News - Five-Time NBA All-Star Could Soon Part Ways With Jazz

After finishing last year with the NBA's worst record at 17-65, the Utah Jazz appear ready to sell well before the rumor mill starts churning in-season for the trade deadline. Earlier this week, reports indicated that the Jazz are open to trading Lauri Markkanen. More News: NBA Team ‘Very Open’ to Trading All-Star Player This Season Jake Fischer of The Stein Line wrote on Friday that it was “stressed” to him by sources that Utah doesn’t want to trade Markkanen, as the 28-year-old is in the prime of his career. However, the Jazz have a veteran on the roster who could draw interest before the regular season. HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 02: Head coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz looks on prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 02, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) More News: Lakers’ LeBron James on Luka Doncic’s Weight Before NBA Season Rival NBA teams think Utah’s front office is playing Kevin Love more during the preseason to “showcase” the five-time NBA All-Star. “If there is any trade situation to monitor at present in Utah, it’s the future of veteran forward Kevin Love,” Fischer wrote. “The Jazz allotted a healthy 20 minutes of playing time to the 37-year-old in Wednesday’s exhibition loss to Houston. “As with the Knicks starting Pacome Dadiet in their first exhibition game of the new season in Abu Dhabi, Love’s playing time led several rival teams to wonder if the Jazz were already showcasing him for potential suitors before the regular season even starts.” Love, 37, averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and one assist per game for the Miami Heat last season. The Heat sent Love to Utah in a three-team trade on July 7. The six-foot-eight, 251-pound center was the No. 5 pick in the 2008 draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Love was the NBA rebounding leader in 2011 and made the All-NBA Second Team in 2012 and 2014. Love won an NBA championship with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, which is something to keep in mind as the Los Angeles Lakers could be in the market for a big man after trading away Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks last year. For more on the Jazz and the NBA, head to Newsweek Sports.