The Memphis Grizzlies’ decision to trade Jaren Jackson Jr. stunned the locker room, and Cedric Coward revealed he was standing next to the All-Star when the news broke.
In an interview with HoopsHype’s Sam Yip, Coward described the moment he realized the franchise had shifted direction.
“I was right next to him,” Coward said. “We were walking up the stairs, going to practice, and next thing you know, he’s turning around, walking down the stairs. And I was like, ‘Oh, okay, what’s going on?’ Next thing you know, you hear the news from our coaches. And then we just shared a moment in the locker room. You’re like brothers, man. And that’s where all my teammates, Vince [Williams], Jock [Landale], Jitty [John Konchar], like all of them, like you share a moment with those guys, like understanding what they meant to you. Even though you didn’t know them long, they got a special place in my heart for sure.”
The deal sent Jackson, John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks.
Memphis had previously finalized a renegotiate-and-extend agreement with Jackson worth $240 million over five years, but the organization pivoted toward a deeper rebuild.
At the time of the trade, Jackson was averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 45 games while shooting 47.5% from the field and 35.9% from three. The 26-year-old remains one of the league’s premier two-way big men.
The Grizzlies are 20-33 and 11th in the Western Conference. Ja Morant leads the group with 19.5 points and 8.1 assists, while Coward has emerged as a consistent contributor at 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in 48 appearances.
From a basketball standpoint, the move signals a long-term reset. Memphis acquired multiple first-round selections, including the most favorable 2027 pick among Utah, Minnesota and Cleveland, plus the Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder and the Suns’ 2031 first-rounder.
Utah immediately integrated Jackson into its frontcourt. However, the Jazz later announced he will undergo surgery to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis growth in his left knee, ending his 2025-26 season.
For Memphis, the departure of a former Defensive Player of the Year alters both identity and timeline.
