It has been a while since the Utah Jazz were mentioned as an Austin Reaves suitor, but until his next deal is announced or until it's confirmed that they're out on him, he'll still be mentioned on here. However, we've got our first tidbit more or less confirming how far behind they are on a pursuit, though that's not like everyone couldn't already see how tough it would be for Utah to get him.
The Athletic's Dan Woike reported on June 12 that Brooklyn is expected to go all in on Reaves this summer, and that they're not the only ones who will have interest.
"Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a four-year, $178.5 million contract expected to be offered. League sources said the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are among a group of interested teams that can create space to make competitive offers. Other teams could also emerge," Woike wrote.
As everyone should know, a Reaves pursuit was more plausible before the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Because Utah is still under the tax, it is still on the table, but the Jazz would have to move some pieces for that to happen.
Not to mention if the Jazz draft Darryn Peterson, adding Reaves would feel like overkill. Regardless, teams like the Nets can add Reaves because he's among the best options out there and they've got money to spend.
The Jazz were once in that position, but decided to spend their money on someone they definitely needed.
Reaves joining the Jazz always sounded wonky
When these rumors first perked up half a year ago, even then, it was kind of odd because Utah adding Reaves just as Keyonte George was breaking out made it hard to envision how the two of them would fit together.
For as potent as they would be offensively, there would have been some questions about how they would have fared defensively. The fact of the matter is, there is some uncertainty surrounding whether the Lakers maxing out Reaves is the best move because, for as good as as he and Luka Doncic are together, their defensive shortcomings limit the Lakers' ceiling.
It's hard to think how that wouldn't be the same case if he and George shared the backcourt together. But who knows? Maybe Utah throws caution to the wind and does everything to get him in a Jazz uniform.
No one thought JJJ would end up with the Jazz, but here he is, and that deal has only looked better with passing day despite him only playing three games for the team and on a minutes restriction no less. If they think Reaves is that last piece, and the feeling is mutual, they should go for it.
But again, because a process like this is much more straightforward for Brooklyn than it would be for Utah.
Add us as a preferred source on Google