Former Jazz Players Are Reminders Of The Pains Of Tanking
Feb 5, 2026, 8:59 PM | Updated: 9:00 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Jock Landale and Nickeil Alexander-Walker — both briefly members of the Utah Jazz — helped the Atlanta Hawks beat their former team 121-119 on Thursday.
Landale spent less than 24 hours with the Jazz before the team rerouted him to Atlanta ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Alexander-Walker played 51 games for Utah between 2021 and 2023.
Related: Late Run Lifts Hawks Past Jazz In Atlanta
Landale, Alexander-Walker Serve Up Loss For Jazz
The Jazz officially traded Landale to Atlanta at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, and by Thursday night, he was starting for the Hawks.
The Australian center made an immediate impact, posting 26 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in the win.
Alexander-Walker also delivered, finishing with 23 points and five assists, including the game-winning jumper with fewer than two seconds left.
NICKEIL GOT THE SHOOTER’S ROLL FOR THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/kn08UdJgkr
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 6, 2026
Some fans may regret seeing the former Jazz players succeed elsewhere, but these types of performances are precisely what the franchise has tried to avoid from veterans as it meanders through its rebuild.
After acquiring Landale in the blockbuster deal that brought Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah, the Jazz faced a choice: keep a talented center who might help them win unwanted games, or trade him for future assets while protecting their lottery odds. They ultimately moved Landale, clearing the way for a separate trade with Cleveland involving Lonzo Ball and two second-round picks.
Landale represents the final chapter in the Jazz’s rebuilding strategy, while Alexander-Walker was one of the first. Utah included Alexander-Walker in the February 2023 trade that sent Mike Conley to Minnesota, marking the true start of the team’s multiyear restructuring.
The @utahjazz have officially acquired two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. from the @memgrizz.
▪️What does Jaren Jackson Jr. offer?
▪️Was this a good trade?#takenote https://t.co/p3RaU64fOW— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 4, 2026
Before dealing Alexander-Walker, the Jazz were 27-28 under Will Hardy. Since then, they are 74-169.
As Tuesday’s mega-trade signaled the beginning of the end of the franchise’s toughest four-year stretch in decades, the team and its fans may still have to endure a few more months of pain before turning the page.
Jazz Aren’t Sitting Isaiah Collier — Yet
With Keyonte George injured and Walt Clayton Jr. now with the Memphis Grizzlies, Isaiah Collier has played 96 straight minutes for the Jazz.
The second-year guard handed out a career-high 22 assists with 17 points in a win over the Pacers earlier this week, then set a new scoring mark with 25 points along with 11 assists and seven rebounds against Atlanta.
“I know a lot will be made of Isaiah playing 48 minutes again,” Hardy said. “But, he’s a young kid, and yeah, I’m not gonna talk about load management.”
in the lane making that sweet 𝓈𝓂𝑜𝑜𝓉𝒽 𝒿𝒶𝓏𝓏 🎷 pic.twitter.com/XiQk3OM0nx
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 6, 2026
Collier has made the most of his opportunity over the last two games, showing he can run a team for long stretches even if he remains George’s likely long-term backup.
His improved play may also earn him extended rest over the final 30 games if he continues at this pace.
The Jazz aren’t trying to win, as evidenced by benching Lauri Markkanen for the final 16 minutes of a one-possession game.
If Collier’s strong play threatens the team’s top-eight protected lottery pick, he could face a minutes restriction similar to Markkanen’s.
Next Utah Jazz Broadcast
The Jazz will travel to face the Orlando Magic on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
