It's been two months since the Utah Jazz went all out to get Jaren Jackson Jr.. Even though JJJ only played in three games before his season ended, all that did was feed into the hype for next season. It will be months before the hype had died down, but the trade has only continued to age like wine.
It stopped Utah from trying their hand at signing Austin Reaves this summer (which would have failed), and Walter Clayton Jr. hasn't exactly taken advantage of his new role in Grind City. However, a new development has only made the Jazz look smarter: Kyle Filipowski's breakout.
The Jazz's tank has allowed Filipowski to spread his wings a bit. It might be empty calories, but Utah's sophomore has dazzled with a bigger role, even if it will only be temporary.
So what does that have to do with the JJJ trade? Simple: Memphis should have asked for him in the deal. Evidently, the Grizzlies' focus was more on getting draft assets than young players, but Filipowski could have helped them feel a tad more optimistic about their future going forward.
While he may not necessarily be a star in the making, Filipowski is on a trajectory similar to Naz Reid, i.e., being a useful asset on a playoff contender. That's the kind of young player a rebuilding team like the Grizzlies could have had as they tried to build a better tomorrow.
More than anything, Memphis only wanted two Jazz youngsters. Considering it was one of the league's best two-way bigs, why didn't they ask for more and with what they were going to lose in their frontcourt, why not ask for Filipowski?
Filipowski will either be a core piece or an excellent trade asset
Because the Grizzlies apparently didn't want Filipowski in the deal, the Jazz now have the opportunity to have someone as useful as him on a cost-controlled contract for the next two years. They have two ways to go about it: either see what they have in him as the switch flips or trade him in a separate deal for an upgrade and/or someone who fits better.
Utah's future is in such good hands that Filipowski alone is an embarrassment of riches on their roster. Their frontcourt is already locked and loaded for next season (pending on if/when Walker Kessler signs on the dotted line) that FIlipowski truly feels like a bonus for them.
The Grizzlies are in a tough spot right now because it's clear they want to start fresh, and Filipowski could have at least given them some hope. The same hope that the Jazz now have a plethora of at this point.