Insider claims Thunder are ‘planting stories to put pressure on Jazz’
NBA teams know they have one of the deepest drafts coming up, and that has led to a lot of strange things happening to the teams at the bottom of the standings. It is a perfect example Utah Jazzwhich are in the last few games decided to sit Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of games.
The Jazz was recently fined $500,000 for players sitting late in games, which they felt was behavior detrimental to the league. The Jazz then announced that Jackson would miss the remainder of the season as he underwent surgery on his left knee.
Some in the league think the Jazz are being bullied on purpose, and are calling them out for it. One of the rumored teams told stories it’s about jazz Oklahoma City Thunderaccording to The Athletic’s Tony Jones.
“Oklahoma City is going through back channels to put pressure on the Jazz to play a season to get the pick,” Jones told KSL Sports.
The Thunder will get the Jazz’s pick if they fall outside the top 8.
“OKC is going through back channels, planting things, planting stories, to pressure the Jazz into playing the season. The Jazz are going to do everything in their power to keep the pick. Just being here for the last 36 hours, I don’t think they care one bit what people think of them.”
The Jazz have been near the bottom of the standings for the past few years, but have gotten better this season in terms of talent. After acquiring Jackson at the trade deadline, it was obvious they were trying to pivot, but they also knew the logistics of trying to keep their pick.
It’s obvious the Thunder want a pick, so if it’s true they’re planting stories, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
2026-02-13 15:54:00
