A pair of former All-Stars are not expected to be traded ahead of the February 5 deadline, league sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. According to Siegel, LaMelo Ball of the Hornets and Lauri Markkanen of the Jazz are considered likely to stay put with their respective teams through the remainder of the regular season.
Siegel says Charlotte will have discussions about Ball’s future with the organization in the offseason, and points out that there are several promising guards in the 2026 draft who could potentially be his long-term replacement if the Hornets choose to go that route.
Ball, 24, is on a maximum-salary contract that runs through 2028/29. He’s averaging 19.9 points, 7.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals on .413/.374/.878 shooting through 29 games this season (27.8 minutes per contest).
According to Siegel, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are the only untouchable Hornets, with the front office open to listening to offers on anyone else on the roster. Siegel hears veteran guard Collin Sexton, who is on an expiring $19MM contract, has drawn interest from several teams.
As for Markkanen, the Jazz view him as part of their core and they want to be more competitive in 2026/27, Siegel writes. While injured center Walker Kessler has generated “plenty” of trade interest, he’s also viewed as an important part of the team and is not expected to be moved in the next few weeks, Siegel confirms.
Through 32 games, Markkanen is averaging 27.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals on .483/.365/.892 shooting. He’s also on a lucrative long-term deal that runs through ’28/29.
I’ve never expected the Jazz to trade Markkanen unless someone’s completely blew them away.
Yes Utah will be a playoff of team next year. They will grab one more young piece and use the rest of the capitol to build around him and KG. They can bring Bailey up to with the pick probably 4-7 and they have a pretty nice squad. To trade him at this point what player out there will help you better? None. KG taking a step really? Accelerated the team. I like how Bailey’s looked. Hopefully over this summer he puts a little more weight on and gets in the film room to study on how to get to his spot.
What a lot of people don’t understand is you don’t see progression from some NBA players because they don’t actually watch him. They just go out there and she jumps outs work on all these fancy moves and that’s great but you’d be out to be able to get to the spot and have the strength to do it.
I love what they’re doing so far but one thing that really scares me is that they have significant cap space and one off season to use it, a desire to be competitive next season and Austin Reaves likely being the best player available.
I’m intrigued by Reaves going to Utah but not at the price it will probably take to get him away from the Lakers but if not Reaves that leaves guys like Simons, Koby White and Sexton. I like Sexton but they don’t need him nor do they need White or Simons.
They have the trade market. So that helps them. I wouldn’t go after Reeves. They can develop Ace and whoever they get this summer and then package picks for another player. They already have some pretty good role players. Also they can sign a few role players. They won’t be contenders next year. Just low level playoffs.
No, they suck. Jazz are only a play-in team next year. Lauri plays no defense and 36% from 3 isn’t very good.
Jazz get bounced in R1 every year for the next 5 years. *golfclap*
Nobody expects a team to go from out of the playoffs to winning a playoff series in the Western conference in one year. So your take is beyond wild and I’m not sure if this is Al’s burner account or maybe Davey’s or you’re just a troll. If they suck so bad why are they winning games? They are in ever game night in and out. They have injuries and playing the young guys. They’ll use their pics from 20 2027 and on and package those to fill the rest of the team out. But I’m not going to argue with you
smart move .. don’t trust either front office to maximize the return assets that a trade would bring back
I am pretty sure Charlotte has already had discussions about Ball’s long term future with the club. His trade value is neutral at best, if somebody offered them an expiring contract and a pick they would jump at it. Writing has been on the wall for a while now.
Feels like Ball would need a pick attached to move him. That contract is an albatross in this CBA. Maybe a team that isn’t going to compete but wants a flashy player to put butts in the seats? Sort of seems like that’s where he’s already at in Charlotte.
Markkanen is owed 190 mill 4 yrs. He ain’t going anywhere. It’s why I said if in a three way for Ja. Could move Markkannen. Very tough to move him.
Zion to Charlotte ….. Ball and two #1 picks ….
Even more so considering the Jazz have no desire to move him nor does he want to be moved.
