Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will have season-ending surgery to remove a growth in his left knee, a source told ESPN on Thursday. The growth -- a pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) -- was discovered in an MRI during a physical after he was traded to the Jazz from the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 3, a source told ESPN.
The Jazz envision Jackson forming a long-term frontcourt partnership with top scorer Lauri Markkanen that promises to create size and length mismatches against many opponents. Jackson, who earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023, embraces the idea of playing a pivotal role in helping Utah finally make the transition from lottery team to future playoff contender.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to trade Lonzo Ball and two second-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Ball's agent, Rich Paul, and the Jazz are expected to discuss his future soon, sources told Charania. Utah agreed to another trade Wednesday, sending center Jock Landale to the Atlanta Hawks for cash considerations, sources told Charania.