MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. detailed the moment he learned of his trade to the Utah Jazz and reflected on nearly eight seasons in Memphis in a first-person essay for The Players’ Tribune.
Jackson said general manager Zach Kleiman summoned him to inform him of the deal, adding that he immediately understood the purpose of the meeting. “Well, what now? Can I go back upstairs and say bye?” he recalled asking after the conversation ended. Jackson wrote that his final locker-room exchange with teammates felt surreal, realizing he was joking around with them for the last time. “I was just laughing, deep down thinking, ‘Wow, I’m definitely gonna miss y’all boys.’”
Grizzlies stay the course
Before Saturday’s game, new head coach Tuomas Iisalo told reporters the franchise’s objectives remain unchanged despite Jackson’s departure and other roster moves. “The expectations have not changed… We still expect everybody to give max effort, max focus,” Iisalo said.
Pelicans rookie learning on the fly
New Orleans guard Jeremiah Fears acknowledged the club’s growing pains during an interview with HoopsHype but believes close losses will pay dividends. “Being able to lose to understand how to win, I think that’s huge,” the rookie said. “Once we learn how to finish, we’ll be really, really good.”
Murray nearing return
The Pelicans are targeting Tuesday’s matchup with Golden State for Dejounte Murray’s season debut, interim coach James Borrego told reporters. “I expect him to be there in the next couple games—hopefully it’s Tuesday night,” Borrego said.
Udoka wants fewer minutes for Durant
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka plans to trim Kevin Durant’s workload. Durant is averaging 36.7 minutes per game in his first season with Houston, and Udoka said he hopes to reduce that figure to roughly 33–34 minutes.
Source: HoopsRumors
