One week into free agency, what are the Utah Jazz doing?
By Dan Lower
The 2024-25 NBA season officially kicked off for the Utah Jazz with the June 30th start to free agency, and just over a week later, the biggest names have chosen where they will play next season.
While players like Paul George, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, and Isaiah Hartenstein changed to new zip codes, others stayed put - James Harden, Malik Monk and OG Anunoby.
Lost in all of this is where the Utah Jazz and Danny Ainge's "Big Game Hunting" would end up. As star after star came off the free agency board, Jazz fans anxiously watched to see what the team would do.
What the Jazz have been up to thus far
To date, the Jazz have made one significant addition in free agency - Drew Eubanks, a backup center who played for Phoenix last season. They did add back a two-way player in Taevion Kinsey, who was with the Utah Stars for much of last season.
They have lost Kris Dunn, who signed with the LA Clippers—and declined a team option for Omer Yurtseven, who remains unsigned.
Kelly Iko of the Athletic reported today that Kira Lewis, Jr. has joined the Houston Rockets summer league squad, signaling that he is not returning to the Utah Jazz.
Talen Horton-Tucker, Luka Samanic, Johnny Juzang, and Micah Potter remain free agents.
With 3 rookies added in the draft, 2nd-year youngsters Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh; key veterans like Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and John Collins still on the roster, it's hard to see what the plan is for the Utah Jazz at the moment.
Markkanen is extension-eligible as of August 6th, but has been the subject of numerous trade rumors since the season ended, and if he signs that extension he can no longer be moved until February. So if Danny Ainge is going to press that button, it has to happen soon.
Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Jazz went deep in trade talks for Mikal Bridges, with the intent to lure Paul George to pair with him; Bridges was eventually dealt to the New York Knicks and Paul George ended up with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Jazz aren't sitting idly by, even if they haven't brought home any 'big game' yet. But they need to have a plan and get the fans on board with it. And soon.
With 7 players in their 3rd year or less, as well as veterans on affordable contracts, a full-on youth movement could be on deck. Trading Markkanen, especially if several interested parties are engaged, cannot be ignored as an option.
As the Jazz start summer league play, we eagerly await Danny Ainge's next move - will it be a signing? A trade? A teardown of the roster? Only time will tell.