Report: O’Neale Drawing Interest, Jazz Want 1st Round Pick
Jun 23, 2022, 1:48 PM
Royce O'Neale and Mike Conley of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – With the NBA Draft just hours away, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer is reporting that Utah Jazz are seeking a first round pick, and Royce O’Neale and Mike Conley are names being mentioned in trade discussions.
The Jazz don’t currently have a selection in tonight’s draft, but that could change depending on the moves they make in thenext several hours, if any.
“Utah is searching for a first-round pick to move any non-Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert rotation player,” Fischer wrote. “Royce O’Neale has registered a bevy of trade interest from around the league.”
Atlanta and San Antonio have discussed a deal that would swap John Collins for Dejounte Murray, sources said. Spurs have told interests teams that moving Murray would require a "Jrue Holiday-like package." More league-wide trade notes @BR_NBA: https://t.co/Q06G8qLlVu
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 23, 2022
O’Neale has been a steady starter for the Jazz over the last three seasons. but has two years and nearly $20 million remaining on his deal, and the franchise is facing steep luxury tax costs in the coming seasons.
Along with O’Neale, Conley was the other Jazz player mentioned by name in Fischer’s article at Bleacher Report.
“Other veteran ball-handlers said to be available for trade, in addition to the aforementioned (DeJounte) Murray and (D’Angelo) Russell, are Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier, Pelicans point guard Devonte’ Graham, along with Nuggets table-setter Monte Morris,” Fischer wrote.
Conley signed a three-year extension with the Jazz last summer and still has two years and nearly $47 million left on his contract with the team.
One day after reporting the @utahjazz would prefer to hold onto both Gobert and Mitchell, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said Mike Conley is the player most likely to be traded. #TakeNote | @ZoneSportsNet https://t.co/pX3Isw42ly
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 12, 2022
After making his first All-Star appearance in 2021, Conley saw his numbers drop across the board during the 2021-22 NBA season.
According to Fischer, O’Neale and Conley may not be the only Jazz players that could be moved on draft night.
“Utah is searching for a first-round pick to move any non-Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert rotation player,” Fischer reported.
The draft begins at 6 pm MT, Ben Anderson, Jake Scott, and Tim LaComb will have live coverage of the draft on 97.5 KSL Sports Zone throughout the first round.
