Oklahoma City is reportedly using back channels to influence the Utah Jazz’s approach to the remainder of the season, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic on KSL Sports.
Jones said the Thunder are planting stories to push Utah to compete fully, aiming to protect their potential 2026 first-round pick acquired via the Derrick Favors trade.
The Jazz currently hold the eighth-best lottery odds, meaning their pick is projected to remain with them unless they finish outside the top eight.
“If you keep the pick and get really lucky and get Darryn Peterson or AJ Dybantsa, then you have a championship-level core,” Jones explained regarding Utah’s strategy to retain the asset.
Utah has been navigating minutes restrictions for key players, including Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., to manage health while remaining competitive.
The NBA recently fined the Jazz $500,000 for sitting these players late in games, citing conduct detrimental to the league.
Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized that prioritizing draft positioning over winning undermines competition, reinforcing the NBA’s stance against tanking.
Jazz owner Ryan Smith publicly disputed the fine, tweeting, “agree to disagree … Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense …”
Jones highlighted that Utah is largely ignoring external narratives, focusing on keeping their future assets intact and managing the roster for next season.
Key players like Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, Markkanen, and Jackson Jr. form the core of a potential top-four Western Conference team next season, according to Jones.
The Thunder currently hold multiple draft assets, including Utah’s pick if it lands outside the top eight, a top-four protected pick from Philadelphia, and a pick swap with the LA Clippers.
Utah must finish among the six worst records to almost guarantee keeping the 2026 pick, giving them a greater than 96% chance of retaining the asset if they manage the season strategically.
