The Utah Jazz acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. in a blockbuster trade with the Memphis Grizzlies right before the NBA trade deadline.
Not even two weeks later, the Jazz revealed that Jackson will be out for some time as he is undergoing surgery due to finding a localized PVNS growth.
After the news came out about Jackson’s surgery, fans immediately had the same thought: The tank process is in full force.
High level tanking going on in Utah https://t.co/Jmh4V4MVHJ
— Hoop Narrative Podcast (@Hoop_Narrative) February 12, 2026
https://t.co/QkJn5GnLEC pic.twitter.com/WvENExl1Ko
— Bola Presa (@bolapresa) February 12, 2026
The tank continues https://t.co/HdpKPdMsQ7 pic.twitter.com/PVae4rKCLL
— Wood🤙🏽 (@bruhonco) February 12, 2026
most obvious tank job ever not even trying to hide it well 😭 https://t.co/C2mPeYhoSP
— Caden (@Howell17Caden) February 12, 2026
The tank is on… goodness gracious this Post-ASB NBA is going to be insufferable. https://t.co/iI36fYtxst
— Faxon Childress🎙️ (@FaxonPxP) February 12, 2026
The Jazz have been front and center in the tanking conversations, and this will only circulate those conversations more.
The Jazz went just 3-14 in January and have started February off with a 3-3 record. However, Jazz coach Will Hardy sat Jackson and Lauri Markkanen in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat on Monday, although the Jazz somehow won the game.
After the Jazz won on Monday, Hardy said he wasn’t close to putting Markkanen back in the game, sparking even more questions about the tanking strategy in Utah.
On Saturday, the Jazz led the Orlando Magic after three quarters, but Jackson, Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic sat out the entire fourth quarter as the Magic won the game 120-117.
However, Jackson’s surgery is to treat a tumor, and although it is being labeled as benign, getting surgery makes sense.
Injury expert Jesse Morse gave some details about the surgery that Jackson is undergoing, and said the tumor can cause “progressive cartilage destruction,” so getting it taken care of as early as possible is a good move.
So, while some are saying this is another part of Utah’s tank job, it makes sense for the Jazz and Jackson to get the surgery done as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
The Jazz announced that Jackson’s surgery will take place over the NBA All-Star break.
