Former Florida star Walter Clayton traded in blockbuster NBA deal, per report
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Former Florida NCAA Tournament hero Walter Clayton appears to be on the move again in his young NBA career.
Clayton, whose clutch shot making propelled the Gators to a national championship in 2025, has been included by the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster NBA trade that was reported by ESPN insider Shams Charania on Tuesday afternoon. In an apparent huge move just 2 days before the NBA trade deadline, Clayton is being dealt from the Jazz to the Memphis Grizzlies along with Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and 3 future first-round picks.
Heading to Utah in the reported deal is the linchpin of the trade, Jaren Jackson Jr., along with John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr.
If the reported trade does indeed become official, it would already be the second trade that Clayton is involved in. The first trade that featured Clayton came on the night he was drafted last June, when Clayton was taken with the 18th overall pick by the Washington Wizards and then shipped to the Jazz.
Now, the young Gainesville legend who was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player after that thrilling championship run last March and April is apparently on the move again, this time to Memphis.
Clayton spent 2 seasons at Florida after starting his collegiate career with 2 seasons at Iona.
He was averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season with the Jazz but only shooting 39.8% from the field. It looks like Clayton is headed for a change of scenery during his rookie season.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
