The first true stunner of trade season is here, and it revolves around sending Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Utah Jazz. The cost? Some role players and three first-round picks. The Milwaukee Bucks should be happy about this one. If Jackson can go for three first-rounders, they do not have any reason to move Giannis Antetokounmpo for pennies on the dollar.
Jackson trade should be the starting point for Bucks in Giannis deal
Jackson is a good player. In his career, he's averaged 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per outing. His resume includes two All-Star selections, three All-Defensive nods, and a Defensive Player of the Year win. The Jazz clearly feel like he is the type of player who can help them climb back into contention and were willing to pay accordingly.
Now, the Jazz did have to pay a little extra because they didn't send over any of their most potential-filled players. Had they, Jackson likely would have cost just a first-rounder or two instead of three. Still, the Grizzlies got a haul for the forward.
If that's how much Utah gave up for Jackson, how much might other teams be willing to move for a player like Giannis? While Jackson is good, he's no Greek Freak. The Milwaukee Bucks should be looking to steal the asset treasure chest in its entirety from anyone on the hunt for Giannis this trade season. He's one of the best players in the world. The Bucks aren't eager to move off of him.
Even before seeing how much Jackson went for, it was laughable to see proposals in which teams like the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves were getting Giannis despite having so few draft picks at their disposal. Not a chance. Giannis should command at least three to four firsts, swaps, AND a blue-chip prospect or two. That's the type of deal where the Bucks start to take you seriously.
The problem is that the Golden State Warriors are the only team that could offer a deal with the type of draft capital the Bucks would like. Everyone else is running low until they can gain access to more in the summer. That's not Milwaukee's problem. The Jazz figured it out for Jackson. Interested teams can figure it out for Giannis.
Hours before this trade, The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required) reported that offers made to the Bucks are believed to be so underwhelming that this saga may drag out into the summer. If so, so be it. The Milwaukee Bucks can now point to this deal when teams send them offers over the next several days before the deadline, giving them even more leverage in discussions.
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