Jaren Jackson Jr. recently opened up on the Desmond Bane trade that happened earlier this offseason. Unlike his co-star, Ja Morant, Jackson said he wasn’t surprised when the Memphis Grizzlies completed the trade.
The Memphis Grizzlies received a haul from the Bane trade, as they acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony (who eventually went to the Milwaukee Bucks), a first-round pick of this summer’s draft that they traded to the Portland Trail Blazers (which became Yang Hansen), three future first-round picks, and a 2029 first-round pick swap.
“I wasn’t too much surprised,” Jackson told Rohan Nadkarni of NBC News. “I mean, when your brothers leave, you are still going to hurt, just because you’re a human being. But at the end of the day, it’s a business. And we’re grown.”
Jackson is expected to have a bigger leadership role this upcoming season, especially after signing a $239.9 million contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason. He is under contract with the team for the next five seasons.
Memphis Grizzlies News: Jaren Jackson Jr. opens up on being one of the team’s top leaders
Jaren Jackson Jr. is entering his eighth NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies. Besides changing his jersey number, the former Defensive Player of the Year is poised to take on a greater leadership role in the wake of Desmond Bane’s exit.
“You’re going to get closer to your prime, and things are going to change for you,” Jackson said. “I feel like this is a good starting point for a whole new journey of stuff. I’m approaching this year with that spearheaded, disciplined mindset of trying to get us to the promised land.”
“Whoever’s in the locker room is in your foxhole, and that’s where you’re going to war with,” he added. “What are your habits? What are your techniques? Are you willing to share? Are you willing to talk? Who are the leaders? It’s simple, but it’s not easy.”
