle to stay competitive without a genuine rim protector.
The Memphis Grizzlies are hoping for a healthy season with Ja Morant and Desmond Bane alongside their core, anchored by Jaren Jackson Jr. But the Grizzlies seem to have stagnated this season after starting 8-6. They could have a higher overall ceiling if they committed to being pacey offensively and opening up assets for potential future acquisitions.
The Kings could entice the Grizzlies into parting with Jaren Jackson Jr. with a loaded offer.
Trade Details
Sacramento Kings Receive: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, 2027 First-Round Pick (SAC), 2029 First-Round Pick (SAC)
The Grizzlies would add an offensive spark plug like Malik Monk while adding 24-year-forward Keegan Murray to be a high-activity 3-and-D presence on the wing. Losing Jaren Jackson could hurt their overall defense in terms of rim protection, but could see the Grizzlies embrace a more perimeter-centric style of play with Ja Morant at the helm.
The Kings Add The Final Piece
The Kings have made an active effort to lean into the team’s offensive capabilities over the last few seasons, leading the league in offense in 2022-23 before staying in the top ten last season. In both years, their defense has been less than impressive primarily because they’re relying on offensive savant Domantas Sabonis as the center while surrounding him with four shooting wings or guards.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is averaging 23.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks to open the season, continuing to excel as a two-way big. His offensive game has been greatly expanded over the last few seasons, as Jackson can bring more offensively than stand-still three-point shooting. He would be the perfect frontcourt partner for Sabonis, as Domas’ playmaking will be greatly enhanced with an offensively capable big-man partner like Jaren.
Losing Keegan Murray will be a big blow, especially to the team’s perimeter defense given how he can use his size and instinct to bother opposing wings. But the overall defensive protection Jaren adds as a former DPOY and blocks champion is far too impactful to overlook.
The Grizzlies Adjust Their Roster For The Future
Suggesting that the Grizzlies trade Jaren away right now seems a little odd given the franchise is still waiting to be fully healthy for the first time in two seasons. But there might be an overall roster adjustment required for the Grizzlies to maximize the pieces they have. Jackson Jr. has been a great big man for the franchise, but it might be time to maximize his value and acquire assets to future-proof the franchise.
Memphis ranks in the top ten of offensive rating this season (115.3), a stat which could be greatly boosted by Malik Monk’s addition. He’s averaging 12.6 points so far this season but is coming off a year where he was a leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate before a late-season injury threw a spanner in the works.
Keegan Murray is a versatile do-it-all wing who’s averaging 12.8 points and 8.0 rebounds in a slow start this season. He’s the ideal solution to the Grizzlies’ enduring problem at the wing spot as a low-maintenance option who is willing to guard aggressively and can make regular shots when called upon. There’s room for Murray’s game to grow, so he could end up being the prized acquisition in this deal.
The first-round draft picks will carry a lot of value given they belong to the Kings, whose pick has been outside the lottery just once in the last 19 seasons. Getting two of them could be a slam-dunk deal for Memphis, provided they know how they’d replace Jackson’s outgoing production.
An Unlikely Deal With Great Potential
The Grizzlies have little incentive to trade Jackson Jr. right now unless it’s a price they’re blown away by. He’s a former DPOY entering his prime and has clearly added new facets to his game over the summer. However, that talent might be best used on the Kings given they desperately need a player of Jackson’s caliber to accompany Sabonis in the frontcourt.
The Grizzlies wouldn’t regret adding Monk and Murray in this deal alongside the picks, but giving up the most valuable asset in this deal will not be easy for them. But this deal could open up more frontcourt play for rookie Zach Edey, who’s already looking like one of the contenders for Rookie of the Year this season.
Promoting Edey’s development while putting a fast-paced sweet-shooting team around him and Morant might be the best move for the Grizzlies, with Monk adding crucial scoring off the bench while Murray provides reliable two-way play potentially as a starter.
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