It didn't seem like it at first, but the Utah Jazz have gotten involved in perhaps the most shocking trade in the NBA history. At first, it didn't seem like it was real when ESPN's Shams Charania reported the deal.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
It still didn't seem real even when he gave out the full details, which included the Jazz themselves.
Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
- Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st
- Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd https://t.co/bltojdTaQj
But then, other reporters confirmed it. Obviously, the Jazz's involvement is perhaps the least important development from this deal, but they were still involved nonetheless. And anyone who was paying attention knows why.
Back when there were rumors about Walker Kessler and the Lakers over the offseason, it was reported that the Jazz wanted Hood-Schifino. While it's been pretty clear as day that the Jazz have no interest in trading Kessler to the Lakers, that doesn't mean Hood-Schifino wasn't a future Jazzman.
Now they've got their guy, and it didn't really cost them a thing.
Hood-Schifino is (perhaps) a good buy-low candidate
It's easy to buy low on a former first-round pick when that former first-round pick has barely even played. There's not much to analyze with the newest Jazzman because there really isn't much game film on him. The only confirmed fact besides that the Jazz got him is that they wanted him.
After the trade the Jazz made earlier today, they will potentially secure the roster space when they likely waive both PJ Tucker and Mo Bamba, which should open up space to bring in Hood-Schifino.
Because the season is already pretty much done and away with, there's no real harm in something like this. This is especially true, considering the Jazz could turn to their youth completely outside Lauri Markkanen when trading season is all said and done.
The biggest twist from Utah's side of things is that everyone believed ahead of time that they would be active at the trade deadline, and they have, but not like this. Over the past week or so, we've seen them do the following:
-Exchange multiple picks for a better one
-Trade Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills for a second-round pick
-Get a target they wanted as part of an absolutely insane deal
It feels like a predictable movie that somehow had some pretty crazy twists, though the audience knows how it's going to end. The three trades the Jazz have made won't be remembered from their side of things, but this might be the appetizer for what's to come.