‘We Matter Again’: Utah Jazz Swing Big For Jaren Jackson Jr.
Feb 5, 2026, 12:15 PM | Updated: Feb 6, 2026, 10:09 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz appear ready to turn the page following an arduous four-year tank.
The end of a long rebuild was set in motion when the franchise, led by President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge, made a blockbuster trade to acquire former All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr., which suggests the Jazz will seek to re-enter the NBA playoff landscape next season.
“We actually have a tombstone built, and we have the obituary written, and we know the expiration date,” Jazz radio play-by-play voice David Locke said during an exclusive appearance on The Zone Sports Network on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
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The giddy Locke couldn’t hide his excitement over the deal that brought the 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year to Utah.
“I never thought you were getting a two-time All-Star; I never thought you’re taking a $50 million contract,” Locke said. “It was at a magnitude so much larger than where I think any of our heads had been.”
Jazz trade deadline:
Incoming:
Jaren Jackson Jr.
John Konchar
Vince Williams
Chris Boucher (waived)
Lonzo Ball (waived)3 second round picks. 27 DEN, 28 CLE, 32 CLE
Outgoing:
Georges Niang
Kyle Anderson
Walt Clayton Jr.
Taylor Hendricks3 first round picks.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 5, 2026
To acquire the three-time All-NBA defender, the Jazz gave up Walt Clayton Jr., a 2025 first-round pick, a lottery ticket in 2023 first-round pick Taylor Hendricks, three additional first-round picks, and salary filler in Georges Niang and Kyle Anderson.
Jackson Jr. signed an extension with the Grizzlies last summer that will pay him $205 million dollars and keep him under team control through the 2028-29 season. He has a $53.5 million player option for 2029-30.
Jackson Jr.’s elite rim protection comes at a cost, with foul trouble being a consistent issue throughout his career.
RELATED: What Are the Utah Jazz Getting in Jaren Jackson Jr.?
Post deadline: This is the @UtahJazz roster.
PG: George/Collier/V. Williams
SG: Bailey/Sensabaugh/Mykhailiuk
SF: Markkanen/C. Williams/Konchar
PF: JJJ/Filipowski
C: Nurkic/Love/KesslerTW: Harkless, Tshiebwe, Tonje
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 5, 2026
He is averaging 3.8 fouls per game this season, the fourth-highest mark in the league, after committing a league-worst 3.5 fouls per game last season in Memphis.
Interestingly, Utah’s Walker Kessler averaged 4.4 fouls per game this year in an admittedly small five-game sample, leading the league.
That doesn’t dampen Locke’s enthusiasm, who believes the Jazz have officially shifted gears and are ready to put the pedal down, once again positioning themselves as Western Conference contenders.
“We’re competing. We’re viable. We’re relevant, and we matter,” Locke said. “Opening night next year will have excitement and possibility in a way we haven’t felt since the final season of Quin Snyder (2021-22),” Locke said.
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Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports
The Jazz continue their road swing in Atlanta, Georgia, against the Hawks on Thursday, February 5. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m. MT.
All Jazz games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) occasionally broadcasts Jazz games.
Utah Jazz fans can watch the team’s games next season for free over the air on KJZZ TV and can stream the games through a paid streaming-based platform on the team’s website. KJZZ is currently broadcast on channel 14.1.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10- 12 p.m. with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
