The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to accumulate as many assets for their rebuild and make a push into the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Ja Morant is one of those valuable players that they will be looking to move in order to do so, but Jackson Jr.’s potential has earned him interest from several teams including the Atlanta Hawks who have been struggling this season.
The “jaren jackson jr return” is a move that could change the game for Memphis. Ja Morant would be able to play more minutes and John Collins would be able to contribute more on offense.
Since general manager Travis Schlenk decided to have a firesale and declare everyone available except Trae Young and Clint Capela available, the Atlanta Hawks have been the subject of trade speculations for the last several weeks.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant has catapulted himself into the MVP debate and propelled his club closer to a title. The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t been linked to any specific trade rumors, but they do have the components to make a move if they so choose.
Perhaps a trade involving the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. and Atlanta’s John Collins would be beneficial to all sides.
The Atlanta Hawks have been a fixture in NBA trade speculation.
In the days preceding up to the deadline, Atlanta executed one deal, sending Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks. All indications point to that action being just the first of many.
The Hawks have been unimpressive thus far in 2021-22, particularly given the hype surrounding the team after their performance in the Eastern Conference Finals the previous season. However, as of Jan. 20, the squad is 19-25 and three games behind the Toronto Raptors for a play-in game berth.
“There are just (three) occasions we can make changes: the draft, free agency, and the trade deadline,” Schlenk said in an article on The Athletic earlier in January. It’s my obligation to put a winning product on the market, and right now, I’m not sure whether I’ve done that.”
Since then, trade speculations have swirled around the Atlanta Hawks.
Everyone but Young and Capela was available, according to a Bleacher Report report.
The Grizzlies would be wise to take advantage of Collins’ availability by swapping their young forward for Atlanta’s.
The Memphis Grizzlies might go closer to a title by acquiring John Collins.
The Atlanta Hawks’ John Collins reacts after dunking on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns. | Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Memphis might be OK with its current squad. Morant has essentially blasted into the scene, and the Grizzlies have gone 25-6 after a shaky start. There’s also an 11-game winning run in there.
The club is currently ranked third in the Western Conference.
However, a few of upgrades would increase the team’s chances of winning a title this season. Ja has shown that Memphis is the place to be for the future, and the club must adapt appropriately.
A move to Collins in place of Jackson Jr. would be a step in the right direction.
Because JJJ has a rookie agreement that begins next season, a deal would need some cap maneuvering. However, it may appear like this:
Memphis Grizzlies receive: John Collins, Gorgui Dieng
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Anderson, 2024 first-round pick swap via Golden State
Dieng’s $4 million expiring contract will move to Memphis in exchange for Anderson’s $9.9 million expiring contract and a future pick swap to sweeten the deal (the Grizzlies have three first-rounders this year alone and would still have one in 2024).
It’s all about the fit in this situation. Collins is more effective when paired with Morant, whereas Jackson Jr. is more effective when paired with Young.
The Hawks’ 24-year-old forward is one of the league’s top pick-and-roll players. Running the play with Ja instead of Trae would help Collins’ agility even more, as Morant’s downhill aggressiveness pulls several defenders, giving the Wake Forest product extra room.
Collins is also shooting 43.5 percent from beyond the arc this season, which will help him spread the floor around Ja. Collins would get his dream of more touches since the Grizzlies superstar is more willing to play off the ball and defer to his teammates than Trae is.
On the other side, Jackson Jr. has a far greater potential. While both players are very athletic, Atlanta’s forward is 6-foot-9, while Jackson is closer to 7 feet. JJJ is also a much better shot blocker this year, stuffing more than two shots each game and blocking five in a few games.
He’s also a 35.4 percent three-point shooter in his career, so he wouldn’t be cluttering the lane next to Capela.
Young fits more snugly next to a rim-protecting floor spacer than Collins does.
Both teams would benefit from a power forward switch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W 4XC4zg84g
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This would be a win-win situation for all parties. Schlenk gets a higher-potential player who fits better next to his franchise point guard in exchange for a disgruntled asset.
He also receives almost $10 million in cap space for next season, as well as a chance at a future first round pick.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies discover a better match for their franchise point guard in Collins, who is a more polished product than JJJ, boosting the team’s prospects of contending right now.
Memphis may have been making preparations for the future prior to the start of this season. Morant, on the other hand, has made it obvious that the future is now. So, as they say, it’s time to go for broke.
NBA.com provided all data.
RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: The Atlanta Hawks Seem Prepared to Completely Blow Up Their Roster Around Trae Young, as Everyone But Him and Clint Capela Is ‘Available.’
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