Utah Jazz: Not Backing Down, and Not Backing Out
For months now, teams across the NBA have been circling the Utah Jazz like vultures, waiting for the moment they decide to hit reset and finally make Lauri Markkanen available. But if you’re banking on Utah folding their hand and going full rebuild, it might be time to reconsider.
According to league insiders, there’s a growing belief that the Jazz aren’t just holding onto Markkanen - they’re actively looking to build around him. That’s a shift in tone from what many expected, especially considering the looming incentive to tank and keep their top-eight protected pick from heading to Oklahoma City.
But here’s the thing: Markkanen isn’t playing like a guy you trade away. He’s averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game and has cemented himself as a legitimate franchise cornerstone. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s doing it with consistency, confidence, and a skill set that’s becoming increasingly rare in the modern game: a 7-footer who can shoot, move, and create mismatches all over the floor.
Sure, there was some ambiguity back in October when executive Austin Ainge didn’t fully shut down the idea of a trade. And yes, the Jazz are still technically in a position where a bottom-out could make sense.
But Markkanen’s contract runs through 2028-29, and that kind of long-term control gives Utah flexibility - and leverage. Right now, all signs point to a team that’s leaning into its core, not tearing it down.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Ajay Mitchell Is More Than a Feel-Good Story
Every season, there’s a player who goes from “nice story” to “serious contributor” - and for the Thunder, that guy is Ajay Mitchell.
Just a year removed from a lengthy layoff due to a toe injury, Mitchell has come back looking like a completely different player. He’s sharper, more poised, and has carved out a real role in OKC’s rotation.
What started as a two-way contract turned into a standard deal in February, and then a multiyear contract this offseason. That’s not just a reward - that’s belief.
And it’s not just the front office that sees it. “He’s just a really good basketball player,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“His feel jumps out. He doesn’t need a play called, doesn’t need structure.
He just plays the right way and wins.”
That last part matters most in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have built a culture around unselfish, high-IQ basketball - and Mitchell fits that mold perfectly.
He’s not flashy, but he’s effective. He doesn’t force the game, he reads it.
And in a system that thrives on movement, spacing, and decision-making, that’s exactly what you want.
The Thunder keep finding guys who fit. Mitchell is just the latest example of that front office’s sharp eye for talent - and a testament to what happens when opportunity meets preparation.
Minnesota Timberwolves: A Fourth-Quarter Shakeup That Worked
Sunday night, the Timberwolves were in a scrap. Down four heading into the fourth quarter against the Spurs, head coach Chris Finch made a bold move - rolling out a five-man unit that hadn’t spent much time together. It wasn’t the obvious play, but it turned out to be the right one.
That group flipped the game on its head. Minnesota outscored San Antonio by 20 in that final stretch, turning a tight contest into a statement win. And it wasn’t just about the X’s and O’s - it was about energy, connection, and trust.
Naz Reid was a sparkplug, dropping eight of his 15 points in the fourth and bringing the kind of intensity that Minnesota’s bench has thrived on all season. After the game, Reid summed it up perfectly: “We’re a hard team to beat when we’re all involved. If we do that consistently, we’re going to be really, really tough.”
It’s that “all-in” mentality that’s starting to define this Wolves team. They’ve got the stars, sure - but it’s the depth and versatility that’s making the difference.
Finch has options, and he’s not afraid to use them. Sunday’s fourth-quarter lineup might not have been the most familiar, but it was the most effective.
And if Minnesota keeps finding ways to win like that - with different combinations, unexpected contributors, and a commitment to team-first basketball - they’re going to be a problem come spring.