SALT LAKE CITY — Kris Dunn has become one of the Jazz’s best stories over the past season and a half. His story will now continue away from Utah.
On Monday night, Dunn reportedly agreed to a deal with the LA Clippers, according to Bleacher Report and TNT’s Chris Haynes. Yahoo reported that the deal could be finalized via a potential sign-and-trade with the Jazz.
The Dunn deal capped a news-filled, if not as exciting, day for the Jazz. Utah also signed a new player, fired another and had its best player at the center of rumors.
According to ESPN, the Utah Jazz opened the 2024 free agency period by agreeing to terms with center Drew Eubanks on a two-year, $10 million deal. It wasn’t exactly the “big-game hunt” some fans were hoping for, but Eubanks gives the Jazz some depth down low.
Eubanks, who was part of a tampering investigation last season after signing with the Phoenix Suns (the Suns lost a 2024 second-round draft pick because of it), averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 75 games for the Suns in 2023-24.
The 27-year-old center has played six NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Suns.
His career-best stretch came during the 2021-22 season, after the Trail Blazers claimed him off waivers. In 22 games to close out that season, he averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Eubanks is likely to take the place of Omer Yurtseven, the 26-year-old center the Jazz released Monday. Yurtseven played in 48 games, including 12 starts, and was often the go-to center when John Collins or Walker Kessler were unavailable. He was set to make $2.6 million had the Jazz kept him.
As for the rumor mill, reports suggested the Jazz are listening to offers for Lauri Markkanen. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said teams that had passed on Mikal Bridges had zeroed in on Markkanen as a key target, including the Golden State Warriors, who lost Klay Thompson on Monday.
ESPN’s Brian Windhost mentioned that the San Antonio Spurs were also a possible destination for Markkanen if the Jazz decided to trade him. Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer added the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings to the list of potential suitors.
That said, it would take an extreme offer for the Jazz, who have said they want to build a team around Markkanen, to trade the Finnish star. However, it’s clear that teams around the league are testing Utah’s resolve.