East team urged to trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. if Grizzlies 'bomb next season'

Already this week, Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. was the subject of arguably one of the most reprehensible blockbuster ideas one could have possibly imagined seeing this summer.

Now, just a few days later, it appears his name has once again been tabbed as a potential trade target for a particular Eastern Conference club.

In a recent piece penned by Piston Powered, site expert Aaron Kellerstrass discussed four franchises the Detroit Pistons may want to keep tabs on heading into 2024-25 should they "bomb next season."

Among those mentioned on his list were the Grizzlies, who he labeled as his "main team to watch" after they wrapped up 2023-24 with a putrid 27-55 record, finished as the 13 seed in the Western Conference standings, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

While many, including the league's odds-makers, are confident that Memphis can bounce back from their recent injury-plagued campaign and become a legitimate playoff threat once again, Kellerstrass is stressing Detroit should still be monitoring the team in the unfortunate event that they don't and, should this prove to be the case, he's urging Troy Weaver and co. to target Jackson in a potential deal.

Pistons urged to monitor availability of Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr.

"With only two years remaining on his deal, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the player the Pistons should target if the Grizzlies eventually go in a different direction. He’s good, he’s young and he’s a perfect modern big," Kellerstrass wrote.

Right off the bat, it must be stated before Knicks, Pistons, and, frankly, any other big man-needy fanbases get any more ideas: Jaren Jackson Jr. is as safe as it gets with this Grizzlies organization.

Throughout his six-year tenure with the club, the power forward has established himself as one of the most promising young talents in the entire association and, over the last three seasons, has achieved incredible successes highlighted by an All-Star nod, two All-Defensive First-Team selections, a Defensive Player of the Year award and high-end averages of 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.

On top of this, he's still only 24 years old and is under contract for two more years with his very manageable $104.7 million deal.

Last season's hardships were due, in large, to the team's slew of health-related issues.

From Ja Morant and Jackson to lesser buzzed-about studs like Luke Kennard, the Grizzlies were forced toward a record-setting number of players suiting up for the team as a result of their ridiculously extensive injury list.

So why is it that people are talking about the team blowing up their foundation when they've only proven capable of excelling when fully intact?

Since the 2020-21 season, the key trio of Morant, Jackson, and Desmond Bane has guided Memphis to three playoff berths, two Southwest Division titles, and just their fourth semifinal berth in franchise history.

Even this past season, fans bore witness to what this Grizzlies team could be when spearheaded by their star players, as they went 6-3 during the nine games Morant was available for and rattled off their longest win-streak of the season at five.

Now, with all three expected to be a full go from day one, along with the returning talents of GG Jackson, Vince Williams Jr., and Marcus Smart, as well as the recent addition of presumed new franchise center Zach Edey, not only should the expectation be a redemption season out in Memphis but, realistically, a potential deep playoff excursion as well.

Assuming they're completely healthy heading into 2024-25, it's hard to believe that Taylor Jenkins' team will "bomb," as Kellerstrass put it, let alone be interested in offloading one of their core players like Jaren Jackson Jr. anytime soon.