NBA Trade Rumors: Kings' Harrison Barnes Tied to Jazz Ahead of NBA Deadline
Jan 26, 2022
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 22: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings warms up before the start of the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 22, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bucks defeated the Kings 133-127. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Amid a series of injuries to key players, the Utah Jazz are reportedly looking to add reinforcements before the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
On The Athletic NBA Show podcast (starts at 41:22 mark), Sam Amick said Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes has been "tied" to the Jazz.
In Monday's 115-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Jazz played without Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles, Rudy Gobert and Royce O'Neale because of injuries.
Update:
*OUT - Bojan Bogdanovic (Left Finger Avulsion Fracture)
None of those players is expected to miss an extended period of time, but the Jazz (30-18) have relied heavily on that group so far this season. Mitchell, Gobert, O'Neale and Bogdanovic are all averaging more than 30 minutes per game. Conley isn't far behind at 28.5 minutes per contest.
The possibility of adding Barnes would allow head coach Quin Snyder the chance to ease the burden on his frontcourt, particularly Bogdanovic. He's a better shooter than Rudy Gay and Eric Paschall off the bench.
Per James Ham of the Kings Beat, Sacramento general manager Monte McNair has made some core players, including Barnes, Buddy Hield and Richaun Holmes, available in trades.
Barnes is in the third year of his four-year, $85 million contract. His descending deal is likely appealing to interested teams because his 2022-23 salary is only $18.35 million, per Spotrac.
Now in his 10th NBA season, Barnes is averaging 16.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 43 starts. The 6'8", 225-pound forward is shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range on 5.0 attempts per contest.
The Jazz have fallen to fourth in the Western Conference standings with nine losses in their last 13 games. They are eight games behind the Suns for the top spot.
Report: Rudy Gobert Won't Miss Extended Time with Calf Injury; Out for Jazz vs. Suns
Jan 24, 2022
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 3: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 3, 2022 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert reportedly won't miss an "extended period" after suffering a strained left calf during Sunday's 94-92 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported Gobert is out Monday against the Phoenix Suns, but that the strain is "considered mild."
The 29-year-old is a two-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA team member and three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner. He's averaged 16 points, an NBA-high 15 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in his ninth season for the Jazz.
Gobert has been excellent on both ends this year, shooting a career-high 70.6 percent from the field and posting a 99 defensive rating, his best mark since 2017-18 per Basketball-Reference.
Unfortunately, the Jazz announced on Jan. 6 that the Frenchman entered the NBA's health-and-safety protocols. He missed his first game of the year the night before due to left shoulder inflammation. That matchup ended with Utah beating the host Denver Nuggets 115-109.
Gobert ended up returning on Jan. 16 against Denver after missing five games while in the health-and-safety protocols.
With Gobert out, the Jazz could give Udoka Azubuike an increased role. They also have the option to go smaller and play Eric Paschall down low as well.
Jazz's Rudy Gobert: Suns, Warriors 'A Step Ahead of Us in Terms of Winning Habits'
Jan 14, 2022
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 03: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz stands on the court prior to the start of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 03, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz are just 5-5 in their last 10 games and have lost four straight to fall down the Western Conference standings, and center Rudy Gobert feels at least two rivals are ahead of Utah in "winning habits."
"When I watch some of these other teams like the Suns or the Warriors, those guys are a step ahead of us in terms of winning habits," Gobert told reporters Friday. "They take every game personally."
To be fair to the Jazz, they have been decimated by players in COVID-19 protocols over the last week or so. Gobert has missed Utah's last five games due to protocols and is set to return Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.
In addition, Rudy Gay has missed three of Utah's last four games due to protocols. The team has also seen Hassan Whiteside and Udoka Azubuike miss time over the last week due to injury and protocols.
With several players sidelined, the Jazz have slipped to fourth in the Western Conference with a 28-14 record. The Memphis Grizzlies' 11-game winning streak has propelled them to 30-14, good for third in the West.
Despite the slide, the Jazz are 5.5 games ahead of the fifth-place Dallas Mavericks (22-19).
Getting Gobert back in the lineup will be huge for Utah. The Jazz defense was hideous without the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, as it allowed 118.6 points per game over the five games he missed.
In addition, the defense allowed Indiana Pacers star Domantas Sabonis and Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham to have career-high scoring games with Gobert sidelined. It also allowed Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland to record triple-doubles.
