The Utah Jazz would have pursued Kristaps Porzingis had the power forward declined his 2023-24 player option and hit unrestricted free agency starting on June 30, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Jazz won’t get the chance to go after Porzingis, who was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Boston Celtics in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Along the way I heard from multiple rival teams that were convinced Porziņģis, had he not landed with the Celtics, was poised to receive strong free agent interest from Utah had he elected to decline his $36 million player option for next season before Wednesday’s midnight deadline,” Stein wrote.
Porzingis opted into his player option for next season as part of the Wizards-Celtics-Grizzlies trade. Boston could sign the former New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks star to a contract extension before the 2023-24 season starts. He is eligible for a maximum two-year extension worth $77 million.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics & Utah Jazz Updates
Had the Jazz been able to get Porzingis, they would have had a lethal frontcourt of Porzingis, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Instead, Utah will have to face Porzingis two times next season when the Celtics and Jazz play.
Porzingis averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists this past season for the Wizards while shooting 49.8% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 85.1% from the free-throw line. The 27-year-old projects to be the third option on offense next season for the Celtics behind small forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics & Utah Jazz Updates
Porzingis has career averages of 19.6 points, 7.9 boards and 1.8 assists with the Knicks, Mavericks and Wizards. The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games, so they felt they needed to make a blockbuster move this offseason.
Meanwhile, the Jazz missed the playoffs this year after trading All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last offseason.
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