The day of reckoning has arrived for Utah Jazz trade rumors

We’ve all heard the rumors. Chances are, by this point you’ve probably spent countless hours on the trade machine, fighting through wet keyboards soaked in sweat and tears. You’ve worked hard trying your best to be an NBA GM, pretending like you know a lot about cap room, expiring contracts, and luxury tax. You’ve probably gone over hundreds of scenarios and dozens of trade packages trying to figure out the best possible deal for your team. Well, today is the day that ends that speculation. Today, my friends, is NBA trade deadline day.

Perhaps the hottest of NBA trade talk regarding the Utah Jazz is the that surrounding Rodney Hood. Hood has been involved in national trade talks for several weeks, with rumors of him being included in several potential deals. Hood commented on these trade speculations with Yahoo! Sports via The Vertical.

“It’s been tough for me, it has been, but at the same time, my obligation is to have a job,” Hood told Yahoo Sports. “For my family, for my loved ones, my priority is to have a job and perform. I’ve had great times in Utah, but regardless of where I’m playing, whether it’s there or somewhere else, I’m going to stay professional. I’m going to stick with it.

“My gut feeling is that I won’t be here by the deadline. I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I’ve felt isolated the past month and I would not be surprised if I was moved.

“People have told me to put things into perspective. It’s been tough for me to be in this situation, but it’s part of it. It’s part of the growing process. I just have to continue to get better and continue to learn. Whatever unfolds, I want people to know I stayed a pro and performed. I’m just looking to the future, playing in the playoffs and on a high level. Whatever happens, happens.”

Reading through Hood’s comments, it’s hard not to feel for the guy. He’s been a great player for the Jazz since being drafted three years ago. He’s performed well overall, but has had some struggles with consistency that has led to concerns about his overall value and ability to be a go-to scorer. But despite these trade rumors and inevitable awkwardness, Hood has stayed proffessional and respectable, at least with what he has says in the public eye.

“I’m very excited about my future, about where I see myself,” Hood said. “I feel this has been my best year. Going forward, what I can accomplish, I always have seen myself playing in the playoffs, playing deep, and winning. I want to be part of that and feel that. But if I stay in Utah, I want to keep performing, keep showing that I can lead on and off the court.”

No matter what happens today, or at the end of the season, I’ll be rooting for Rodney Hood.

According to The Athletic’s Michael Scotto, the Jazz and Nuggets had discussed a potential trade involving Joe Johnson and Wilson Chandler.

By now, the Jazz should have an auto-accept option for any trades involving the Denver Nuggets.

Sports Illustrated has reported that the Jazz are making all players available via trade except Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles, and Rudy Gobert.

The Utah Jazz have made all players aside from Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles available, league sources say, leaving Ricky Rubio and Raul Neto on the block. Rubio still has one year and over $14 million left on his contract, rendering him a much more difficult player to move. Neto’s $1.5 million deal is non-guaranteed after this season, and could easily fit on several team’s cap sheets.

If this report is true, it really leaves the door wide open for potential trades.

Derrick Favors, another hot discussion item among NBA trade talks, continues to be linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers as a top trade target. Sam Amico has reported on Cleveland’s agressive strategy at the deadline, and how they might try to land Derrick Favors.

With the trade deadline now less than 24 hours away, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been extra aggressive in search of a deal.

Among their most-prized targets? Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (still) and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports.

The Cavs are pretty desparate and things could get crazy fast in that front office.

If you are sick of the trade talks, this downbeat item is for you. The Jazz won again last night, this time coming in an tough, hard-fought game in Memphis against the Grizzlies. The Jazz are now on a seven-game winning streak, which is the longest current streak in the NBA, and longest streak for the Jazz in over a year. The Jazz are playing their best basketball of the season at just the right time, and just might be able to sneak into the playoffs if they can keep this up.