The J-Notes

Before the Walker Kessler situation was resolved, the ongoing belief was that he and the Utah Jazz would be at a standoff this offseason. Not only did that not happen, as the Kessler situation was sorted out shockingly quickly for a valued RFA, but everything that many thought would happen between Utah and Kessler is happening right now between Detroit and Jalen Duren. We're coming down the homestretch of the offseason, and the Duren saga remains unresolved with no progress to speak of.

The jury is still out on Cody Williams, but if he pans out, it won't be for the Utah Jazz. When they traded him, many wondered if they pulled the plug too early. Whether he does or doesn't, he'll be remembered for being among the worst lottery picks in Jazz history. In their defense, though, the 2024 NBA Draft doesn't have much to brag about. Look no further than what Atlanta just did. They waived Devin Carter shortly after acquiring him from Sacramento in a salary dump.

The Utah Jazz don't have to worry about Walker Kessler holding out and ultimately accepting his qualifying offer because they agreed to trade him to the Lakers months ago. They got ahead of things, knowing that they were still apart in negotiations with the center, cashing in and getting two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps.

Since entering the NBA in 2003, LeBron James has never been a problem for the Utah Jazz, even though he's spent the last eight years in the Western Conference. Because of that, it's easy for any Jazz fan to have an unbiased opinion on James. As for Jazz alumni, it's a different story. Take Olden Polynice for example.. The Jazz alum, who played two years for the team from 1999 to 2001, had a rather odd take on James during his appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

Can you believe it's been a decade since Kevin Durant joined Golden State? We officially reached NBArmageddon when he joined forces with the winningest regular season team in NBA history, within inches of going back-to-back. Even crazier, the Utah Jazz inadvertently factored into how that situation played out. First off, why bring this up?

The Jalen Duren saga has already made the Utah Jazz look good for how they handled the Walker Kessler situation. Not just because they got the most value possible, but because they didn't let it drag on. That is impressive by itself, but now Duren is positioning himself in a fashion that could make him a Jazzman not too long from now.

Opening Night is roughly five weeks away for the NBA, and yet the Jalen Duren free agency saga continues. Besides making the Utah Jazz look smart for resolving the Walker Kessler situation as quickly as they did, the Duren situation being the only remaining free agency domino is starting to make everyone roll their eyes, including former Jazz icon Deron Williams.

Any fan of the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies who reads this headline would probably scream "ALL RIGHT, WE GET IT!" because despite playing only three games for them, the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade has only continued to receive high marks. Seriously, it's been super hard not to notice how much better the Jazz look for making the deal. And that's not just because of JJJ himself and what he is capable of.

It's been a rough go of it for Walter Clayton Jr. over the past year. From being traded by the Utah Jazz in his rookie year to struggling in his new situation in Memphis to now being a potential waive candidate before Year 2 is supposed to start, he's been through a lot. If the Grizzlies decide to part ways with Clayton, the Jazz would have to jump through some hoops to make a reunion happen.

The Utah Jazz reeled in a big fish with Jaren Jackson Jr. back in February. It's pretty self-explanatory for why the Jazz made this deal when they did, but as more time has gone on, it's become pretty clear why the Memphis Grizzlies liked their offer: the picks they offered them.