Utah Jazz News

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Collin Sexton  • PG  •  Jazz

Collin Sexton Sees Himself As Top 10 Point Guard In NBA

Utah Jazz point guard Collin Sexton appears full of confidence ahead of the new campaign, making a bold claim that he's among the best players in the NBA in his position. Sexton was asked on the Come And Talk 2 Me podcast if he's a top 10 point guard in the league. "If I'm putting myself in there, for sure," said Sexton. "I put myself against anybody. At the end of the day, I don't back down from nobody. I got a different type of chip on my shoulder. I got a different type of grind that when I step between those lines, it's me against you." Utah and fantasy managers alike would be delighted if Sexton could consistently play like a top-10 point guard. The 25-year-old enjoyed a strong finish to last campaign, averaging 20.8 points and 5.8 assists after the All-Star break.
5 days ago   
Patty Mills  • PG  •  Jazz

Patty Mills Signing With Utah

Free-agent guard Patty Mills agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Jazz. The 36-year-old started last season with the Hawks but was waived. He eventually signed with the Heat, playing in 13 regular season contests and averaging 5.8 points and 1.5 assists. The Jazz have a young backcourt featuring Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, and Collin Sexton, so it will be difficult for anyone to get minutes. But Mills will provide invaluable leadership and guidance to a team in rebuilding mode. However, his days as a reliable fantasy option have been over for years.
Aug 15   
Walker Kessler  • C  •  Jazz

Jazz Still Seeking Multiple Picks For Walker Kessler

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Utah Jazz are seeking two first-round picks for center Walker Kessler. The 23-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks as a rookie. He also shot 72.0% from the field. However, outside of Kessler's statistical contributions as a shot-blocker, his production regressed while being limited to just 22 appearances in the starting lineup. At this point, there's a chance Kessler remains on the team, at least to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, with John Collins, Drew Eubanks, and 2024 No. 32 overall pick Kyle Filipowski on the roster, Kessler doesn't have a clear path to playing time, significantly decreasing his fantasy value.
Aug 11   
Lauri Markkanen  • PF  •  Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Inks Five-Year Extension With Utah

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen agreed to a five-year, $238 million contract extension with Utah. The veteran had one year left on his previous agreement. However, despite being involved in trade rumblings, Markkanen cannot be dealt during the 2024-25 campaign with the latest deal. The 27-year-old has been at his best in Utah, averaging 24.5 points. He also earned the league's Most Improved Player award in 2022-23 and was named an All-Star that same season. Markkanen's health is always a cause of concern for fantasy managers. Yet, he still possesses top-25 fantasy potential in 2024-25.
Aug 8   
Lauri Markkanen  • PF  •  Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Expected To Sign Hefty Extension

According to The Athletic, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is expected to agree to a "massive, long-term contract extension" with the team. The deal is anticipated to be well over $200 million over the next five years. It will also make him ineligible to be traded next season. The 27-year-old has been at his best since joining the Jazz, recently finishing the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 39.9% from behind the arc. Without question, Markkanen is expected to remain the No. 1 scoring option in Utah throughout the 2024-25 season. However, his presence will mean fewer scoring opportunities for the supporting cast.
Aug 7   
Lauri Markkanen  • PF  •  Jazz

Warriors Not Giving Up On Lauri Markkanen

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen remains at the top of the Golden State Warriors' trade wishlist. However, the team has yet to come up with an attractive offer for the 2023 All-Star. NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his most recent Substack post that Golden State has pursued Markkanen with trade packages laden with future draft compensation without including Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga in the offers. Both players are highly regarded by the Warriors hierarchy. However, as it's turned out, it's proven to be extremely difficult to get a deal done without including either of them in any offers. Markkanen will be entering the final season of his contract and is eligible for a four-year, $113 million extension. If he signs it after Aug. 6, Markkanen will be officially off the market, as he then won't be eligible to be traded before the 2024-25 trade deadline has passed.
Aug 5   
Micah Potter  • PF  •  Jazz

