In the wake of Memphis’s blockbuster trade sending Desmond Bane packing for four first-rounders and two players, the Grizzlies appear primed for a roster reset. With Desmond Bane now in Orlando, frontcourt stalwart and former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. could soon join the conversation.
Jackson, just 25 and set to hit restricted free agency next summer, would be their most valuable asset outside of Ja Morant. He is coming off a season averaging 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, so he can be a game-changer in the right situation.
Enter the New York Knicks, who have long eyed a defensive anchor to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns and close the gap on Indiana and Boston in the Eastern Conference. The timing couldn’t be better: Memphis might not fetch a haul as loud as what Orlando offered for Bane, but Jackson’s elite shot‑blocking and floor-spacing make him a coveted target.
If the Knicks strike, they’d unlock a dream frontcourt, an imposing two‑man tandem in Towns and Jackson that would allow Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby to roam the perimeter. It’s a calculated move in Big Apple circles: a homegrown duo designed to dominate both ends of the floor, all without sacrificing their backcourt’s freedom. Let’s dive into it.
Proposed Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, 2025 No. 50 overall pick
New York Knicks Create Stacked Frontcourt And Title-Contending Lineup
Land Jaren Jackson Jr., and the Knicks instantly plug a superstar defender beside Karl-Anthony Towns, turning New York into arguably the best frontcourt in the East. Jackson, a 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time NBA blocks leader (3.0 BPG in 2022–23), also stretches the floor, posting 37.5% from deep in 2024-25. Towns, meanwhile, nailed 42% from three this season, offering a lethal combo of range and rim presence.
This pairing doesn’t just look good on paper; it solves schematic mismatches. Jackson’s rim protection and floor-spacing free Towns to operate as a center, while recalibrating the lineup to let perimeter players like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby roam the arc. When Towns shifted to the four in Minnesota, efficiency dipped, but in New York, surrounded by elite wing defenders and spacing, that dip could reverse.
Adding Jackson transforms the Knicks from legitimate Eastern contenders into favorites. With Brunson (an All-Star in 2025), Towns, and Jackson, New York adds a top-tier two-way anchor and spacing focal point, allowing the frontcourt to dominate the paint and the perimeter simultaneously. It’s a fusion of elite rim protection, shotmaking, and defensive versatility built to challenge the Celtics and Sixers.
Memphis Grizzlies Continue Their Rebuild And Get Something For Jackson Jr.
Memphis’s blockbuster Bane trade brought in four first-round picks and veterans like Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, signaling a shift toward flexibility. Jaren Jackson Jr., set to hit restricted free agency next summer and currently on a $147 million extension, would command a supermax deal, something Memphis may want to avoid. Obviously, they also don’t want to lose him for nothing.
While Jackson won’t net the haul Bane did, he carries high trade value. As a 25-year-old DPOY and All-Star, he remains a premier asset who would attract a strong package, vital draft picks, or young depth players. That kind of return supports their pivot without long-term mortgage flexibility.
For a Grizzlies team firing coach Taylor Jenkins and facing a first-round exit, trading Jackson could accelerate rebuilding. It assures Memphis that they’d recoup tangible assets ahead of losing him in restricted free agency and reset the clock around Ja Morant’s recovery.
A Blockbuster Trade Idea That Makes Knicks Favorites To Win The East In 2025-26
Imagine a deal sending veteran wings and future picks for Jackson, it instantly vaults the Knicks to Eastern favorites. Their current core has proven itself: elite-level perimeter creation from Brunson, spacing from Towns, plus defensive versatility on the wings. Add Jackson’s elite paint presence, and the blueprint turns into a full championship blueprint.
This trade would also unlock New York’s role-player bench. With perimeter threats intact and a dominant frontcourt, they can deploy smaller lineups with Brunson and Anunoby without sacrificing paint defense. It alleviates previous mismatches and gives coach Thibodeau multiple lineup permutations to punish Boston and Milwaukee.
In effect, the Knicks would be reshaped into the East’s most balanced title contender, a lethal two-way big man combo, elite wing defense, plus a playmaking backcourt. With momentum from KAT’s addition already validated, the next move is obvious: turn up the heat and chase Indiana, Boston, and Cleveland for the 1st seed in the East for the foreseeable future.
