Jazz forward Joe Ingles has been diagnosed with a torn left ACL, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that Ingles will miss the rest of the 2021/22 season.
The plan is for Ingles to undergo surgery to repair the ACL tear within the next few weeks, once he gets a range of motion back in his knee, sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter links).
Ingles, the runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award to teammate Jordan Clarkson in 2020/21, was having a down year this season, averaging just 7.2 PPG, 3.5 APG, and 2.9 RPG on .404/.347/.773 shooting in 45 games (24.9 MPG). However, he was still a regular rotation player for the Jazz and is viewed as one of the club’s locker-room leaders.
Ingles’ injury is a tough blow to a slumping squad that is already dealing with a series of other injuries. Donovan Mitchell has been in the concussion protocol for two weeks, having last played on January 17, while Rudy Gobert has missed Utah’s last four games due to a calf ailment. After starting the season with a 28-10 record, the Jazz have lost 11 of their last 13 games, including five in a row.
Mitchell’s and Gobert’s injuries, at least, aren’t considered long-term issues, but the Jazz will need to find a way to make up Ingles’ production. In the short term, forwards like Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale, and Rudy Gay will be leaned on more heavily.
Because he’s in the last year of his contract and has had an up-and-down season, Ingles had been viewed as a potential trade candidate for a Utah team seeking an upgrade on the wing. The 34-year-old and his $13MM expiring deal seem even more likely to be moved now. Like the Cavs have done with Ricky Rubio since he suffered an ACL tear of his own, the Jazz will probably shop Ingles with a draft pick in the hopes of acquiring a player who can help the club contend this season.
The Jazz won’t be able to apply for a disabled player exception in response to Ingles’ injury, since the deadline to submit a DPE request was January 15.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that is crazy and I am really sorry for him. He wasn’t having a great season, but he was a great locker roomguy for Utah. I am almost sure this sparks a big deal at the deadline, maybe even involving Ingles.
IMO
Joe Ingles has more trade value than Horton Tucker
Only two teams have a chance to take Tucker contract
Thunder
Pistons
Ingles will be traded earlier than Tucker
Lakers take Kenrich Willams for THT today, agreed
So that makes THT worth at least the change in your couch currently but you are essentially correct
Hard to come back from this at his age. He’s probably a 12th man or locker room guy going forward.
Wonder if they look to do the same as the Cavs trade him and a 1st.
Thad Young is in that $ range but not worth a 1st.
Don’t think they need another PF but yea the range fits nicely
RoCo is the only fit i see really
Maybe we can get Sankara to come buff Warren up for us here as that fits as well. Too much risk for me to inc a 1st here tho
Prince could be had for Ingles and a 2nd
Def, a protected one at that lol
But I got a weird suspicion Minny might doing something Big that requires that expiring here soon
Dragic market is about to heat up!!!
That’s really is horrible. He’s a great guy and a key part of their system but by all means now I’d be fine with them trading Ingles.
Tricky sitch here Imo
I don’t think Utah will want to take on any more salary for next year, in fact this inj probably strengthens Ingles shot at being on the Jazz next year if anything (at a discount)
So……they need to find an expiring player who can actually contribute this year. Not too many of those out there this year worth much …
Gary Harris looks cooked… Roco comes to mind for Ingles and the 1st but not much else really. Maybe they just do nothing, despite being in win now mode they are going to need their picks as the ledger is probably maxed out the next COUPLE of offseasons for Utah.
Dayam huge Ji fan
As much as I love Joe I. it’s not going to hurt the Jazz, in fact – quite the opposite.