West Notes: Jazz, Lauri Markkanen, Blazers, Grizzlies, Draymond Green

Jazz

The Jazz reportedly are listening to trade offers for Lauri Markkanen but that doesn’t mean he’s on the move.

“I wouldn’t categorize the Lauri situation as the Jazz ‘shopping’ him. There are interested teams that are gauging what it would take to get Markkanen away from Utah,” wrote Sarah Todd of the Deseret News. “I stand by the idea that the Jazz don’t WANT to trade Lauri, but if they get a godfather offer, it’s possible.”

• The Warriors are among those said to be aggressively pursuing Markkanen. The Kings, Spurs, Pelicans and Timberwolves also reportedly have spoken to Utah.
• Todd added that the Jazz should be careful about trading Markkanen. “I personally would have a hard time letting go of the guy that everybody wants,” she wrote. “But I think the Jazz are trying to be realistic about actually winning potential while also maximizing their own assets and what assets could be incoming.”

Trail Blazers

• The Blazers were fortunate that first-round pick Donovan Clingan dropped to No. 7 in the 2024 NBA Draft, wrote Bill Oram of the Herald and News. He could be exactly what the team needs.
• That said, you have to wonder how Clingan will fit with Deandre Ayton already on the roster and if the two will play side-by-side despite both being natural centers.
• No matter, GM Joe Cronin said the Blazers aren’t good enough to be “content” at any one position. We have that full post here.

Grizzlies

Warriors star forward Draymond Green admittedly came close to signing with the Grizzlies in 2023.

“Last year during free agency, I called (Klay Thompson), and I called (Steph Curry), separate calls, and (Steve Kerr), and I was just telling them, like, ‘Yo, I’m leaving. I’m going to Memphis,'” he said on his podcast, via Jonah Dylan of the Commercial Appeal. “And I remember that call with them. Because I was going to leave.”

• Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey is skipping the Olympics and won’t play for Team Canada, he said. “Since last summer I am been training and competing nonstop to achieve my goals of winning a national championship at Purdue and making it to the NBA,” Edey said in a statement. “I have a duty now to properly prepare for all that is coming my way with being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies.”