Utah Jazz Trade Rumors: Mike Conley does not want trade, Rubio and Favors could leave and more

The Jazz's deadline day plans revolve around Mike Conley
The Jazz's deadline day plans revolve around Mike Conley

Teams around the NBA now have less than 24 hours to make any final trades before the end of the 2018/19 season. The NBA's trade deadline will come into effect tomorrow at 3 pm ahead of the All-Star Event in North Carolina, and a number of last minutes moves are expected.

After a strong start to 2019, the Utah Jazz currently boasts a 30-24 record, although the team is believed to be looking to make additions ahead of the deadline. Utah wants to add at least one star as the team aims to improve on the 17/18 season, in which the Jazz reached the Western Conference Semifinals.

This does, however, mean that departures are also likely, and as we enter the final few hours of the trade window, here are the moves that the Jazz are looking to make.


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#3 The Jazz continue to pursue Mike Conley

Dallas Mavericks v Memphis Grizzlies
Dallas Mavericks v Memphis Grizzlies

For the past week, the Utah Jazz have been attempting to complete a trade for Mike Conley, and according to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Jazz remain keen to sign the 31-year-old ahead of the trade deadline:

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, continue to press in their efforts to move Marc Gasol (Charlotte in the lead) and Mike Conley (Detroit and Utah are deeply interested but are yet to meet Memphis' asking price). Memphis is said to be seeking multiple first-round picks in exchange for Conley, and we have seen two deals in the last week (Porzingis and Tobias) that had teams (Dallas and Philly) willing to go to those lengths.

Conley has been a regular for the Grizzlies so far this season, averaging 20.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Evidently, the Jazz believe that Conley will boost the team's postseason chances, however, a major obstacle stands in the way of a deal, and this brings us to point 2.

#2 Mike Conley doesn't want to move to Utah

Memphis Grizzlies v Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies v Atlanta Hawks

While the Jazz are desperate to link up with Conley, it seems as though the feeling isn't mutual. ESPN's Brian Windhorst first reported Conley's reluctance to move to Utah during his podcast and within the last few hours, the New York Times' Marc Stein has confirmed Conley's hesitation to move to the Jazz:

There is reluctance on Conley's part to go to Utah. That said ... this is not the first time that the Jazz have heard that. Conley is owed $66 million over the next two seasons. If Utah and Memphis came to terms, Conley would have to go.

Conley's current unwillingness to join the Jazz puts the organization in a tough spot with just 24 hours remaining to get a deal done, and this trade is likely to go all the way down to the deadline.

#1 Derrick Favors and Ricky Rubio could be part of the Conley trade

Portland Trail Blazers v Utah Jazz
Portland Trail Blazers v Utah Jazz

If the Jazz manage to pull off a trade for Conley, a number of Utah's current roster will have to make way as part of the deal. In regards to who would depart, Eric Woodyard of Deseret News is reporting that the experienced duo of Derrick Favors and Ricky Rubio are likely to be among the players to make way:

Derrick Favors’ camp has been in touch with the Jazz, and to their understanding, the trade rumors are real with him and Rubio being linked to a Mike Conley Jr. deal. However, both players are still here in Utah and remain focused on the Suns tonight until further notice.

Rubio has made 47 appearances for the Jazz this season, averaging 12.9 points and 6.1 assists per game. Meanwhile, Favors has been with the team since 2011, and the 27-year-old is currently averaging 10.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram
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