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
Utah Jazz eyeing Brandon Ingram.
Jazz Explore Brandon Ingram Trade, Walker Kessler’s Future
The Utah Jazz have been making waves in the NBA rumor mill, with reports suggesting exploratory talks about acquiring Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans. While it’s important to note that having exploratory talks is a fundamental part of any front office’s job, this particular rumor raises some interesting questions about the Jazz’s current strategy and future plans.
The reported talks involving Ingram were apparently shut down when he expressed unwillingness to sign an extension in Utah. This situation highlights a recurring challenge for smaller market teams in attracting and retaining star talent. However, it’s crucial to remember that this issue isn’t unique to Utah – many NBA cities face similar hurdles.
From a roster construction standpoint, any potential trade for Ingram would likely have involved John Collins or a combination of Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson to match salaries. This gives us insight into how the Jazz might be valuing their current assets and their willingness to shake up the roster for the right opportunity.
Walker Kessler’s Development and Trade Value
One of the brightest spots of the season has been the development of Walker Kessler. He’s shown significant improvement and consistency, establishing himself as a reliable NBA starter and rotation player. Kessler’s progress raises questions about his long-term future with the team and his potential trade value.
While Kessler has proven to be a solid 20-25 minute per night player, there are still questions about his ability to close games and his impact on team defense. These factors will likely play a role in any contract negotiations or trade discussions moving forward.
It’s worth noting that almost every player in the NBA is tradeable for the right price. However, given Kessler’s proven ability as a rotation player on a rookie contract, it would likely take a significant offer – potentially including high draft picks – for the Jazz to consider moving him.
The upcoming contract negotiations with Kessler will be a crucial factor in determining his future with the team. The market for centers of his caliber suggests a range of potential contract values, and finding the right balance between team needs and player expectations will be key.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Jazz’s roster decisions and trade rumors, tune into the Locked On Jazz podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Jazz Podcast:
• Jimmy Butler’s comments about losing joy for basketball
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
After weeks of downplay by his agent and denials by Heat president Pat Riley, Jimmy Butler has finally said the quiet part out loud to a room of postgame media about his future in Miami.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon — but I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that,” Butler said.
In a quick follow up, Butler was asked whether he thought he could get his joy back with the Heat.
“Probably not,” he said without any hesitation.
As a Butler in Miami believer, my surprise stems from the state of the team. That the front office has let the Heat’s roster slowly erode to the strange place of competitive limbo they find themselves in. Losing key role players, like Max Strus and Caleb Martin, plus offensive gap fillers like Gabe Vincent, has left the Heat without much depth. The undeniable talent of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro — who is having one of his best seasons, despite it all — and sophomore Jamie Jaquez Jr. is there, and for years Duncan Robinson has worked to be whatever the team needs him to be, but the scrappy longevity and the plucky punches this team was capable of pulling two and three seasons ago are gone.
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
Honor Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the “MVP of the NBA.”(ESPN)
Injury Pistons Jaden Ivey undergoes surgery to repair his broken fibula, and his earliest timeline for return is four weeks. (SportsNet)
Watch Charles Barkley calls out JJ Redick over NBA ratings comments, “dead man walking.” (Awful Announcing)
Analysis The Utah Jazz are eyeing Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, drawing comparisons to stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Their draft strategy seems focused on securing a transformative talent. (SLC Dunk)
Feel Good Cody Williams shined brightly with the SLC Stars, recording a career-high of 35 points. His breakout game is a promising sign for the Jazz’s future and a moment of excitement for fans. (SLC Dunk)
Milestone Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum lead the first voting results for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. This milestone underscores their consistent elite performance this season. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Jimmy Butler’s Trade Request Shakes Up Miami Heat & Fantasy Basketball
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks on from the bench during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
I’ve been hearing whispers about potential issues between Butler and the Heat organization for months now. Sources close to the situation indicated that the Heat were hesitant to offer Butler a contract extension, which reportedly left him feeling undervalued and frustrated.
Butler’s recent press conference comments, where he stated he may never regain his joy for playing basketball while with the Heat, seem to confirm these tensions. His on-court performance has also noticeably dipped, with Butler appearing disengaged and putting up subpar numbers.
From a fantasy perspective, Butler’s potential departure raises questions about who might step up in his absence. However, looking at games where Butler has been out this season, no clear beneficiary has emerged. Players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson have failed to consistently produce starter-level fantasy numbers in Butler’s absence.
Click the button below to get the inside scoop on a rookie center’s breakout game.
TRADE REACTION - Did Utah Jazz get best asset available at the trade deadline
David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, explores the potential impact of the Utah Jazz’s recent trade acquisition: an unprotected 2031 Phoenix Suns first-round pick. He analyzes the value of this asset, comparing it to other potential trades at the deadline and discussing the Jazz’s strategy in accumulating future draft capital. Locke breaks down the complexities of Phoenix’s draft situation and the challenges they may face in rebuilding their roster under current NBA rules.
TRADE REACTION: Utah Jazz trade 3 first rounders for 1 first rounder. Does this make sense?
David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, breaks down the Utah Jazz’s recent trade with the Phoenix Suns. The Jazz traded their lesser first-round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029 for an unprotected 2031 Phoenix pick. Locke analyzes the trade’s value using his pick valuation system, revealing potential risks and rewards for both teams.
#askloj - NBA trade market insights: How it impacts the Utah Jazz
David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, explores the dynamic trade landscape surrounding the Utah Jazz. He analyzes potential moves involving key players like John Collins, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson, while highlighting the development of young talents such as Keyonte George. Locke offers a unique perspective on the trade market, suggesting that numerous quality players are available, but none significantly outshine the others.
