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After a night of craziness, we delve into the totally crazy as the next 12 hours (because deals will happen after the 3 p.m. Eastern deadline). For the Utah Jazz the rumors have been abound about the movement / liberation of Trey Burke. One of the most vocal (their side is leaking info) suitors are the Houston Rockets. Houston is highly motivated to move Ty Lawson. He's not working for them. He's coming off the bench for them. And he's making more than Derrick Favors this year and gets a raise next year. It's gotten to the point that rumblings out of H-Town suggest that if they can't move Lawson that they'll just waive him instead. So, it's more for them than for the Jazz to get a proposed deal (which would have to include more salaries, like Trevor Booker) done.
But what about Trey? Apparently it's surfacing that his camp believes that he should get a chance to compete for a starting spot somewhere. I feel like he's a Top 40 PG in the league, I don't know if he's a Top 30 PG in the league. But there are lots of things I do not know and I am willing to admit as such. Other people commenting on the Burke in Utah situation know more, or at least put on the airs that they do. In a way, many are assuming that the Jazz wish to honor his desire to be a starter somewhere and will move him sooner rather than later. For Utah they don't need Lawson, and perhaps with the emergence of Raul Neto and the hopes that Dante Exum returns healthy, that they don't need Burke either.
So if he is to be moved, it may not be for Lawson -- but someone else.
Now for the tweets!
Sources say Houston, well aware Utah has been on the hunt for a veteran point guard for the stretch run, is pitching Ty Lawson to the Jazz
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 17, 2016
Utah, meanwhile, has made Trey Burke available, but at least one more player must be added if talks progress because salaries aren't close
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 17, 2016
If Jazz do decide to gamble on Ty Lawson ... remember it's a dice roll mitigated by the fact Lawson's deal is fully unguaranteed next season
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2016
Growing sense around the league is that the Jazz are poised to go through with the Ty Lawson deal with the Rockets
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2016
Ty Lawson talks are serious and Jazz have committed to ship out Trey Burke ... 12 hours and change left for someone to trump Houston's offer
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2016
ESPN sources say Rockets, if Ty Lawson trade talks with Utah were to collapse, would strongly consider waiving Lawson if they can't move him
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 18, 2016
Let me be clear... Trey has been a pro in every way in Utah, but everyone there knows Trey wants to start. https://t.co/lbAV7l4fBD
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Jazz do not view Trey as a starter and are willing to move him to help his achieve his own goals... its not bitter https://t.co/lbAV7l4fBD
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
This is not a case of a hate it here, get me out... its not like that at all. https://t.co/lbAV7l4fBD
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Jazz have cap space, so they can eat most of it... what I was told was Burke and Pleiss... https://t.co/5OEnbCuAbL
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
I updated the language as people are clinging to the wrong part of that. Burke wants to start. https://t.co/tgtkKaNBGo
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Everyone wants him to have a chance to start... not gonna happen in Utah. He's a good solider, Jazz know it. https://t.co/VawPed7zv0
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
That is who Trey is, not that guy to wine and moan, just does what he's asked. https://t.co/ie2yCZ9E52
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Not in pro sports where contracts are based on how you play... can't expect him to waste his career. https://t.co/2zktjjdToB
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
A Wrinkle With Ty Lawson To Utah - https://t.co/5M6AV5HFQf
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Utah not willing to give Lawson assurance he'll be a free agent after the season. Is what Houston did to get him https://t.co/JMfI4ezOsQ
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Trade could still happen, but Jazz won't do it if Lawson not 100% on board. https://t.co/JMfI4ezOsQ
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
I know a lot of players that loved living in Utah. Marvin Williams raved about it. Its great if you have a family. https://t.co/aAo5nBjVl6
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
I think as we get closer to 3pm EST, things could change, but Jazz may move on too. https://t.co/vccWlPTRJO
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Currently Lawson has full Bird Rights... but the point being if waived, he likely goes unclaimed and unrestricted https://t.co/qwkA3344ph
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
His career is in the toilet after failed Houston situation -- has to revive his career ahead of free agency. https://t.co/CParjxTOpp
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 18, 2016
Trey Burke was present at shootaround this morning. Was told "pregame" when I inquired about media availability
— Tony Jones (@Tjonessltrib) February 18, 2016
Jazz PR continues to break NBA rules by not allowing media to interview Trey Burke upon request.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) February 18, 2016
It's obviously frustrating when you can't do your job as well as you'd like. I do respect @UtahJazzPR, though. https://t.co/tkRBqqjVH1
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) February 18, 2016
The big question is if Lawson would be allowed to wear a headband in Utah...Sloan/Corbin didn't allow it, but Snyder? These things matter
— Austin Horton (@austinhorton) February 18, 2016
Okay, there's a lot there. First of all, we have to look at one huge thing -- Lawson is a troubled player off the court who is limping into 2016 Free Agency with not much to show for himself. He's more desperate than Trey is right now. Second, the Jazz don't have to help Lawson out, but they feel like helping Trey out because he did the opposite of what Enes Kanter did, and they did move Kanter as he requested.
A classy organization tries to keep it classy, and the Jazz will be doing that if they move Trey. Personally, I would rather everything work out, but players and teams need to figure it out for themselves. There can be other suitors for Trey, but their sides are not leaking info. And we know the Jazz run a tight lipped ship. Trey is better than Ty. I think Utah also knows that, especially with their slow pace of play, that Ty's strengths will be eliminated in the #801.
If a move is made it's because Utah wants it to happen. And not because the Houston Rockets are desperate enough to move a guy that they are thinking of eating his $12 million in salary by cutting him.
EDIT: #WOJBOMB
Sources: Rockets, Jazz had casual talks on Ty Lawson, but those ended. Both teams moved on. Another thing: Rockets won't buy out Lawson.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 18, 2016