Basketball fans, you can put those reunion daydreams on hold. Despite a recent feel-good moment that had the NBA world buzzing, the idea of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. teaming up again—this time in a Utah Jazz uniform—is being quickly shot down.
The speculation kicked off when Morant and Jackson, who spent nearly seven seasons together as cornerstones of the Memphis Grizzlies, were spotted courtside supporting their former teammate Desmond Bane during an Orlando Magic playoff game. It was a nostalgic scene that naturally got fans wondering: could the dynamic duo reunite in Salt Lake City?
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the answer is a firm no. "My sense is no," Stein reported, citing league sources. The Jazz are reportedly not considered a likely landing spot for Morant. Utah is already building its backcourt around emerging star Keyonte George, and with Memphis expected to ramp up efforts to trade Morant in the coming weeks, the Jazz don't appear to be in the mix.
This all stems from a massive roster shakeup in Memphis. Last June, the Grizzlies kicked off their rebuild by trading Desmond Bane to the Magic in a deal that netted them four unprotected first-round picks. Then, just before this year's trade deadline, they sent Jackson and three other players to Utah in exchange for three more first-rounders and additional players. It's clear the Grizzlies are collecting assets and turning the page.
Morant remains the biggest piece left on the board. He has two years and roughly $87 million remaining on the five-year, $197.2 million max extension he signed in 2022. However, his tenure in Memphis has been marred by a series of injuries and suspensions for off-court incidents, making his future one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.
With the NBA draft scheduled for June 23-24, the rumor mill is already heating up. A trade involving the former No. 2 overall pick could very well be the headline event of the summer. For now, though, the image of Morant and Jackson cheering together is just a memory—not a preview of what's to come.