Is it within the realm of possibility that the Jazz could trade for Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic? Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune ponders that topic. Larsen confirms an earlier report the Jazz are keenly interested in Doncic. The Jazz would either have to deal All-Star Lauri Markkanen and a smaller assortment of picks and players, or give up a boatload of picks for Doncic, in Larsen’s estimation.
However, as Larsen acknowledges, Doncic would first have to request a trade and the Jazz’s draft assets from Cleveland and Minnesota aren’t all that attractive since both are playoff teams, though the Timberwolves could fall back to the lottery pack in the near future.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Speaking of Markkanen, Sarah Todd of the Deseret News notes that he displayed star power in his first year with the Jazz. After his breakthrough campaign, Markkanen can still build on his game by improving his ball-handling, defense, footwork and aggressiveness, Todd writes.
- Jamal Murray is officially listed as questionable to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday due to a non-COVID illness. However, the Nuggets’ point guard intends to play, Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports tweets.
- Former Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy will represent the team at the draft lottery on Tuesday. The Athletic’s Jason Quick writes that Roy, who retired at 28 due to knee issues, would like to return to the organization in an official capacity. “I do have confidence in myself in coaching, and I feel there is a lot I can offer,” Roy said. “But sometimes, I think about personnel, and what first, what works … and I think I’m good with chemistry and fit and understanding guys, so front office, scouting … or do something like Hersey Hawkins did when he was with the Blazers, mentoring and talking to guys. I’ve lived and experienced a lot of things, and I think I can help and give back to the younger players.’’
Lol, not a chance on the potential Doncic trade.
Only if he demands one but I doubt he wants to go to Utah.
Yeah, I cannot see thos happening, and really don’t even understand why it was even mentioned..
I guess some writers will write about anything to bring in clicks these days..
Why would he go to Utah who would have to trade all of their assets to get him. Seems counter productive.
Seems more like Ainge sending up a smoke signal for the next FA period. As a signing not a trade, the Utah roster would be complementary.
Idk, Luka trade seems like it could make sense. 12 1st. That’s a fair deal.
4 Jazz 1st
3 Cleveland 1st
4 Wolves 1st
1 Lakers 1st
So 11 unprotected 1st and 1 top 5 protected 1st.
Jazz still has rights to 2 CLE swaps and Rights to 1 Wolves swap.
Jazz could also take back some unwanted salary. But 12 1st is insane and yet about the right amount for Luka.
Not if the guy is a diva locker room cancer. I’d rather take my chances with all those draft picks then waste them all on a guy who hasn’t really shown he can lead a team. Instead, he seems to drive people away.
I concur. You’re onto something.
Agreed,
Obviously the Lakers have dealt/signed for most of their current roster, but the C’s (Tatum, Brown, Williams, Smart) and Nuggets (Joker, Murray, MPJ) have drafted their way to Championship contention. The Jazz giving up their whole future for one player is bad business, especially as I’m not sold yet on Doncic being anything more than an ultra high usage stat stuffer that won’t win a title.
Are you being serious? I mean Doncic I’d great but no player is worth 12 first round pics.
Not only that, there are rules and limitations about trading first round picks that they’d have to work around as well…
Maybe eventually I’m wrong, and the Jazz somehow pull something off, but this just seems like a bunch of clickbait nonsense to me…
Doncic is not a true guard. I consider him and Jayson Tatum as stretch 4s. Both are great defensive rebounders and while Tatum is a great assist man, Doncic is elite in that area. However, my two criteria for a great shooter is better than 80% with FTs and at least 10 3pt attempts per 100 possessions. Keeping in mind that scoring and shooting are two different things. Tatum is an elite shooter while Doncic is not. In fact, with his weak FT shooting, Doncic takes an inordinate amount of 3s. Not good. I don’t use 3pt% because it’s prone to small samples and outliers. If you examine the greatest 3pt shooters in NBA history all of them fills these criteria.
Tatum and Doncic are stretch fours….???
Wtf…
I realize we are in the age of position less basketball, small-ball, etc., but I HIGHLY, HIGHLY doubt any other sane human being would EVER refer to either Tatum or Doncic as “stretch fours.”
Yeah honestly that stretch 4 take is one of the worst i ever heard.
In a historical sense, maybe they could be considered a stretch 4. However, that term isn’t used anymore for a 4. They just call them all forwards.
Although, in Doncic’s case, he’s a point-forward. You could say that about Tatum, but they both don’t always bring the ball up. In fact, that’s why they brought in Kyrie, to lessen that burden. Smart performs that role in Boston.
The problem is that any of their players can bring the ball up as long as they can dribble and pass. Coach Snyder’s and Hardy’s offenses do the same thing, except for their current centers. Makes it much harder to stop the ball getting across half-court.