Jazz Open to Trade Pitches on Everyone But Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler

The Jazz are open to taking trade calls on everyone except forward Lauri Markkanen or rookie center Walker Kessler, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Or at least, that is the “rising belief leaguewide,” Stein wrote.

Markkanen came over in the Donovan Mitchell trade with the Cavaliers and has looked like an All-Star in his first season in Utah, averaging 24.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, while shooting 52 percent from the field and 43 percent on 3-pointers.

So it would make sense if the Jazz truly do consider him off-limits.

Meanwhile, Kessler has displayed steady improvement since being selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He is averaging 7.5 points and 7.2 rebounds, shooting 71 percent from the field in his first 46 games.

The Jazz have been increasingly mentioned in trade rumors leading up to the Feb. 9 deadline, with reportedly available Hawks forward John Collins said to be among those on their radar. As Hoops Wire reported, they are also interested in Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, sources said.

Jazz players who seem to be drawing the most trade interest ahead of the deadline include guards Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley, as well as power forward Jarred Vanderbilt.