Micah Potter Returns To Utah On Two-Way Deal

Forward/center Micah Potter is back with the Utah Jazz, having agreed to a new two-way contract. Potter signed his first two-way deal with the Jazz in 2022. He has made 23 NBA appearances with the team. The 26-year-old started his NBA career in 2021-22 with the Detroit Pistons. He has averaged 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.4 minutes across 26 career appearances. In the G League, Potter has been a double-double machine, and he was part of the Team USA Select Team this summer, but the former Wisconsin Badger looks far from being an attractive fantasy asset.
Aug 5   
Lauri Markkanen  • PF  •  Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Unlikely To Join Warriors

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen has been heavily linked with the Golden State Warriors, but his move to San Francisco appears unlikely. The Jazz are reportedly looking to get Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga in exchange for Markkanen, but Warriors owner Joe Lacob has told The Athletic that he wants to hang on to both players. With ESPN's Tim MacMahon recently suggesting that the Jazz aren't actively shopping Markkanen, it appears that the Finnish star is poised to begin another campaign in Salt Lake City. Markkanen has enjoyed two solid seasons with the Jazz and averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in 2023-24.
Jul 29   
Lauri Markkanen  • PF  •  Jazz  |  Brandin Podziemski  • SG  •  Warriors

Warriors Not Willing To Part With Brandin Podziemski In Trade For Lauri Markkanen

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski remains highly rated by the team, and club owner Joe Lacob doesn't want to include him in any trade talks. Podziemski has been linked with a move to Utah in a deal for Lauri Markkanen. "I'm not going to get into specifics like that, there's no way," Lacob told Tim Kawakami of The Athletic. "(But) I don't want to give him up, or JK (Jonathan Kuminga). We love these guys. And Moses (Moody), Trayce (Jackson-Davis). These are good young players." Lacob believes Podziemski has "All-Star potential." The 21-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 26.6 minutes during his rookie year. He looks set for a big leap next season if he stays in Golden State, with Klay Thompson moving to Dallas.
Jul 29   
Jordan Clarkson  • SG  •  Jazz

No Teams Interested In Trading For Jordan Clarkson

According to Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson isn't drawing trade interest from other teams around the National Basketball Association. The 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year was a coveted player by contending clubs over the last few seasons. However, after a decline in statistical contributions during the 2023-24 campaign, teams no longer have him on the radar. Clarkson has two years remaining on his current deal. But with many teams in the NBA strapped for cash, he may end up staying in Utah. Unfortunately, his path for playing time could be compromised with Collin Sexton, Keyonte George, and 2024 No. 29 overall pick Isaiah Collier on the roster.
Jul 27   
Kyle Filipowski  • C  •  Jazz

Kyle Filipowski Snags Double-Double Sunday

Utah Jazz forward/center Kyle Filipowski completed Summer League action with a nice double-double, scoring 26 points and recording 11 rebounds in a 98-87 victory over Detroit. The seven-footer from Duke led all players in both categories. He added four assists and two steals for a good all-around line, shooting 8-for-22 from the field with a 3-for-11 record from deep. After struggling in the Salt Lake City Summer League, Filipowski had a strong run in Las Vegas, averaging 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. However, he clearly needs to work on his shooting after barely making 40 percent of his efforts across eight appearances this summer.
Jul 22   
Taylor Hendricks  • PF  •  Jazz

Taylor Hendricks Notches 23 Points With Near-Perfect Shooting

Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Wednesday's 86-76 Summer League victory over Toronto. Following Monday's awful outing against the Kings, where Hendricks finished 0-for-6 from the field, the 20-year-old was nearly perfect from the floor, hitting 9-for-10, including 3-for-4 from downtown. Hendricks also notched a steal and a block on the defensive end. Inconsistency has plagued Hendricks throughout Summer League action. But he finished last season as a starter in Utah and could remain in the role for the upcoming campaign, especially if Lauri Markkanen gets moved.
Jul 18   
Brice Sensabaugh  • SF  •  Jazz

Brice Sensabaugh Out At Least Six Weeks

Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (finger) will miss the rest of Summer League. The 20-year-old was injured during Saturday's meeting with the Dallas Mavericks, with an MRI revealing a torn tendon in his left middle finger. He showed flashes of promise in 2023-24, averaging 10.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 11 starts. With that said, Sensabaugh will be re-evaluated in six weeks, so there's a chance he could return before training camp.
Jul 16   
Brice Sensabaugh  • SF  •  Jazz

