Memphis Grizzlies: 3 potential trades to fill void left by injured Jaren Jackson Jr.

#1: John Collins

The final potential deal to find a replacement for Jackson Jr. while he is injured is John Collins. This would be an absolute home run if the Grizzlies could pull this off for the right price. It would create a new big three in Memphis and would give them one of if not the best young frontcourt in the entire NBA. It is likely that either once Jackson Jr. returned to the lineup, the Grizzlies would either trade current center Steven Adams or convince him to come off of the bench. Once Adams was benched or traded, Jackson Jr. would likely return as the center. Before Adams was added to the team, Jackson Jr. was the Grizzlies’ starting center. Although he is a little slim to be matched up against centers like Joel Embiid, Rudy Gobert, and Deandre Ayton, he will continue to put on muscle and adjust his game. Along with this, Jackson Jr. is crafty around the basket and could leverage those matchups with his quickness and athleticism.

The deal to get Collins to the team would likely be something like Steven Adams, Xavier Tillman, a 2023 Grizzlies first-round pick, a 2025 Grizzlies first-round pick, and a 2027 Grizzlies first-round pick. In return, they would receive John Collins and Maurice Harkless. Harkless would likely be waived from the Grizzlies. It has been one of the worst-kept secrets around the league that Collins has wanted out of Atlanta for over a year. With Dejounte Murray joining the team via a trade with the Spurs, Collins would likely be a third or fourth option for the Hawks and that is a role that he has made clear he is not comfortable being assigned. With that leverage, the Grizzlies may be able to land Collins for three firsts after giving up all of the draft capital that was necessary to add Murray to the team, Atlanta is in desperate need of getting some draft picks back. This would be a perfect deal to get them some of the picks back.

Collins would be a home run for the Grizzlies and well worth the draft haul they would have to give up. Depending on how big of a role he would end up playing in the offense, Collins could easily end up averaging 20 points per game for Memphis. Along with this, he is a great rebounder and an incredible rim protector. Lastly, Collins is a lethal lob threat. A high-flying pick and roll between Ja Morant and John Collins would be something of Grizzlies fans’ dreams.