Windhorst Says 'No Chance' Lakers Get Jaren Jackson Jr. amid NBA Trade Rumors

Perhaps Los Angeles Lakers fans envisioned the Memphis Grizzlies going into firesale mode and moving all of their key contributors after they traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, but they reportedly shouldn't expect their team to land Jaren Jackson Jr. in a trade.

"No chance. No chance," ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Monday's episode of Get Up (6:30 mark) when asked if Los Angeles could acquire Jackson. "Absolutely not worth a discussion. Look, I think Jaren Jackson is now in position to sign a contract extension of over $200 million. I would feel very strongly that's going to happen."

The 2025-26 campaign is set to be the final one on Jackson's current deal, but ESPN's Tim Bontemps also reported the team is looking to give him an extension.

Bontemps noted Memphis is "not looking to deal either" Jackson or Ja Morant despite moving Bane. That seems to suggest a full-scale rebuild isn't in the cards and the front office will instead look to use the draft capital it acquired from Orlando and build around Morant and Jackson.

That's an unfortunate development for the Lakers, who likely need a quality big if they are going to realistically contend in a daunting Western Conference next season.

While LeBron James and Luka Dončić make up quite the tandem, it was clear in the team's first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that the lack of formidable size in the frontcourt limits the overall ceiling even with those two superstars in place.

Jackson would be quite the answer to the team's problems, as he is just 25 years old with a resume that includes a Defensive Player of the Year, two All-Star selections, two block titles and three All-Defensive nods.

He averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game last season and could improve in the coming years. 

It just doesn't seem like that improvement will happen on the Lakers.