Even though talks are continuing between the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz, there are apparently no imminent deals brewing between the two teams.
Tony Jones, who covers the Jazz for The Athletic, appeared on “The Drive with Spence Checketts” podcast and pointed out (at the 4:50 mark) why trade talks are moving so slowly.
“They’ve been talking to the Lakers,” said Jones. “The Jazz made an offer to the Lakers. The Lakers made a counteroffer to the Jazz. Those two offers were far apart, and I don’t know that there’s going to be enough of a gap to be bridged in order for a trade to happen there.
“I can tell you that the Jazz were seeking one of Los Angeles’ first-round picks, but the asking price for that first-round pick is probably too much for what the Jazz are willing to pay.”
The Jazz have spent much of this offseason rebuilding their roster. Those efforts were prominently noted in huge deals involving center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell.
Gobert was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves while Mitchell was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with each deal bringing back a mix of current talent and future assets.
One of the reasons why the Lakers have been so hesitant to offer any future first-round picks in deals is because they have so few for the near future. Yet, they fully realize that getting back into championship contention may force them to give those future selections up.
Three prominent Jazz players that have been mentioned as possible trade candidates are forward Bojan Bogdanovic and guards Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley. However, the Jazz are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in exchange for each of the players.
Those expectations partly explain why trade discussions have moved so slowly between the Jazz and other teams. Bogdanovic appears to be garnering plenty of interest from the Lakers.
One report indicated that the Lakers and Phoenix Suns are among the teams competing for Bogdanovic’s services. He’s in the final year of his contract and could offer the Lakers some needed shooting.
The Lakers are reportedly interested in Clarkson, a player they dealt to the Cavaliers in 2018. In addition, veteran guard Mike Conley is on their potential shopping list among Jazz players.
Whether or not Beasley ends up being dealt could be determined by the Jazz’s willingness to back off the reported asking price of a first-round pick. He was acquired in the package the Jazz received in exchange for Gobert.
NBA training camps open up later this month, with the Lakers seeking to wipe away the bad taste of last season’s humiliation of missing the playoffs outright.
