It is by no means a boring business season for Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazzand as we inch nearer to the NBA deadline in early February, the swirling rumors are well timed on this staff struggling to remain afloat within the Western Convention.
With only a 5-20 document, good for 14th within the West, the Jazz are poised to be among the many prime sellers available on the market on the commerce deadline. They’ve some intriguing veterans to promote for the suitable worth, and even just a few younger items which have generated some curiosity across the league.
Because of this, it seems opposing common managers have been calling, or no less than being attentive to what the Jazz might need to supply in a possible deal over the following few weeks of the season.
In line with Athletics and NBA insider Jovan BuhaTHE Los Angeles Lakers have been among the many groups to say when circling just a few potential gamers on the Jazz roster. Particularly, evidently the Lakers are very occupied with Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton.
As The Athletic beforehand reported, a Lakers commerce is extra probably later in January or early February earlier than the deadline, giving Los Angeles extra time to judge the roster and see if injured gamers like Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wooden can fill in for a few of the injured gamers. holes within the rotation… Names which have come up in discussions with staff and league personnel in current weeks embody Utah’s Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton.
– Jovan Buha, Athletics
The Lakers are firmly entrenched within the Western Convention playoff image with a 14-12 document, however might nonetheless use just a few extra items on each side of the ball to solidify their place as a severe playoff contender subsequent spring . Utah has just a few contributors who might assist their trigger, nevertheless it could possibly be tough to persuade them to pry one, or each, away from Sexton or Kessler.
Kessler seems to be the extra unlikely of the 2 to be moved. The third-year middle is presently having a profession yr in Salt Lake Metropolis as an integral a part of the beginning 5, becoming like a glove into the timeline of this rebuild. Except this entrance workplace has reservations about extending the younger huge man subsequent offseason (which might be a shock), his future appears cemented with the Jazz.
Sexton, nevertheless, makes a extra attention-grabbing case. Though, like Kessler, he was additionally the most effective items on a largely unsuccessful Jazz staff, he may also must earn a contract on the finish of subsequent season. If Utah wished to capitalize on his worth early on, there’s an opportunity an opposing staff might purchase his companies, nevertheless it will not be straightforward.
For the Lakers, just a few younger prospects on the roster could possibly be attention-grabbing, and even a part of their future draft capital ready to be distributed. The Jazz already maintain their protected first-rounder for 2027, so including to their stockpile of Los Angeles draft picks could possibly be engaging to Ainge and Co.
Nonetheless, it stays largely a wait-and-see scenario to see how the Jazz method this yr’s deadline. Preserve an in depth eye on Utah main as much as the league commerce deadline, which takes place on February 6, 2025.
Observe In Jazz on Fb And Twitter/X.
Subscribe to YouTube for the newest Jazz information movies and reside streams!
