The world has a new meme to use thanks to a recent appearance by Brian Windhorst on ESPN. He had a two-minute segment in which he captivated the audience and the NBA world as he eloquently asked, what is going on with the Utah Jazz?
Minutes after it was announced that the Brooklyn Nets had received a trade request from Kevin Durant, the team made a trade with the Jazz. Utah sent Royce O’Neale to Brooklyn in exchange for a 2023 first-round draft pick.
It was something that went under the radar because people were focused on the Durant news. However, it didn’t slip past Windhorst, who openly questioned what it meant for the franchise. He ended up being spot on, as Utah would end up trading Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a package of five players and four draft picks, all of which are unprotected, and one pick swap.
People are now wondering, what will be next for the Jazz? Will they end up trading Donovan Mitchell? Danny Ainge is known for tearing down rosters upon joining a front office and this offseason has gone like his previous stops.
However, it sounds as if Utah plans on retooling the roster around Mitchell. Armed with a ton of draft picks, they could build a compelling package for an established player. Could restricted free agent Deandre Ayton be someone they have their eyes on?
LATEST NBA FREE AGENCY NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Pursuing Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton After Rudy Gobert Trade?
The Jazz is now in need of a center with Gobert heading to Minnesota. Alas, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, that is unlikely. Ayton is drawing interest, but as of now, none of it comes from Salt Lake City.
“Ayton’s restricted free agency appears to be the offseason domino Durant’s trade limbo has most directly stalled. Toronto and Indiana have repeatedly been mentioned as looming landing spots for the talented young center, but Utah has been described to B/R as an unlikely destination for Ayton, despite the Jazz moving off Gobert.”
It is a little bit surprising that the Jazz isn’t a likelier destination for Ayton as he would be a solid long-term replacement for Gobert in the middle. Turning only 25 years old later in July, Ayton would fit the timeline that the team is now seemingly on if they are going to be building around Mitchell.
LATEST NBA FREE AGENCY NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz Pursuing Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton After Rudy Gobert Trade?
Utah is a team that people are going to keep their eyes on because they are not done. Windhorst was onto something when he made his appearance on ESPN and now people are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