Brice Sensabaugh Doesn't Return On Saturday

Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (finger) was unable to return during Saturday's exhibition game against the Dallas Mavericks. He suffered an apparent finger injury during the first half of the game. Possibly a dislocation, but the Jazz don't believe it'll be a long term issue. He finished the game with three points, two rebounds, and two assists in 12 minutes. Taevion Kinsey started during the second half on Saturday in place of Sensabaugh. He could see more playing time if Sensabaugh misses time going forward.
Jul 14   
Cody Williams  • SF  •  Jazz

Cody Williams Notches 21 Points

Utah Jazz guard Cody Williams put together a solid game from the floor during Saturday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. Williams struggled in three games during the summer league, but he picked it up during his exhibition contest. He went 9-for-15 from the field, while scoring 21 points, three rebounds, and four assists in the win. The lottery pick was able to hit three shots from beyond the arc as well across his 31 minutes of action. Williams should see significant playing time on the rebuilding Jazz roster. Hopefully he'll be able to build off this performance going forward.
Jul 14   
Johnny Juzang  • SG  •  Jazz

Johnny Juzang Signing Four-Year Deal

Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang has agreed to a long-term extension with the organization. The 23-year-old has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $12 million deal with the Jazz. He has been fairly quiet through his first two seasons in Utah. Juzang averaged 7.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 18.6 minutes per game through 20 games last season. He'll will have to compete with Jordan Clarkson and first-round pick Cody Williams for minutes in the rotation. It's unlikely that Juzang has a major role on the Jazz next season.
Jul 12   
Lauri Markkanen  • PF  •  Jazz

Warriors Remain Interested In Lauri Markkanen

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen continues to draw links with the Golden State Warriors. The Athletic's Anthony Slater has reported that the Warriors remain in pursuit of Markkanen, although he believes it could be a drawn-out process. Markkanen has averaged 20-plus points in back-to-back seasons and is just a year removed from being an All-Star. He would add shooting and size to the Warriors lineup, although Markkanen's scoring numbers could take a hit in San Francisco, with the offense flowing through Stephen Curry.
Jul 10   
Walker Kessler  • C  •  Jazz

Jazz Looking For First-Round Pick For Walker Kessler

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is expected to fetch a first-round draft pick on the trade market. "The Knicks had been in touch with Utah, had had some interest in Walker Kessler, the big man, as a potential solution for, at the backup five," said SNY's Ian Begley on Monday. "But teams in touch with Utah say the Jazz are looking for at least a first-round pick in return for Kessler in these conversations that have gone on earlier in the offseason." Kessler would be a solid replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein in New York, but his fantasy value would be limited if he's only going to fill a backup position.
Jul 9   
Walker Kessler  • C  •  Jazz

Knicks Interested In Walker Kessler

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the New York Knicks have expressed interest in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. The 2022 No. 22 overall pick has appeared in 138 games for the Jazz in the last two seasons, averaging 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks. The Knicks lost Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency, so the team needs to fill a void underneath the basket. While there's still a chance New York could bring back Precious Achiuwa, Kessler would be viewed as an upgrade in a few statistical categories. However, if Mitchell Robinson remains on the roster, Kessler might see significantly fewer minutes than in Utah. But considering Robinson has had trouble staying healthy, Kessler may make some appearances with the starting lineup in the Big Apple.
Jul 5   
Lauri Markkanen  • PF  •  Jazz

Jazz "Welcoming Calls" On Lauri Markkanen

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo.com, the Utah Jazz are "welcoming calls" on forward Lauri Markkanen. With Klay Thompson and Paul George no longer available, many teams around the National Basketball Association remain hopeful of upgrading their rosters. As a result, teams have expressed interest in the 27-year-old, with Golden State specifically mentioned as the club with the most interest. Markkanen finished last season by averaging 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 39.9% from behind the arc. It appears he's found his footing with the Jazz, so his fantasy outlook may not be as bright if he gets moved to another team. Fantasy managers also hope Markkanen can figure out how to stay on the floor, considering he has missed 43 games due to injury since joining the Jazz.
Jul 2   
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