The Utah Jazz have announced that forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will undergo surgery to remove a growth in his left knee. The procedure is likely to keep him out of action for the duration of the regular season.
“The growth was identified in a post-trade physical with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),” the team announced. “Upon consultation with multiple medical experts, Jackson Jr., his representation, and the Jazz determined the procedure would take place in the coming days over NBA All-Star break.”
The former defensive player of the year joined the Jazz at the NBA trade deadline after a blockbuster deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Currently averaging 19.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game this season, JJJ’s playing time since coming to Utah has become the source of much discussion in NBA circles.
Jackson is reported to have not been feeling any discomfort in his knee, but has been on a tight minutes restriction, and has been sitting out 4th quarters. Utah, who are currently 18-37 on the season, are 8 games back of the final play in spot in the Western Conference. However, accusations of tanking efforts have been thrown around the blogosphere and talking head circuits of late.
“NBA tanking hit what seems to have been a breaking point over the weekend when the Utah Jazz — who just acquired former All-Star and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. — decided to rest their starters and essentially blow a surefire win against the Orlando Magic,” said NBA pundit David Dennis Jr. “The Jazz were ahead entering the fourth quarter, and Jackson and Lauri Markkanen had combined for 49 points. Suddenly, both players were benched and the Magic were able to win.”
“It didn’t take a basketball savant to realize what was happening: The Jazz were executing a blatant tank to help secure their draft position.”
For their part, Utah has told reporters that although the growth in Jackson’s knee wasn’t currently an issue, that their medical staff believe that if left untreated, it would inevitably cause larger problems down the road. With 4 seasons and $205M remaining on his deal, there’s an argument to be made that the club is simply protecting their investment.
However, for draft enthusiasts, there’s more at play than simply getting ahead of a potential future issue. Utah needs their upcoming selection to land in the top 8 picks in order for it to be protected thanks to a previous deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Back in 2021, Utah traded Derrick Favours along with their 2026 1st round pick to the Thunder in exchange for a 2027 2nd rounder and cash considerations in what essentially amounted to a salary dump. Fast forward 5 years, and the Jazz suddenly find themselves near the bottom of the NBA standings, and at risk of losing their 1st rounder to boot.
Players suffer injuries all the time, and tanking is nothing new to the NBA. In fact, some would argue it’s one of the league’s largest and most rampant issues. However in this situation, where a team is blatantly holding back a (currently) healthy star, and shutting him down altogether for preventative surgery, one can assume that this won’t be the last that we’ll be hearing of the decision to have Jackson undergo this procedure.
Photo: Colin Hooten. This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Colin Hooten, at the English Wikipedia project. This applies worldwide.