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Malik Beasley: I wish I had played better with the Lakers. I was going through a lot of mental sh*t though at that time. Neon: It's like, what is the hardest part mentally while you're in the NBA? Beasley: People don't even think about that. All the outside noise, like your regular life outside of basketball. Like for me, I didn't know where to live. So, I lived in Beverly Hills, but it was like 40 minutes away from the arena and 40 minutes away from the practice facility. So, you had to pick which one either you wanted to live close to the arena or close to the practice facility. You go to Utah, it's everything right in the same gym. So, it was just like, that part and then obviously public issues with my teammates and other stuff like that. Neon: Seriously? Beasley: So that was tough and then my own issues at home with my girl, well, my ex. So it just wasn't the best mental situation.
I’m sticking with Dybantsa here, but sources say that Washington continues due diligence and that the Wizards haven’t made a decision yet. One thing that has been made clear in recent days is that the team is doing a lot of research into Darryn Peterson to understand everything it needs to know about him. However, sources have also said not to read too much into the fact that Peterson is not currently scheduled to go to the Utah Jazz to work out; they don’t think that means the Wizards have made an undisclosed promise to pick Peterson.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the promising big man has dismissed speculations from recent reports, claiming that he wants nothing but to remain in Salt Lake City and continue playing for the Jazz. “I’ve seen what’s being said, and I want it to be clear that I’ve always wanted to be here," Walker Kessler wrote in his caption. "I love this city, these fans, my teammates and coaches. This is real to me, roots don’t grow where you don’t want to be.” Kessler’s IG post, featuring several images of him engaged with his Utah team and community, already drew thousands of reactions.
There are several restricted free agents the Lakers have already done their due diligence on, sources familiar with the team's thinking told ESPN. Two of them, Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, would satisfy Doncic's directive to secure an A-list center. Two others, Peyton Watson of the Denver Nuggets and Tari Eason of the Rockets, are the type of 3-and-D archetypes who any team needs in order to succeed in the modern NBA.
Tim MacMahon: The Jazz are determined to keep Walker Kessler. Now, there is a gulf between the Jazz front office and Walker Kessler's camp in terms of his value. The Jazz have put it off on the table for five years and roughly $140 million. Walker Kessler's representation believes his value is significantly higher than that. There were discussions with the Indiana Pacers before they traded for Zubac about trading for Kessler, giving up two first-round picks and signing him to a deal that would have been north of that. The Jazz have also been very firm: They want a five-year deal, they want a five-year commitment. Kessler is a restricted free agent. The Jazz would have the right to match any offer that he received in restricted free agency, and they're using that leverage. These are tense negotiations.
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1. Washington Wizards. AJ Dybantsa | 6-9 wing | 19 years old | BYU I’m sticking with Dybantsa here, but sources say that Washington continues due diligence and that the Wizards haven’t made a decision yet. One thing that has been made clear in recent days is that the team is doing a lot of research into Darryn Peterson to understand everything it needs to know about him. However, sources have also said not to read too much into the fact that Peterson is not currently scheduled to go to the Utah Jazz to work out; they don’t think that means the Wizards have made an undisclosed promise to pick Peterson.
Regardless, sources indicate that the Jazz are also undecided on what to do at No. 2. Do not expect, however, that connections to Cameron Boozer through his father Carlos (who works in the Jazz front office) or Dybantsa through team owner Ryan Smith at BYU will be the deciding factor here.
NBA on ESPN: "I'm hearing that [LeBron's] likely coming back [to the Lakers]. ... Kevin Love could likely be joining the Lakers too." @MarcJSpears gives some insight on what could be next for LeBron 🏀
Sources also expressed doubt that the Jazz would reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension with guard Keyonte George despite the franchise's optimism that he will play a key role in Utah's future after his breakout third season.
A gulf remains between restricted free agent center Walker Kessler and the Jazz after Utah put an offer worth roughly $140 million over five years on the table, sources told ESPN. It would be the largest contract ever given to a center who had yet to be an All-Star. The Jazz have the right to match any offer sheet that Kessler signs as a restricted free agent.
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Art Cummings: The Utah Jazz are looking at Cam Boozer hard per Tim MacMahon via the Hoop Collective Podcast. He mentioned that Cam Boozer and Jaren Jackson Jr are a potential great complimentary duo in the future. Cam’s elite rebounding helps JJJ and JJJ’s elite rim protection helps Cam.
According to Tim MacMahon on Utah ESPN 700 Radio, Walker Kessler has received an offer from the Utah Jazz for a 5-year, $ 140 M deal, but apparently it wasn’t enough. MacMahon was asked if he thinks that Kessler wants to play in Utah, and he responded: “… for more than 5 years, $140M.” It also sounds like there are some real frustrations with how the Jazz have gone about his contract situation. Apparently, the Jazz feel that they can have any hurt feelings improve over time once the contract is signed.
George is already in line for a major payday in rookie scale contract extension talks this offseason after a breakout third season and sources say that the Jazz prize him as an absolute cornerstone now. Bailey, meanwhile, is situated as a scoring guard in Utah's system for coach Will Hardy, who will of course also trot out a supersized frontcourt starring recent All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.