Jazz center Kelly Olynyk, who has missed the team’s last six games due to a left ankle sprain, was a partial participant in practice on Thursday after beginning on-court work on Wednesday, tweets Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Olynyk still has a little ways to go before he’s cleared to return to action though — Larsen said on Friday night that the big man isn’t expected to play for the next week.
Here’s more out of Utah:
- Although the Hawks turned down a Jazz trade proposal that would have sent Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to Atlanta for John Collins and a first-round pick, the expectation is that those two teams will resume their conversations closer to the trade deadline, sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic. Utah is expected to engage in plenty of trade discussions with teams around the league and will consider any deal that would be good for the franchise, whether that means buying or selling, Jones adds.
- In case you missed it, Marc Stein reported earlier today that the Jazz will likely be open to listening to inquiries on anyone except Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. In her own trade deadline primer, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News expresses a belief that Collin Sexton belongs with Markkanen and Kessler in that group of players who are highly unlikely to be dealt this season.
- In a separate story for The Deseret News, Todd explores the developmental process that the Jazz rookies have been going through in their first NBA season, noting that No. 14 overall pick Ochai Agbaji has been earning more playing time as of late. Agbaji has put up more than four points just once in his last five outings, but the Jazz have outscored opponents by 41 points in his 111 minutes during that stretch.
Jazz still have much talent, considering they have sent 2 all stars away.
I’m not sure enough can be said about their player development and coaching. Without any stars, almost every player does really well on an individual level shooting.
They have 6-8 players most any team would want. Compared to other rebuilding teams, that is alot.
Olynyk, Lauri, vanderbilt, Clarkson, beasley, sexton, Kessler, Conley.
Kessler was a nice pickup. He’s looking like he has a nice future. Always liked Agbaji.
Considering the Jazz are 24-25. And are at bottom of playoff seeding. Imo they won’t make the playoffs. So it makes sense to get more picks in trades. And get as many loses to have a shot at a top pick. Lottery is loaded this yr. Top 5 in draft is an allstar in the making.
I see them making a few trades and getting ready for next yr.