NBA Notes: Jazz, Jaren Jackson Jr, Pistons, Nuggets, Lonzo Ball

Jazz

Jaren Jackson Jr. is officially up and running in Utah.

The newly acquired big man made his Jazz debut Saturday against Orlando, posting 22 two points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in just 25 minutes.

He sat during crunch time, along with several other rotation pieces, in what very much looked like controlled, intentional late-game management.

Call it soft tanking.

Jackson did not seem bothered. Quite the opposite, actually.

“(Coach Will Hardy) is just getting to know me, I’m getting to know him, and we’re seeing how we can build this thing into something beautiful,” Jackson told Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. “It’s been good conversations.”

Jackson’s role will likely grow over time, but for now, Utah appears content balancing development, evaluation and lottery positioning.

Jackson is healthy, productive, and engaged. That part matters.

Pistons

Detroit made a clear statement about Daniss Jenkins.

The Pistons converted Jenkins from a two-way deal to a two-year, $8 million standard contract using part of their bi-annual exception. The deal includes a team option for next season and represents the richest single-season payout ever for a converted two-way player.

To make room, Detroit waived Dario Saric.

Jenkins earned it. The second-year guard hit his 50-game limit Friday and has been Cade Cunningham’s primary backup most of the season. In 42 games, he’s averaging 8.2 points and shooting nearly 40 percent from three.

Jenkins recently admitted that being undrafted still fuels him.

“For me, going undrafted is insanity,” he told Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free-Press. “That burns inside of me every single day.”

Nuggets

Denver still has work to do.

The Nuggets are carrying 13 standard contracts and must add at least one more by February 19. Coach David Adelman said the decision is not simple, especially with playoff matchups and injury insurance both in mind.

The front office is weighing ball-handling, wing depth and size. Lonzo Ball remains a name of interest after clearing waivers.

Denver also plans to promote two-way guard Spencer Jones once he clears concussion protocol. The Nuggets believe they can add Jones and another player without re-entering the luxury tax.

It is less about urgency and more about fit. In the West, that calculus changes fast.