A buyout continues to be the most likely next step for the Jazz and Raja Bell, but the situation remains "uncertain and unpredicatable," Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune reports (Twitter links). Bell could wind up in a trade, or might just spend the season on the roster without playing, Smith also tweets, as Lamar Odom and Jamaal Tinsley have done in the past.
The Jazz have considered trading Bell for a long time, according to Smith (Twitter link), and we heard recently that Bell's issues with the team date back two years. With training camp approaching, the time to get a deal done is dwindling, and while Smith says it's "almost unthinkable" Bell would suit up for the team this year, it has become a remote possibility (Twitter links). GM Dennis Lindsey, hired in August and a late comer to negotiations with Bell, declined comment to Smith on the matter (Twitter link).
Smith reported last week that buyout talks had stalled. Bell is set to make $3.48MM this season in the final year of a three-year, $9.72MM deal he signed with the team in 2010. The 36-year-old shooting guard has identified the Heat as his top choice if and when he can shake free from Utah. Six teams were reportedly interested in Bell back in July, shortly after it appeared a buyout was imminent, but most if not all of them have probably moved on to other targets. The trade market isn't active at the moment, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said last night, so it appears that option might not be available at the moment.