The Atlanta Hawks just saw a division rival make a blockbuster trade, yet it is them who could take advantage. The Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
That has left Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. on watch.
“The next question is what about Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.? And I don’t know the answer to this. This is something that we’re just starting to trying to figure out with this trade,” Windhorst reported on “SportsCenter” on June 15, per Bleacher Report’s Zach Bachar.
“The whole league is now going to investigate this. We haven't heard from the Grizzlies yet and if I was at the Grizzlies’ press conference this is the No. 1 question I would be asking. I wouldn't be asking about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, I wouldn’t be asking about Cole Anthony, I wouldn't be asking about those four first-round picks. I’d be asking, ‘Do you intend to extend Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., both of whom are extension-eligible this summer? Is that what you’re doing now or are you pivoting the franchise?’ So, to me, that's the big story emanating out of this trade.”
Hawks' ideal target could hit trade block
Now, it must be clearly stated that the move sending out Bane has not been accompanied by any word that the Grizzlies are indeed looking to move either Morant or Jackson.
For the Hawks, they have their own polarizing dynamo point guard in Trae Young.
Jackson, the 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year, however, could be exactly what the Hawks are looking for, if not better. Jackson turns 26 in September and averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc.
Most pertinent to the Hawks and their rumored interests this offseason, Jackson is just two seasons removed from leading the league in blocks in back-to-back seasons.
His numbers have dipped in the past two seasons.
That aligns with the emergence of fellow big man Santi Aldama and, this past season at least, the arrival of 2024 first-round pick Zach Edey. The Hawks had three players tie for the team lead in blocks with 1.0 per contest.
One of those players is starting power forward Jalen Johnson, who played in 35 games this past season due to injuries.
His fill-in, Mouhamed Gueye, and pending unrestricted free agent Clint Capela are the others.
Capela made the most appearances of the group, but he lost his starting spot to Onyeka Okongwu during the season and never returned to the lineup after suffering an injury, perhaps in anticipation of his foray into the open market.
The Hawks have been linked to Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, another floor-spacing shot-blocker. He is expected to remain with the NBA Finals participant now, though.
Like Turner, Jackson is not a great rebounder, which hurts his value.
However, if the Hawks were truly willing to explore trade options for Turner, then pivoting to Jackson makes sense. It would be prudent even if the more veteran option had not begun trending toward re-upping with Indy. Make the deal and worry about the rotation later.
The cost could be exorbitant, which the Hawks must be leery of. But Windhorst also reported the Magic paid to offload Caldwell-Pope’s contract, sending out four unprotected first-rounders (yikes!).
He does not expect this trade to inflate Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant’s cost, either.
That could bode well for teams now hoping the Grizzlies are ready for what would be a major pivot from their top two stars. If Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh has the notion, putting a call in to his Grizzlies counterpart, Zach Kleiman, cannot hurt.