Jazz Stand Pat At Trade Deadline
Feb 7, 2019, 1:12 PM
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After many reports of potential trades that involve the Utah Jazz and in particular, Ricky Rubio. The Jazz did not make a trade before the 1 p.m. deadline on Thursday.
Rubio was linked to many reports on going to Memphis in exchange for Mike Conley. The Grizzlies traded away four players, including Marc Gasol but Memphis decided to hold on to their franchise point guard.
The Grizzlies are keeping Mike Conley, league sources tell ESPN. Memphis discussed deals with multiple teams, but ultimately decided to hold onto their franchise point guard.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
Utah is currently in seventh place in the Western Conference standings with a 31-24 record, just two games being the Portland Trail Blazers for the fourth spot. Rubio is averaging 12.9 points per game, which is the second best mark of his career. He is also averaging 3.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, he is in his second season with the Jazz after spending six seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
One factor in the Grizzlies not trading Mike Conley: They value him as a mentor for Jaren Jackson Jr., a 19-year-old being groomed as the future face of the franchise. Conley was not eager to leave Memphis.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 7, 2019
The Jazz looked for an opportunity to upgrade their point guard position as they pursued Conley. Now that the deadline has passed, Utah can focus on making a playoff push. They had a slow start to the season as they were 15-17 in the first 32 games and are 22-7 since December 19.
Utah players are certainly happy with the results of not making any moves because they have great chemistry and want to play together and be in Utah.
Joe Ingles calls the Jazz’s trade rumors a “sh*ty situation” for the names of guys in discussion. “It’s not good for anyone especially when you’ve got such a tight group of guys that want to be here, that enjoy being here and play well together so we’ll see what happens,” he said
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) February 7, 2019
