- While Nikola Mirotic‘s name has been linked to the Jazz, team beat writer Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune tweets that he’d be surprised if Utah gave up a first-round pick for him.
Jazz big man Derrick Favors has been discussed as a potential trade piece that would go from Utah to Chicago in a hypothetical trade involving Nikola Mirotic, multiple league sources tell Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. A report on Tuesday indicated that the two teams are engaged in Mirotic talks, which have moved beyond the preliminary stages.
Favors, 26, has enjoyed a solid bounce-back season for the Jazz this year, getting his averages back up to 12.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG, to go along with a solid .551 FG%. He has been particularly effective in the absence of Rudy Gobert, but has struggled to match that production when Gobert is in the lineup, which is a key reason he may be expendable.
Favors’ contract situation also makes him a prime trade candidate for the Jazz and an intriguing target for the Bulls. The former third overall pick is earning $12MM in 2017/18 and will be an unrestricted free agent in July. As such, Utah may want to get something for Favors before losing him for nothing, while his expiring contract would appeal to the Bulls, who don’t want to take on long-term contracts in a Mirotic deal.
Although the Jazz may be willing to include Favors in a trade for Mirotic, it’s not clear if they’d also attach the caliber of draft pick Chicago is reportedly seeking. If the Bulls insist on a first-round pick, Utah might prefer to include someone like Alec Burks, who has another guaranteed year on his contract beyond this season.
The Pistons and Trail Blazers are among the other teams with interest in Mirotic, who will become trade-eligible on Monday.
Here are Tuesday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- The Jazz have recalled Tony Bradley from the Salt Lake City Stars, according to the team’s Twitter feed. The no. 28 overall pick from the 2017 draft has played in eight games with Utah this season, posting a total of eight points in 28 minutes of action.
The Knicks may use the trade market to open a roster spot for G League guard Trey Burke, writes Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. New York is reportedly in “serious talks” about signing Burke, who has been with the organization’s Westchester affiliate since being waived during the preseason.
The Knicks have a full roster and there is speculation that veteran point guard Ramon Sessions could be waived to clear the way for Burke. However, Kyler says the Knicks have received interest in backup centers Kyle O’Quinn and Willy Hernangomez. They may be able to get a draft pick in return for O’Quinn, but not many teams can take on his $4.08MM salary without sending another player back to New York, which wouldn’t help with signing Burke.
Burke has been outstanding in the G League and has attracted interest from other organizations. According to Kyler, Burke’s representatives have told the Knicks he will consider other offers if they don’t sign him soon. So while there’s not a definite deadline to open a roster spot, there is an incentive to get something done.
Kyler offers info on several other potential deals as the trade deadline draws nearer:
- The Jazz would like to get something in return for the expiring contracts of Derrick Favors [$12MM] and Joe Johnson [$10.5MM]. Utah is among the teams linked to Chicago’s Nikola Mirotic, who becomes eligible for a deal Monday. Kyler says the Bulls are willing to make a deal and would be happy to get draft picks and expiring deals in return.
- The Magic could be active at the deadline, as sources say they have received inquiries on nearly all their players. They would like to deal guard Evan Fournier, but haven’t received any offers they consider attractive. Despite being a non-contender at 12-28, Orlando isn’t overly interested in draft picks because it already has a lot of young talent and its own pick is likely to fall in the top five. It would take a proven All-Star to land Aaron Gordon, according to Kyler, and the Magic don’t expect to receive that kind of offer. They are also resigned that no one is going to take Bismack Biyombo with two years and $34MM left on his contract beyond this season.
- The Bucks continue to need frontcourt help and might give up Jabari Parker in the right deal. However, with Mirza Teletovic sidelined with blood clots in his lungs, the organization would have difficulty matching a big salary. Sources believe Malcolm Brogdon or Thon Maker would have to be included in any significant trade.
- The Lakers may have to deal Larry Nance Jr. as an incentive to get teams to take on other salaries. They would love to get rid of Luol Deng‘s contract, but are finding no options without giving up a hefty package of first-rounders.
Earlier today, we noted the Jazz were talking to the Bulls about a possible trade involving Nikola Mirotic, but it appears Utah will have some competition. The Pistons have also expressed interest in Mirotic, tweets Marc Stein of The New York Times, and the Trail Blazers could get involved as well, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).
