The Utah Jazz could be a big mover at the trade deadline with reports they are willing to move nearly every player on their roster.
Despite being one of the early surprise packets of the NBA season, veteran reporter Marc Stein reports there is “rising belief” that the Jazz would be open to trade talks on everyone bar Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
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MORE NBA NEWS Lakers make crucial first move as LeBron gets helping hand for play-off push ‘Never seen that’: Aussie at centre of controversial finish – NBA Wrap The Jazz currently sit in ninth position in the Western Conference and while being in the mix for the play-in are understood to want to continue down the path of a full rebuild after trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in the off-season. “With less than three weeks to go before the trade deadline, teams regarded as clear-cut sellers at the deadline remain in short supply,” Stein wrote. “Yet there is a rising belief league-wide that Utah is open to listening to trade pitches for anyone on the roster not named Lauri Markkanen or Walker Kessler.” Markrkanen is enjoying his best season in the NBA, averaging 24.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 44 games. Kessler, meanwhile, was part of the trade package that delivered Gobert to the Timberwolves. He has since established himself as a legitimate big man in the league. Another team who could be ready to pull the trigger on their team is the Charlotte Hornets. Stein reports that the Hornets, languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, are “prepared to take calls” on veterans Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and Kelly Oubre Jr. WOLVES LINKED TO MOVE AFTER TRADE DISASTER The Miami Heat are reportedly interested in Minnesota Timberwolves point guard D’Angelo Russell. Yahoo Sports Jake Fisher reported the Eastern Conference contender could be willing to trade for Russell and his expiring $31.3 million ($44.5m AUD) contract. The Wolves have been one of the biggest disappointments of the NBA season after making a big off-season move to acquire Rudy Gobert from the Jazz. The Wolves gave up Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and four first-round picks as well as a 2026 pick swap for Gobert who has struggled with his new team. Green DROPS POWELL in Mavs v Clippers | 00:23 It prompted NBA analyst Bill Simmons to label it the “worst trade in NBA history” recently. Now the Wolves look like making another move in a bid to free up space in their cap. Trading Russell now before he becomes a free agent would allow the Wolves to retain open cap space and therefore flexibility in the open market. Marc Stein added to report on what a deal with Miami could look like. “Trading for Russell, though, would almost certainly require the Wolves take back Kyle Lowry, who has one more season after this one on his three-year, $85 million deal with the Heat signed in the summer of 2021,” he wrote. “Minnesota, by all indications, is not interested in that sort of swap.”