Gobert is expected to once again be a top candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award as he leads the league in rebounding. He is also averaging 2.3 blocks per game, in addition to 15.5 points, 15.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
Having Gobert back in the lineup should be enough to get the Jazz on track. But for Utah to challenge for the conference's No. 1 seed, it will need to find its edge on a more consistent basis.
Jazz's Rudy Gobert Enters NBA's COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols
Jan 6, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 20: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 20, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols Thursday, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
The 29-year-old Frenchman is in the midst of his ninth NBA campaign and is averaging 15.5 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
In 2019-20, Gobert averaged 15.1 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game and was named an All-Star for the first time.
The 2019-20 season was suspended in March 2020 when Gobert was the first known NBA player to test positive for COVID-19. Gobert recovered and returned to play in the season restart. He followed that up last season with averages of 14.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and a career-high 2.7 blocks per game, winning his third NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Gobert enjoyed a career year in 2018-19 that saw him average 15.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in addition to winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season.
Although he was limited to 56 games in 2017-18 because of injury, Gobert finished with averages of 13.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
Gobert missed 26 games in 2017-18, but that was sandwiched between two seasons that saw him appear in 81 contests.
His first true breakout came in 2016-17 when he put up 14.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and an NBA-leading 2.6 blocks per game en route to being named to the All-NBA Second Team and the All-Defensive First Team.
The Denver Nuggets selected Gobert with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft before quickly trading him to Utah.
Gobert rapidly became a strong defensive presence and developed into an offensive threat for the Jazz in recent years as well.
The Jazz will struggle to replace his production, since they have little quality depth to speak of at the moment.
Udoka Azubuike and Eric Paschall are the top candidates to take on additional minutes while Gobert is out. Veteran backup center Hassan Whiteside is currently in concussion protocols.
Also, there will be added pressure on Utah's talented backcourt to pick up the slack offensively, with fifth-year man Donovan Mitchell and veteran Mike Conley leading the way in that regard.
Although the Jazz may have enough to pick up the offensive slack without Gobert, it doesn't have another healthy big on the roster capable of impacting the game defensively in the manner he does.
Bojan Bogdanovic Drops 36 as Jazz Beat Nuggets Despite Nikola Jokic's Dominance
Jan 6, 2022
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Utah Jazz remained one of the NBA's hottest teams with a 115-109 road win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Bojan Boganovic led the way with a season-high 36 points and 13 rebounds as Utah improved to 28-10.
It was Bogdanovic's first 30-point, 10-rebound game of his career. Donovan Mitchell added 17 points. Utah was playing without star center Rudy Gobert, who sat out with a non-COVID-19 illness.
For the Jazz, it was their 10th consecutive road victory and eighth win in their last nine games. The only loss came to the Golden State Warriors, who have the best record in the league. With the victory, Utah remains undefeated against Northwest Division opponents at 9-0.
The Nuggets fell to 18-18 after their second consecutive loss. Nikola Jokic led the team with a monster triple-double with 26 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists.
Notable Stats
F Bojan Bogdanovic, UTAH: 36 points, 13 rebounds
G Donovan Mitchell, UTAH: 17 points (8-of-22 FG)
C Nikola Jokic, DEN: 26 points, 21 rebounds, 11 assists
Jazz Ride Bogdanovic's Big Night to Victory
The best thing Utah has going for it this season is its depth. The Jazz can win in many different ways, with different players taking over at different times.
On Wednesday night, it was Bogdanovic who led the way. He started the game hot, and the team kept feeding him. Known for being a three-point specialist, he instead did most of his damage from inside the arc and at the free-throw line. He finished with 19 of his 36 points in the first half.
But it was Bogdanovic's night. He took advantage of his size and punished Denver's smaller wing players with frequent post-ups. He was also able to get to the free-throw line seemingly at will.
It was Bogdanovic's fourth consecutive game with over 20 points, his longest stretch of the season.
Utah also got strong production from its bench, as Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gay combined for 31 points.
As long as the Jazz continue to get contributions from multiple players, Utah will remain among the top contenders in the Western Conference.
Jokic Outstanding Once Again in Defeat
The reigning MVP gave it his all on Wednesday, but it, unfortunately, wasn't enough against a deep Utah team. Despite playing from behind for most of the night, Jokic did his best to carry the Nuggets on both ends of the floor.