Chicago is hoping to get a first-round pick in exchange for Mirotic, Johnson adds. Utah, Detroit and Portland all have first-rounders to offer this year, with our latest Reverse Standings showing the Jazz at No. 11 and the Pistons and Blazers involved in a three-way tie for No. 18.
The Bulls are motivated to move Mirotic because he’ll be seeking a big payday when his current contract ends, Johnson explains (Twitter link). Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn will be free agents in 2018 and 2020 respectively, and the organization doesn’t want to give big deals to all three. The performance of rookie forward Lauri Markkanen also makes Mirotic expendable.
Mirotic is off to a career best start this season, averaging 17.4 points through 17 games and shooting 47% from 3-point range. He is making $12.5MM this year and has a team option for the same amount in 2018/19.
Mirotic, who doesn’t become eligible for a trade until Monday, has a no-trade clause, but has expressed a willingness to waive it to join a contender. The Bulls could eliminate that clause by picking up his option for next season before trading him.
The Jazz are engaged in discussions with the Bulls about a potential trade involving Nikola Mirotic, league sources tell Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. While nothing is imminent, Jones hears that talks have moved “past the preliminary stage and [are] getting serious.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first linked Mirotic to the Jazz on Monday, suggesting that Quin Snyder‘s reputation for maximizing offensive talent had “intrigued” the Bulls’ power forward. While it wasn’t clear at that point if the interest was mutual, Jones confirms that the Jazz are exploring the possibility of acquiring Mirotic. K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune also reported that Utah had expressed interest in the veteran forward.
Mirotic, who is in the first season of a two-year deal that features a $12.5MM team option for 2018/19, will become trade-eligible on January 15. Any deal involving him would require his approval, but that’s not expected to be a major roadblock — the relationship between Mirotic and the Bulls has been shaky, particularly after an altercation between Mirotic and teammate Bobby Portis in the fall. If Mirotic’s ability to veto a deal becomes an issue, the Bulls could always circumvent that by exercising his second-year option, assuming their potential trade partner is on board.
As for Chicago’s potential return in a Mirotic deal, the team has “made it clear” that the asking price is a first-round pick with no long-term contracts attached, per Johnson. Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago writes that the Bulls – in talks with the Jazz – aren’t interested in taking on Alec Burks, whose $10.85MM salary would match up nicely with Mirotic’s $12.5MM cap hit.
Burks has a guaranteed $11.54MM salary for 2018/19, so Chicago’s willingness to absorb that contract may hinge on the draft compensation attached. The Bulls may push instead for a player like Joe Johnson ($10.5MM) or Derrick Favors ($12MM), both of whom are on expiring contracts.
Shooting guards and small forwards are in high demand as the trade deadline approaches, and there simply aren’t that many quality wings expected to be available, Adrian Wojnarowski writes in his latest report for ESPN.com. As Wojnarowski details, the Pistons, Knicks, Pelicans, and Trail Blazers are just a few of the many teams looking for upgrades on the wing.
DeMarre Carroll (Nets), Alec Burks (Jazz), Kent Bazemore (Hawks), and Evan Fournier (Magic) are among the veterans attracting some interest on the trade market, according to Wojnarowski, who notes that the Pistons pursued a deal for Fournier. Such a trade would be hard to pull off without including Reggie Jackson‘s contract, so nothing’s imminent at this point, but the Pistons continue to be aggressive on the trade market, a reflection of Stan Van Gundy‘s desire to win now, says Wojnarowski.
As for the Pelicans, they also remain active in trade talks despite their limited assets, according to Wojnarowski, who notes that Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca have negative value and won’t be movable without New Orleans attaching a draft pick or two. If the Pelicans can’t trade for a wing, they’ll have to count on getting Solomon Hill back healthy for the home stretch of the season.
Here’s more from Woj:
- The Lakers have “made it clear” that Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and Larry Nance Jr. are available in trades, reports Wojnarowski. The club had been planning on waiting until after the season to try to move Clarkson, but there may be a mutual desire to get something done on that front sooner rather than later.
- Bazemore, Ersan Ilyasova, and Marco Belinelli are expendable in Atlanta, where the Hawks are focused on unloading veterans and stockpiling more young players and draft picks, per Wojnarowski.
- The Bulls still plan to trade Nikola Mirotic after January 15, assuming he OK’s a deal. According to Wojnarowski, Mirotic is somewhat intrigued by the Jazz and their head coach Quin Snyder, who has a reputation for maximizing offensive talent.
