David Locke here, the host of the daily Locked On Jazz podcast, with your daily Locked On Jazz newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Jazz and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Locked On Jazz
Why aren’t the Utah Jazz following Brooklyn’s trade frenzy
Why the Utah Jazz Aren’t Making Trades Like the Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have been making waves with their recent trades, unloading talent and accumulating second-round draft picks as they shift into full tank mode. This has left many Jazz fans wondering: why isn’t Utah making similar moves?
The answer lies in the complexities of NBA contracts and team strategies. While the Nets have traded players like Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Jazz’s tradeable assets come with different considerations.
Jordan Clarkson, Colin Sexton, and John Collins are the Jazz’s primary trade candidates. However, their contracts extend beyond this season, making them less attractive to teams looking for short-term solutions or trying to clear cap space.
For instance, the Golden State Warriors opted for Schroder over Clarkson likely due to Schroder’s expiring contract. Similarly, the Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Finney-Smith and Shake Milton instead of pursuing Sexton might be attributed to future salary considerations.
The Jazz’s Offensive Success
While trade discussions swirl, it’s worth noting that the Jazz offense has been thriving recently. Over the last 10 games, Utah ranks ninth in the NBA in offensive efficiency and third in shooting percentage. Their three-point shooting has been particularly impressive, with multiple players hitting at high clips.
This offensive success raises an intriguing question: what could Will Hardy’s team accomplish with a true point guard? When Hardy had Mike Conley earlier in his tenure, the Jazz boasted the fourth-best offense in the NBA.
The current offensive output, achieved without a traditional floor general, speaks volumes about Hardy’s system and the players’ adaptability. It also suggests that the Jazz might be hesitant to disrupt their current chemistry for second-round picks.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Jazz front office faces a delicate balancing act. They must weigh the potential long-term benefits of accumulating draft assets against the current team’s development and on-court success.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Jazz’s trade considerations and offensive strategies, tune into the Locked On Jazz podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Jazz Podcast:
• Detailed breakdown of recent offensive plays
• Analysis of Lauri Markkanen’s new rotation pattern
Dec 21, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a question during a post game interview after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Ed Szczepanski/Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fired on his way to meet his team at the airport, Anthony Edwards was fined again — this time a cool $100k — for profanity, Amen Thompson picked Tyler Herro up and skipped him like a stone over the hardwood floor, the Suns and Mavs got into it too, and D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Nets (again) in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. It was a busy weekend in the NBA.
But let’s not focus on the chaos. Let’s instead look to a milestone within the milieu of the NBA’s theatrics, one that’s sat looming, casting a long shadow over the league for years now and especially over LeBron James, who turns 40 today.
James is a rare athlete in many ways. He’s been dominant in every decade of his career — and it’s rare enough to pluralize “decade” when discussing the length of an athlete’s career — and at one point was the greatest athlete on the planet. He’s won NBA titles, Olympic gold medals, has played a huge role in furthering athlete autonomy and reshaping the public’s perception of what an athlete can do and be off the court (or field, rink, etc.) in terms of political and social awareness and advocacy. He’s the first ever athlete to play alongside his son at a professional level and he’s advanced, even introduced, the concept of recovery and physical and mental longevity for an athlete.
He’s also still capable of forcefully taking your breath away with a rousing block, dunk, and the ability to toss his team on his back and take control of the game — he’s still averaging 23.5 points, 9 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
James’ rarest attribute though is something of a double-edged sword: his longevity. The quality of longevity, pure staying power, James has maintained throughout his career is the kind of consistency we just don’t see in sports yet he’s made it feel routine, totally normal.
The gift of this for basketball fans has been having James as both a metronome and a backdrop for over 20 seasons. Other players have taken what he’s done and made their own improvisations, but he’s the rhythm that drives the game like he’s the mountain set at the horizon, offering a perennial sense of direction. What happens when these two constant factors aren’t there anymore?
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Celebrate 40 great moments for LeBron James on his 40th birthday. (NBA.com)
Milestone By the numbers: a statistical look at NBA milestones as LeBron James turns 40. (TSN)
Biz A look inside Mike Brown’s final days with the Sacramento Kings. (The Athletic)
Recap The Utah Jazz faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving fans with a detailed recap of the game. Analysis of player performances and key moments provides insights into the team’s dynamics. (SLC Dunk)
Feel Good Despite a loss to the Sixers, the Utah Jazz found a moral victory in their performance. Players showed resilience and determination, earning respect from fans. (Deseret News)
Must Read For Utah Jazz enthusiasts looking to deepen their basketball knowledge, here are some book recommendations that provide valuable insights into the game and the team’s history. (Deseret News)
Preview The Nuggets will face off against the Jazz in a showdown at the Vivint Arena at 9:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
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Wednesday, Jan. 1 | 7:30PM | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | Get Tickets
Jazz @ Heat
Saturday, Jan. 4 | 8:00PM | Kaseya Center, Miami, FL | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Implications Of The Lakers & Nets Trade
Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The NBA trade market is heating up, and the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have made the first significant move of the season. In a surprising turn of events, D’Angelo Russell is heading back to Brooklyn, while Dorian Finney-Smith makes his way to Los Angeles.
The trade details are as follows:
Brooklyn receives:
D’Angelo Russell
Maxwell Lewis (2023 second-round pick)
Three second-round picks
Los Angeles receives:
Dorian Finney-Smith
Shake Milton
This move has significant implications for both teams and fantasy basketball managers alike. For Brooklyn, Russell’s return could shake up their backcourt rotation. With Cam Thomas also returning from injury, the Nets suddenly have an abundance of scoring guards. While this might lead to some exciting offensive performances, it could also create a defensive nightmare for Brooklyn.
Noah Clowney’s value may see an uptick with Finney-Smith’s departure. The rookie has shown flashes of potential in recent games, and this trade could open up more consistent minutes for him. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as the Nets’ rotation remains fluid.
Ben Simmons’ role is now in question. With Russell taking over primary ball-handling duties, Simmons might see a reduction in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation closely, as Simmons could become a potential drop candidate if his playing time dips significantly.
POSTCAST - Brice Sensabaugh shines in Utah Jazz’s thrilling game against the 76ers
David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and NBA Insider, and Ron Boone break down the Utah Jazz’s narrow 114-111 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The podcast highlights the Jazz’s strong performance, including a 12-point lead early on and multiple lead changes in the second half. BrIce Sensibaugh’s standout game is dissected, with his efficient 20-point performance on just nine shots drawing praise.
POSTCAST - Scoot Henderson buzzer beater negates Lauri Markkanen’s game tying 3
David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, alongside Ron Boone and ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, dissect the Utah Jazz’s nail-biting 122-120 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The trio analyzes Scoot Henderson’s game-winning buzzer-beater, Walker Kessler’s impressive defensive performance, and the Jazz’s remarkable 21-of-42 three-point shooting. They explore the development of young players like Isaiah Collier and the impact of role players Drew Eubanks and Johnny Juzang.
POSTCAST - Utah Jazz Walker Kessler’s Rebounding Dominance Shakes Up Cleveland Cavaliers
Walker Kessler dominates the glass as the Utah Jazz battle fiercely against the Cleveland Cavaliers. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, and Ron Boone break down the Jazz’s 124-113 loss, highlighting Kessler’s impressive 16-rebound performance, including 8 offensive boards. The duo analyzes Kessler’s growth, comparing him to Jarrett Allen and discussing his impact on both ends of the floor.
