Game Thread Jan 14, 2026 06:00PM MT: Utah Jazz @ Chicago Bulls

[Handlogten's Heros]

At this point, my biggest concern isn't that the Jazz won't keep their pick. They almost definitely will.

My concern is whether or not the league tries to make an example out of them for how blatant the tanking will become.

Correct... this is why their approach was so weird. Should have been doing the smaller things all year so we didn't have to do the things that will look horrible later. Somehow we've done almost nothing and have the league at full alert.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Correct... this is why their approach was so weird. Should have been doing the smaller things all year so we didn't have to do the things that will look horrible later. Somehow we've done almost nothing and have the league at full alert.

I think the approach has been fine. It's been a weird season with the Jazz winning a handful of games they have business being able to win

 

[Elizah Huge]

Correct... this is why their approach was so weird. Should have been doing the smaller things all year so we didn't have to do the things that will look horrible later. Somehow we've done almost nothing and have the league at full alert.

Why would we get slapped on the hands worse than Washington? They actually have to follow stricter rules since Trae has made an all-star game in the last 3 seasons.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think if a player had an actual serious injury (at least some what serious) in-season it's much harder for the league to play hardball on it.

Also Trae has no **** at being an all-star, so there isn't any incentive for him to play other than proving haters wrong.

 

[Qman]

I think if a player had an actual serious injury (at least some what serious) in-season it's much harder for the league to play hardball on it.

Also Trae has no **** at being an all-star, so there isn't any incentive for him to play other than proving haters wrong.

Is Trae trying to earn an extension?

 

[Elizah Huge]

I think if a player had an actual serious injury (at least some what serious) in-season it's much harder for the league to play hardball on it.

Also Trae has no **** at being an all-star, so there isn't any incentive for him to play other than proving haters wrong.

I think you’re missing the human element of this. He likely wants to play.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Is Trae trying to earn an extension?

I think at this point everyone knows he's opting in. The market spoke when he was worth nothing in a trade.

 

[Elizah Huge]

I think at this point everyone knows he's opting in. The market spoke when he was worth nothing in a trade.

If they don’t extend him what’s his incentive to sit?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Why would we get slapped on the hands worse than Washington? They actually have to follow stricter rules since Trae has made an all-star game in the last 3 seasons.

Trae has a knee injury and quad injury they can say they are managing. He likely plays along. Unless we get an in game injury to Lauri or Key I am not sure we have enough cover.

They also may get some scrutiny... but no one bothered Toronto with Ingram and he could have returned from injury. I think NY should try and put some heat on the Wiz.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

If they don’t extend him what’s his incentive to sit?

He may opt out and extend at a lower number. Trae seemed to indicate he would do whatever the Wiz asked. Trae had the Wiz as the preferred destination. I could see them telling him they will do like a 2-3 year deal around the 40M mark if he opts out or maybe they tack another year on his deal after he has opted in to the 49M next year. I would bet they already have outlines of what it will look like.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Trae has a knee injury and quad injury they can say they are managing. He likely plays along. Unless we get an in game injury to Lauri or Key I am not sure we have enough cover.

They also may get some scrutiny... but no one bothered Toronto with Ingram and he could have returned from injury. I think NY should try and put some heat on the Wiz.

Hoop Collective pod said the league looked into Ingram and his ankle injury was legit.

 

[Elizah Huge]

He may opt out and extend at a lower number. Trae seemed to indicate he would do whatever the Wiz asked. Trae had the Wiz as the preferred destination. I could see them telling him they will do like a 2-3 year deal around the 40M mark if he opts out or maybe they tack another year on his deal after he has opted in to the 49M next year. I would bet they already have outlines of what it will look like.

He doesn’t even need to opt out tho with an extension now the first year could replace his player option year.