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Understandably so, Jaren Jackson Jr. got all the headlines after the Utah Jazz acquired him in the trade with the Memphis Grizzlies that shocked the NBA on Tuesday.
But now that the shock has somewhat settled, it’s important to take a look at the two other new players that are joining the Jazz roster.
Originally the Jazz brought over four players in the trade — Jackson, John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr. and Jock Landale — but they quickly made another deal that sent Landale to the Atlanta Hawks.
That means we still haven’t talked much at all about the new additions of Konchar and Williams.
Konchar was a cool development story for the Grizzlies. He went undrafted in 2019, signed a two-way with the Grizzlies and then signed a multiyear standard deal in 2020. Slowly he became a steady and regular part of the Grizzlies’ rotation on the wing.
At 29, and on a deal that expires after next season ($6.1 million per year), there’s little risk to keeping Konchar around, and he’s proven that he’s a bit of a do-it-all kind of guy when he’s played in meaningful games.
Even if he doesn’t have a real future with the Jazz, he will at least be a steadying veteran player that could help steer some of the younger players through the rest of the season. Really, a nice swap-out for Kyle Anderson.
Williams brings a little more intrigue. He most recently made headlines for having a heated exchange with Ja Morant during practice when the team was in Berlin for a European NBA showcase, but he’s been a pretty important part of the rotation, especially in the Morant-less games, of which there have been many.
There’s a lot of defensive upside with Williams, who was a second-round pick in 2022, and if he pans out as someone who could really fit into the Jazz’s rotation, defense and youth on the wing would be welcomed.
I think it’s also worth noting that any dips in efficiency or production from any players on a team like the Grizzlies from the last couple of years should be taken with a grain of salt. Think about what some people thought and said about Lauri Markkanen last year, that he wasn’t as good.
But the Jazz were horrible, were purposefully bad, and that meant that defenses could really go after anyone who was remotely good or important (i.e. Markkanen). And it is absolutely human nature to not play well when the team around you is spiraling or falling to the basement.
Well, the Grizzlies have had their superstar embroiled in controversy, scandal and trade rumors for years and now they’re on a steep path straight to the bottom of the standings. I’m giving a pass on any kind of dip in production from the players until they show that it is more than just a product of their environment.
New with the Jazz
From the archives
Extra points
- Egor Dëmin dominates in win over Jazz, reflects on his time at BYU (Deseret News)
- Jazz acquiring Lonzo Ball, expected to waive him (Deseret News)
- Jazz narrowly lose to Hawks in homecoming for Isaiah Collier and Ace Bailey (Deseret News)
Around the league
- Anthony Davis traded from Mavericks to Wizards
- Clippers send James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland
- Reactions and grades for every trade deadline transaction
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- Feb. 12 | 7 p.m. MST | Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers | KJZZ