Denver also got solid play out of some surprising sources. Will Barton and Monte Morris scored 20 points apiece. Aaron Gordon hit his first seven shots from the field and finished with 17 points.
But the Nuggets couldn't overtake the Jazz down the stretch despite getting the lead down to as few as three points.
It was Jokic's seventh triple-double of the season and second 20-20-10 triple-double of his career. For Denver, it might be discouraging that such a strong performance wasn't enough to get a win. However, the Nuggets remain without its two best players behind Jokic in Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (back).
While Denver's roster remains thin, the onus will fall on Jokic every night to carry the team to victory. But as evidenced in Wednesday's game, one player is not enough to take down the elite teams in the Western Conference.
What's Next?
The Jazz will continue their road trip Friday when they take on the Toronto Raptors. The Nuggets will look to end their skid that same day at home against the Sacramento Kings.
NBA Trade Rumors: Jazz's Joe Ingles Mentioned in Talks Since 2021 NBA Draft
Dec 29, 2021
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 27: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 27, 2021 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photos by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images)
If the Utah Jazz are going to upgrade the roster around star Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert, don't be surprised if veteran wing Joe Ingles is in the outgoing trade package.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported "Ingles' name has come up since the draft in trade talks, according to rival executives I've spoken to. It's unclear who's initiating that, but his name has been brought up. You have to wonder if the trade talks have gotten to him because he's having a down season compared to last year."
Ingles, 34, has spent his entire eight-year NBA career with the Jazz, providing the team with excellent playmaking, defense and perimeter shooting. For his career, he's averaged 8.7 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 41.3 percent from three.
But he's having something a down year for the Jazz this season, averaging 8.1 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 38.9 percent from three in 33 games (seven starts). Hardly shabby numbers compared to his career averages, but well below the 12.1 points, 4.7 assists and 45.1 percent from three he averaged last season.
He also started more regularly last season (30 of 67 appearances), though the Jazz have largely rolled out a starting group of Mitchell, Gobert, Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Royce O'Neale this year, which isn't likely to change anytime soon. That starting group is outscoring opponents by 11.8 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com, across a sample size of 412 minutes.
So there isn't much incentive for the 24-9 Jazz to mess with a good thing when it comes to their starting 5.
Another factor to consider is that Ingles will be a free agent after the season, and it might be tough for the Jazz to bring him back unless he's willing to take a pay cut from the $12.4 million he's making this year.
The team currently has $143.2 million already on the books for the 2022-23 season, per Spotrac, with players like Gobert ($38.1 million), Mitchell ($30.3 million), Conley ($22.6 million), Bogdanovic ($19.3 million), Jordan Clarkson ($13.3 million) and O'Neale ($9.2 million) carrying significant cap hits.
So Ingles may be able to get a bigger offer elsewhere than the Jazz will be able to make. The end of his time in Utah might be on the horizon, trade or not.
It would be a big loss, no doubt—Ingles is a respected veteran who has contributed in a lot of different ways for the Jazz during his career. But if the Jazz are in the market for a bigger fish, Ingles would make sense as one of the outgoing pieces.
Jazz's Jordan Clarkson Says Spurs Fan Crossed the Line With 'Malicious' Comments
Dec 28, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 25: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 25, 2021 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson addressed a heated interaction he had with a San Antonio Spurs fan in Monday's 110-104 victory.
Clarkson had to be held back by teammates at one point while arguing with the fan, who was subsequently escorted away from his seat. The 6'4" scorer explained how the fan "was a little too malicious" and "did cross the line."
He also reflected how he didn't want to respond in a way that would draw a fine from the NBA since he "could put that in my daughter's pocket," positing she could purchase a new Bugatti with the cash.
The incident comes less than a week after Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers complained about two Oklahoma City Thunder fans who made comments about his father and sister. Rivers requested the fans be ejected from the arena.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James took the same approach toward a pair of Indiana Pacers fans in November.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO2wgsi96yo?
James said the fans directed "obscene gestures and words" toward him that crossed the line of typical courtside banter.
Russell Westbrook got popcorn dumped on him as he was walking back to the locker room. A New York Knicks fan spit on Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young. The father of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant said his wife received a lewd remark from one Jazz fan and another fan made a racist comment toward him when the Grizzlies were in Salt Lake City. Boston police arrested a fan who threw a water bottle toward Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving.
