Jazz Talk Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Obi Toppin With Knicks

The Jazz and Knicks have held exploratory talks on Utah shooting guard Malik Beasley and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

As part of the proposed package, the Knicks would send swingman Evan Fournier, forward Obi Toppin and draft compensation to the Jazz, Scotto wrote.

And it is that draft capital that appears to be the sticking point in the talks, Scotto noted.

Fournier’s $18.9 million salary is guaranteed for next season, and for the Jazz to take that on, they would probably want an unprotected first-rounder. That’s something Jazz CEO Danny Ainge has landed plenty of in previous trades already within the past year. So it would make sense if that’s what he wants from the Knicks.

On the other hand, New York may want protections on whatever picks they’d send to the Jazz.

But it’s believed the Jazz haven’t just spoken to the Knicks about Beasley or Vanderbilt. Beasley has also been linked to the Cavaliers and Hawks, as well as the Suns and Pelicans. Vanderbilt has reportedly drawn interest from the Pacers and Trail Blazers, among others.

As an interesting aside, Knicks executive Gersson Rosas is the former GM of the Timberwolves, and signed Beasley and Vanderbilt (former Wolves themselves) to their current contracts.

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday.

Sources: The Knicks and Jazz have had exploratory trade talks involving Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, and draft pick compensation for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt. Details on @hoopshype. https://t.co/wCHNrDlTTy

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 4, 2023