Jaren Jackson Jr. Gives an Official Goodbye to Memphis

The Memphis Grizzlies are two-thirds of the way done with “blowing it up”. Their core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane is finished. They had a couple of exciting playoff runs, but the Grizzlies decided that that was as far as the core could take them. Bane was traded this summer and JJJ was traded during this year’s trade deadline.

JJJ recently submitted an article to The Players’ Tribune talking about the end of his time in Memphis and how hard it was to say goodbye. 

“Eight years with the Grizzlies organization, with this CITY, these fans…… It’s been a journey. When we were rolling, there was nothing you could say. Nothing. FedExForum was JUMPING. If you don’t remember that, then I guess you just weren’t really there. But I guess it’s like they say: All good things must come to an end. I remember after getting the news, I walked in the locker room looking at my phone, about to shower. I already had a text from Lauri, welcoming me to Utah. But one thing I’ll never forget was a moment in the locker room before I left, when everyone was joking around again. And it was just so weird because in my head it was like, Wow, this is the last time I’m gonna see this.”

JJJ played some great years in Memphis, and at times, their team captured something special. However, now JJJ has the chance to start something new with a promising young core. This time, JJJ will be the veteran leader, a role he hasn’t really ever had to play. 

The Jazz gave up some real assets to get him, so hopefully he can play that role well.