Donovan Mitchell Out for Jazz's Next 2 Games with Back Injury Diagnosed as Strain
Dec 26, 2021
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court in the second half during an NBA basketball game against then Sacramento Kings Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell will miss his team's upcoming road trip because of a lower back strain, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.
That means he will not take the floor against the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.
Through 31 games this season, Mitchell has averaged 25.4 points, 5.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
The 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Mitchell is one of the best young guards in the league. He has averaged at least 20 points in each of his four seasons, posting a career high of 26.4 in 2020-21. The Louisville product was named an All-Star in each of the last two seasons.
It is Mitchell's second consecutive season with an injury, as an ankle sprain sidelined him for the final 16 games last year before he returned in the postseason.
With Mitchell sidelined, Utah is without its floor general and top scoring option. Veteran point guard Mike Conley will take the bulk of the ball-handling duties. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson and swingman Joe Ingles are likely to see more playing time in Mitchell's absence.
The Jazz have five players who average double-digit points, but Mitchell is the only one of them to average over 20. Utah will have to rely on multiple players to replace Mitchell's scoring production.
Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Defeat Mavericks on Christmas with Luka Doncic Out
Dec 26, 2021
Dallas Mavericks guard Frank Ntilikina (21) drives against Utah Jazz's Donovan Mitchell during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Utah Jazz extended their winning streak to three games with a 120-116 win over the short-handed Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Arena on Saturday night. They are 23-9 and keeping pace with the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns for the top spot in the Western Conference.
It was a rather easy win for the Jazz, as the Mavericks were without Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, Trey Burke, Maxi Kleber and several others because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
This season, Mitchell has been on a tear, and his incredible run continued on Saturday night against the Mavericks. The 25-year-old notched at least 20 points for the 13th straight game and recorded his ninth 30-plus point game of the season.
Mitchell and the Jazz were in a back-and-forth battle with the Mavericks for most of the night, but he helped the team pull away in the fourth quarter.
Much of Utah's offensive success can be attributed to Mitchell, who entered Saturday averaging 25.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
The Jazz offense also entered averaging 115.8 points per game, per NBA.com, which is the best in the league. The Charlotte Hornets are second with 114.9 points per game, but their offense isn't comparable.
Mitchell's exploits have allowed other players to find more offensive success, including Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert. Conley had 22 points against the Mavericks, while Bogdanovic finished with 25 points and Gobert with 10 points.
Bogdanovic ranks second on the team in points per game, while Gobert, who is often considered a defensive stalwart, ranks third in that category.
The Quin Snyder-led Jazz teams have all been built on defense, but with the offensive success of Mitchell, coupled with supplemental scorers in Bogdanovic, Conley and Gobert, Utah has changed that narrative.
However, it should also be noted that the Jazz are still one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. They entered with the sixth-best defensive rating at 106.7, per NBA.com. So while the offense is firing on all cylinders, the Jazz appear to be one of the more complete teams in the league.
Kristaps Porzingis' Effort Not Enough for Shorthanded Mavs
Although Porzingis finished with 27 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks, his effort was not enough as the Mavericks couldn't keep pace with the high-flying Jazz.
Prozingis had missed Dallas' last two games with toe soreness, but the time off only appeared to have helped him as he finished his last game with 13 points, three rebounds and one assist against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But while Porzingis was solid against the Jazz, he is far removed from the player he once was with the New York Knicks, which has resulted in trade rumors surrounding the Latvian.
The Mavericks hoped Porzingis would create a dynamic one-two punch alongside Doncic after signing him to a five-year, $158 million deal in the summer of 2019, but he hasn't lived up to that deal.
The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout his career and also entered Saturday averaging 19.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Saturday's game also emphasized the fact that Porzingis can't carry the Dallas offense. If Doncic and the Mavericks are going to win a championship, it's clear the team will need to add another piece.
In addition to Porzingis, Jalen Brunson was also impressive against Utah, finishing with 27 points, two rebounds and six assists, though he also can't solely carry the Mavericks. Aside from Porzingis and Brunson, most of the team struggled, which doesn't come as a surprise given all the absences because of COVID-19 protocols.
