NBA fans love utilizing a good trade machine to create the dream team for what their teams could be as they wish to watch their teams play this same time next year. Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a hot topic in the fans' stratosphere as his All-NBA omission had huge ramifications on his future with the team.
He needed to make one of the three All-NBA teams to qualify for the five-year, $345 million supermax contract if the Grizzlies ultimately agreed to sign him to that full amount. While Jaren Jackson Jr.'s resume includes three NBA All-Defensive team selections (two first team selections), two All-Star game appearances, and a Defensive Player of the Year award in seven seasons, paying him the full supermax might not have been the best move for the team.
However, after getting his first contract on a bargain deal that declined every year due to his early career injury concerns, Jackson Jr. looked like a good candidate to qualify for the supermax with his early-season success. Due to what transpired and the Grizzlies only being able to negotiate and extend Jaren to a four-year deal up to $190 million this offseason before risking him testing unrestricted free agency next season, a Detroit Pistons fan suggested they inquire about trading for the All-Star big man.
The Classic "Who Says No?"
The Memphis Grizzlies have indicated nothing about dealing Jaren away, as general manager Zach Kleiman stated that he was "absolutely a priority" for the team moving forward in his exit interview. Jaren Jackson Jr. also expressed his love for remaining in Memphis, as it is the only city he's stayed in his NBA career.
However, that didn't stop a Pistons fan (@AriWagner__) from projecting a trade scenario for Jaren Jackson Jr. to make a move to the Motor City on X (formerly Twitter).
With Jaren Jackson Jr. missing All-NBA—and ineligible for a supermax—Detroit is exploring a trade for the Grizzlies All-Star. The Pistons are keeping Cade, Ausar, and Duren off the table, but could build a deal around Ivey, Stewart, and picks per sources.
— Ari Wagner (@AriWagner_) May 23, 2025
He didn't use a trade machine to match salaries for a deal, but considered the Pistons would build a package around Isaiah Stewart, Jaden Ivey, and picks, "per sources." Too many suggested trade moves by fans aren't realistic, and the poll results showed exactly why, with Memphis saying no getting 78.5% of the 893 votes.
Keeping Cade Cunningham is a non-negotiable for sure, but Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson would have to be on the table to either package together or one with Ivey, along with picks, to even get the conversations started to acquire the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year recipient. It is going to be a long offseason, so this is only the first of likely many trade proposals that will be seen until the Grizzlies and Jackson Jr. agree to a contract extension.