Joe Ingles Plans To Explore Options In Free Agency

SALT LAKE CITY – One day after Joe Ingles underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL, the former Utah Jazz guard joined DJ and PK on The Zone Sports Network to discuss the operation, and his plans once he hits free agency.

Ingles originally tore his ACL in a January 30 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers on February 9.

At the time of the trade, Ingles was the Jazz’s second-longest tenured Jazzman behind Rudy Gobert.

You can listen to Ingles full interview with DJ and PK in the player below.

Ingles On Surgery

Ingles discussed the relative ease of the surgery compared to what could have happened with a season-ending knee injury.

“It was clean, it was exactly what he thought the issue was, obviously just the ACL like we’d said in the reports,” Ingles said. “I was in and out within about 45 minutes.”

The newest Trail Blazers guard had the surgery on Wednesday and will begin rehab immediately with Portland’s physical therapy staff.

“When I say rehabbing, it’s very basic in these first few days,” Ingles said. “Getting my ankle moving, obviously getting my knee moving a little bit.”

@Joeingles7: "I obviously loved my time there. I loved every fan who supported me."

— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) February 24, 2022

Ingles surgery took place in Chicago where he’ll remain for a few days as he recovers.

“[I’ll] go home on Saturday in Utah and start rehab there,” Ingles said. “I have lined up probably the best [physical therapist] outside of the Jazz. So I’ll be using him and then I’ll go back and forth between Utah and Portland.”

Getting Traded To Portland

Ingles name was frequently thrown around in trade rumors before his injury, but once he was ruled out for the season, a move became inevitable.

Yet, Ingles said he and his family were still surprised when it happened.

“There was a lot of feelings and even the day it happened just sitting there with Renae, and the kids don’t know any better really,” Ingles said, “but just trying to process the whole thing because I just never honestly never thought we would go through it.”

Always got love for the Jazz fans ❤️ https://t.co/pl91qWe0dQ

— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) February 24, 2022

But rather than the Trail Blazers immediately waiving Ingles which would have allowed him to stay in Utah before his surgery, the team brought him in to get familiar with the organization.

“Portland on the flip side of that has been really good,” Ingles said. “I can’t kind of say enough good things.”

Joe Ingles On Free Agency

Ingles contract is set to expire this summer where he will hit unrestricted free agency, free to sign with any team in the NBA.

Though the guard is coming off a major injury and a down season compared to his previous production, teams’ across the league will be lined up to bring in a veteran with Ingles experience.

Former @utahjazz fan favorite Joe Ingles announced he underwent successful surgery to repair is ACL. #TakeNote https://t.co/YlAyEWNbv2

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 24, 2022

But after his latest experience, the soon-to-be free agent recognizes how quickly life in the NBA can change.

“I’m not saying that the Jazz shouldn’t have traded me or anything, you just learn the business side,” Ingles said. “Regardless of how close I was with people or the relationships we’ve built, or the work we did on the community or whatever it is, if it’s going to be better off for a team, they’re going to do it.”

As a result, Ingles is in no rush to determine his future.

“I’m not going to say I want to come back to the Jazz or I want to be with Portland or I want to go to whoever, wherever it is,” Ingles said. “I’m going to leave every option open, I am going to listen to whoever wants to talk to me.”

Free agency opens in July, though Ingles is unlikely to return to an NBA floor before 2023.

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