However, it should be noted that Dallas has had one of the worst offenses in the NBA this season, entering averaging 104.4 points per game. The team has also been particularly ineffective from deep, shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Mavs shot 32.3 percent from deep against the Jazz.
What's Next?
The Jazz will travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, while the Mavericks will travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers that same night.
NBA Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz on Anthony Davis, Lakers Deadline Plans, Joe Ingles
Dec 25, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis plays against the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
As the Los Angeles Lakers think about their future whenever the LeBron James era ends, Anthony Davis' status as the long-term face of the franchise is uncertain.
Per NBA reporter Marc Stein on his Substack Newsletter (h/t HoopsHype), people in the NBA are " asking the question, 'Will they trade AD before his contract runs out so they don't end up on that position?'"
Stein did make a point of stressing that he has "not heard anything" to suggest that the Lakers are even thinking about doing this.
B/R's Zach Buckley noted a Davis trade "seems impossible at the moment, if for no other reason than the fact he still has the ceiling of a top-five talent."
Certainly, no one is suggesting the Lakers would even consider moving Davis right now. His friendship with James would seem to make it a non-starter at this point, even if Los Angeles wanted to do it.
James agreed to a two-year, $85 million extension in December 2020 that keeps him with the Lakers through the 2022-23 season. He will be 38 years old when that deal expires.
Appearing on the Smartless Podcast in July (h/t Kurt Helin of NBC Sports), James said he hopes to finish his career in Los Angeles.
"However many years that is, if it’s four, five, six, whatever, seven, I hope I can continue to play the game," he added.
Davis has two more guaranteed years plus a $43.2 million player option for 2024-25 on his current deal, per Spotrac. The eight-time All-Star hasn't had the same impact on the Lakers since helping them win an NBA championship in 2019-20.
He only appeared in 36 games last season due to injuries. A groin injury limited him to a total of 25 minutes over the final three games of Los Angeles' first-round postseason series loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Davis is averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 27 starts this season. His 105 defensive rating so far is tied for the worst mark of his career (2018-19), per Basketball-Reference.com.
The Lakers roster is messy right now, as head coach Frank Vogel tries to find ways to smoothly integrate Russell Westbrook into the mix with James and Davis. Their 16-17 start is due in part to key players missing time due to injuries and health and safety protocols, including James and Davis.
Buckley did note the Lakers theoretically could look to trade Kendrick Nunn and/or Talen Horton-Tucker before the Feb. 10 deadline to upgrade their roster, but neither player has enough "pull to bring an elite player back to L.A."
If the Lakers get all of their key players back healthy and playing at a high level, they have the ability to move into the upper-echelon of Western Conference contenders.
Joe Ingles Trade Buzz
It would seem odd for a team with the third-best record in the Western Conference to even consider trading a valuable shooter like Joe Ingles, but the Utah Jazz are in a unique position with their roster right now.
Per ESPN's Zach Lowe, executives from rival teams "have wondered what the Jazz might be able to get in exchange for Ingles and a first-round pick."
There is no indication at this point that the Jazz are looking to deal Ingles, though Lowe did note the 34-year-old has an expiring contract and isn't a great fit for the roster at this point:
He's not as airtight on defense anymore. He basically only takes 3s; he has attempted 14 free throws all season. He's a really good passer, but his assists are down and his playmaking doesn't feel quite as essential as it once did with Mitchell, Conley, and Clarkson all getting tons of minutes. Quin Snyder may want to experiment with Rudy Gay in a larger role.
Ingles is still shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range, but his scoring average (8.0 points per game) and assists (3.5) are the fewest for him since the 2016-17 season.
The Jazz are in a trick position. They have a 22-9 record with a league-best 117.6 offensive rating and 10.6 net rating, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Their regular-season success in 2021-22 isn't going to get many people outside of Salt Lake City excited because of what happened in 2020-21.
The Jazz were the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference last season with the best net rating in the NBA (9.3), but they lost in the second round of the playoffs to a Los Angeles Clippers team that didn't have Kawhi Leonard for the final two games due to a partially torn ACL.
Utah hasn't advanced past the second round of the postseason since the 2006-07 season.
If general manager Justin Zanik can find a deal that will upgrade the Jazz for the stretch run, Ingles' skill as a shooter could make him attractive to any number of teams looking for scoring help.