- It’s possible their outlooks could change by the trade deadline, but the Thunder and Pelicans currently have no plans to trade Paul George or DeMarcus Cousins, respectively. Both players can become unrestricted free agents this July.
- We passed along more rumors from Woj in full stories earlier today, providing the latest on DeAndre Jordan and examining the Grizzlies‘ asking price for Tyreke Evans.
The Jazz are expected to guarantee the contract of Raul Neto, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The deadline for Neto’s non-guaranteed deal is tomorrow, January 7, but Utah reportedly has every intention to keep him on their roster, despite a recent injury to his left knee.
Neto, a 25-year-old Brazilian who made his professional debut as a teenager in 2008, signed a three-year deal with the Jazz in July, 2015. He started 53 games as a rookie during the 2015/16 season, but has seen his minutes drop over the last two seasons, this season at least in part due to the Jazz’ acquisition of Ricky Rubio.
Neto has averaged 4.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game over 138 career NBA games.
Here are Tuesday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:
9:33pm:
- The Jazz have recalled Tony Bradley from the team’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, the team announced (via Twitter). Bradley, 19, has appeared in eight games with Utah, averaging 1.0 PPG.
- The Grizzlies assigned forward Ivan Rabb to the team’s G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, per a press release. In four games for the Grizzlies this season, Rabb has averaged 1.5 PPG and 1.0 RPG. In 16 games for the Hustle, Rabb has posted 15.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.1 APG.
- The Bucks assigned forward D.J. Wilson to their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, according to a press release. This is the third G League assignment for Wilson, who has appeared in 11 games with Milwaukee and two games for the Herd.
3:21pm:
- Former Celtics first-rounder Ante Zizic won’t be in attendance on Wednesday when the Cavaliers play the team that drafted him. The Cavs announced today that Zizic has been sent to the Canton Charge, adding that he’ll be available for tomorrow’s game against the Wisconsin Herd.
1:45pm:
- A day after being assigned to the G League, Jabari Parker has been recalled by the Bucks, the team announced today (via Twitter). Parker, who continues to rehab his ACL injury and remains on track for a February return, practiced with the Wisconsin Herd on Monday.
- The Rockets have re-assigned rookie big man Zhou Qi to the G League, tweets Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Zhou figures to suit up for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers when they host the Northern Arizona Suns on Tuesday night.
- Rookie guard Derrick White is headed back to the G League, according to the Spurs, who announced today in a press release that they’ve re-assigned him to Austin. San Antonio’s affiliate is scheduled to visit the Long Island Nets on Tuesday night.
In the middle of the Thunder’s resurgence and winning streak has been reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, Russell Westbrook. As Oklahoma City has tried to create a balance for Westbrook and two other All-Stars, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George, the team has struggled to find consistency. Playing behind Westbrook’s lead and not with him trying to lead is how the Thunder will find success, ESPN’s Royce Young writes.
After a slow start, OKC is in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 20-16 record. Anthony believes that Westbrook’s hot streak and the team’s improved play are no coincidence.
“I think the fact that Russ is just playing — not trying to defer to anybody, to any one of us — just playing his game and letting us play off him … I think he’s much more effective by doing that rather than deferring to myself or Paul,” Anthony said. “We know what we bring to the game. We understand it. We accept it. And by that, he’s able to just play his game, relax and do what he does best. We need that. We need that Russ out there. Not the one who defers to us. Let us figure it out.”
Check out other Northwest Division news below:
- After the Thunder lost to the Bucks on Friday, head coach Billy Donovan said the team needs Alex Abrines to play better, Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman writes. Abrines, 24, got the start on Friday but OKC was down 24 points after one quarter and he never returned. “My feeling is that Alex needs to help our team, and trying to find ways to get him going would be positive for our team,” Donovan said. “That’s why I kind of started him.”
- Following Abrines’ removal, Josh Huestis got the chance to play the rest of the game and showed some defensive promise against the Bucks, Dawson writes in a separate story.
- With Jeff Teague sidelined 2 to 4 weeks with a left knee sprain, Tyus Jones will take over the Wolves‘ starting point guard role for the second time this season and he feels prepared, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune writes. “Just because it’s not the first time now,” Jones said. “It’s something I’ve done, something we’ve gone through as a team. I’m just ready to go. My first-time experience, I learned it was still just basketball. You’re in the game to start rather than coming in a few minutes into the game, but it’s just basketball at the end of the day.”
- The month of December has not been kind to the Jazz as the team searches for an identity, Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News writes.