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.
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.
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.