Jazz been shopping him since last year. Danny just wants too much. No one is taking that money. Unless it’s for another bad contract. Way overpaid imo.
No they haven’t you don’t know anything about the jazz they want to keep him. They are making their moves up. There have been clickbait articles. The warriors offered two picks they said no. They will be a playoff team next year. Have hella cap space two stars and 2 young players that could be come something really good.
link to saharacares.net
link to bleacherreport.com
link to slcdunk.com
link to si.com
link to sports.yahoo.com
You need more ????
Again those are rumors I know and train 3 people in the organization. Trust me know more about the Jazz than you and they were never going to trade him. Warriors picks are playoff picks and nobody was giving 5 picks up. There’s not one player in the NBA that wouldn’t go for five draft picks right now except for maybe maybe Joker, Wemby and shi. Maybe Luka and one or two other people.
All those articles that you’re linking too say that there are teams that want him and that the Jazz might take offers, nothing more.
And they are all from Last year. He said they weren’t shopping him last yr.
Andbthere are more. Do acsearch.
They’ve never really shopped him. It’s just that it doesn’t matter who the player is Ainge has always been open to listen to offers.
Any team that wants to contend that needs a guy that can give you a very efficient 28/7 while not turning the ball over would jump at the chance to acquire Markkanen.
I remember Danny asking for three first rd picks. Maybe not shopping him. But definitely open to a trade. He doesn’t fut their time line. You kniw how Danny is. He will move him if he can get pucks. More tanking by trading him.
Danny’s not even the GM anymore it’s the son and they are committed to winning. They literally in every game lost at the buzzard of OKC. Beat Dallas the other night and beat Cleveland tonight with both KG and Luri scoring 25 each. With KG taking a step they really can’t tank unless they have injuries. They have the picks and young players to add around them. They will add one more draft pick this year and then an 8 through 6 team next year
You a Jazz fan ?????
13–26 and looking for another lottery pick. Looking to win next decade lol. …..the new process
Of course your open to listening to offers. Again if the name isn’t Joker, Wemby or Shi. Every team will listen if think bleacher report and the rest of these websites really know anything their clickbait articles to get people to ready. This site just said something about ja to Milwaukee were everyone knows that’s not happening
I think the Ainges, be it Austin or Danny would listen to offers for anyone, even Shai, Jokìc or Wembanyama.
I remember rumors that Golden State were willing to offer three firsts plus possibly Kuminga and Ainge still said no. He wanted Kuminga, Podz, Moody and three firsts. That’s not “shopping” a player. That’s saying I don’t really want to trade but go ahead and blow me away.
They’re done tanking. There timeline is s next season. They couldn’t trade him last season if they’d wanted to because of when he signed his contract.
Yeah thats not a rumor. But others are ok Got it.
Danny is the biggest tanker in NBA. Jazz so bad the Lake will get fresh water before they win again.
Keep Markkanen and pay him his 200 mill. He is the only one winningnin Utah lmao
Not a prediction but a spoiler for ya Al, not next season but the one after the Jazz will win more games than your beloved Knicks.
I wouldn’t trade Ball. Why trade him? Charlotte just needs a better person at PF. Trade Bridges. That’s it
If I was Utah I would trade Lauri at the draft or TD for a good pick .. Atlanta? ZachkEEree Riccashawsomthing with something and some 1sts
Utah needs to draft Boozer
Right?
Nobody has had more lottery picks than Charlotte.
And they only need a PF. Thats hilarious lol.
Trade Ball for Sabonis then use the draft to replace him with a guy like Brown, Flemmings or Philon
I have to agree with AL on this. Charlotte has like 50 top 7 picks. When do we hold the players accountable. Melo is not a superstar. Doesn’t impact winning. If he is your Three best player maybe he can fall into line. We will see. Trade Melo keep the other two young guys. Draft a point and start trying to build something
I understand the idea for Charlotte but who is giving them any value for Ball? That to me is why he doesn’t get traded. They aren’t up against the cap, if anything he helps them hit the salary for floor for the next few years.
So just keep building with some more young guys and hope you are good enough that his expiring contract can be used to add a piece down the line.