The Utah Jazz are “keeping a very interested eye” on Luka Doncic’s situation with the Dallas Mavericks, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. After the Mavericks missed the NBA play-in tournaments this season, Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported Dallas has some degree of fear that Doncic could request a trade as soon as the summer of 2024.
The Jazz have a bevy of draft picks after trading All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell last summer. If Doncic requests a trade from the Mavericks, Utah could offer Dallas a compelling offer for the superstar.
The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen is reporting that the Jazz are “keenly interested” in a potential trade for Doncic, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since Luka is one of the best players in the NBA. The four-time All-Star averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists this season while shooting 49.6% from the field, 34.2% from beyond the arc, and 74.2% from the free-throw line. Doncic recorded 36 double-doubles and 10 triple-doubles.
NBA Analysis Network first reported about the Jazz’s interest in Doncic in April.
“There is no telling what the future holds for the Mavs and Luka, but teams are swirling like sharks in the water,” a former NBA executive told NBA Analysis Network. “The Jazz, in particular, plan to pursue Luka if and when he becomes available.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Utah Jazz Updates
During his end-of-the-season press conference, Doncic told Mavericks reporters that he was “happy” in Dallas, but he also admitted that “something’s got to change.” The 2018-19 Rookie of the Year signed a five-year, $215.2 million designated rookie contract extension with the Mavericks in August 2021.
“Something’s got to change for sure,” Doncic said. “I mean, last year we went to Western Conference finals. We were having fun. I always talk about the chemistry we had. It was great. But something’s got to change for sure.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Utah Jazz Updates
The Mavericks were only 5-11 in games Doncic and Kyrie Irving played together this season. That was the worst winning percentage (.313) for a pair of teammates who were both All-Stars since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976-77, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
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