New Report Throws Cold Water on Jazz Acquiring Luka Dončić
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The offseason chatter that Dallas Mavericks All-Star Luka Dončić might be available via trade appears to be losing steam. Just last week, John Hollinger of The Athletic reported that the Utah Jazz are keeping tabs on the rumblings that Dončić may not be happy in Dallas.
“With my spies telling me that Utah in particular is keeping a very interested eye on Dončić’s situation," Hollinger wrote.
Let’s fast forward to the present. According to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Mavericks are playing for keeps in 2023-24, circling the No. 10 overall pick in the draft as a chip to roster-build around Dončić.
"Now, the Mavericks are expected to evaluate options to trade that pick," Fischer wrote. "Dallas is looking for win-now talent to put alongside Luka Dončić, and a potentially re-signed Kyrie Irving."
Dončić becoming available in the trade market always felt like a pipe dream, but it’s worth noting that an All-Star caliber player finds his way out of Dodge in search of greener pastures every year.
If an opportunity were to present itself via trade, the Jazz have a treasure trove of draft capital that could be used to compete in a bidding war. Currently, the Jazz are sitting on 14 first-round picks over the next six years, including three in the upcoming draft.
If Utah is aggressive in obtaining an All-Star through a trade, a problem moving forward could be the precedent that Jazz CEO Danny Ainge set last year in the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell deals. Acquiring a player like Dončić would trump what Utah received in either exchange, which may not leave much on the bone to build a contender around a superstar.
Just ask the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, and Minnesota Timberwolves how it’s working out so far. It remains to be seen how Utah will upgrade its roster, but we do know changes are coming.
According to GM Justin Zanik, the focus will be on acquiring good players, regardless of how it happens.
“We want good players,” Zanik said in his postseason press conference. “It doesn’t matter how we find good players, we want good players. If the chances come up on the trade market, great. But we’re not going to be pushed by a timeline. For us, this is a continuous timeline of just trying to make good decisions.”
It's shaping up to be another eventful summer for Jazz fans.
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