NBA Rumors: The 3 Title Contenders who want Jaren Jackson Jr

The situation of the Memphis Grizzlies continues to generate more and more noise in the NBA. If Ja Morant ends up leaving the franchise, it is far from clear that Jaren Jackson Jr. is willing to stay and lead a rebuild. That, at least, is the prevailing sentiment in league circles.

In the latest episode of ESPN's Hoop Collective podcast, Tim MacMahon raised a key question: whether Jackson Jr. truly wants to be part of Memphis' new project. While the club conveys that the rebuild revolves around him, there is debate in the league about whether that commitment is mutual.

Tim Bontemps went even further by questioning the appeal of the center's contract. In his view, given the current state of the franchise, it would not be wise to rush into assuming his salary, as it is uncertain how that deal will age over time. Jackson Jr. recently signed a five-year, $240 million contract, with only the first season completed.

Suspicions about a potential desire for Jackson Jr. to leave are not limited to ESPN. Just this week, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports pointed in the same direction: among rival executives, the idea is growing that the big man could be the next piece to fall if the Memphis project continues to dismantle.

Three potential destinations on the horizon

Facing this scenario, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report has identified three possible destinations that would suit Jackson Jr. if the Grizzlies were to entertain offers: Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers. All three are title contenders but also share a glaring need in the paint.

Boston traded for Kristaps Porzingis last summer, the Lakers parted ways with Anthony Davis last year in the deal for Luka Doncic, and Golden State has been without a truly impactful center for years. The big question is whether any of them would have enough assets to convince Memphis to part ways with their star big man.

In this context, the words of Rich Paul, agent and close friend of LeBron James, have caused a stir. In his podcast, he suggested that the Lakers should offer Austin Reaves in exchange for Jackson Jr., an idea that has not been well received within the Lakers organization. Johan Buha of The Athletic confirmed that there is real discontent within the Lakers' camp over those comments, although he avoided delving into further details.

With Ja Morant on the way out and Jaren Jackson Jr. under scrutiny, the Grizzlies are facing a summer—and a market—that could completely redefine the future of the franchise.