Basketball News: In a three-team deal with San Antonio on Wednesday, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired injured veteran forward Joe Ingles from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Juancho Hernangomez.
From the Jazz, who received Alexander-Walker from the Blazers and Hernangomez from the Spurs, the Blazers received Elijah Hughes and a second-round pick. Tomas Satoransky was traded from Portland to San Antonio, which also received a 2027 draught pick from Utah.
As it prepares for a postseason run, Utah Jazz is looking to shore up both its perimeter and inside depth, and Alexander-Walker and Hernangomez might assist on both fronts.
However, in order to get Alexander-Walker, the Jazz had to give up Ingles, a fan favourite and the franchise’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made and attempted. Last week, he was ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL in his left knee, but he informed reporters following the injury that he expected to return next season.
“I have zero doubt I’ll be able to come back better than what I was before,” Ingles said last week. “My game and the way I play, I’m not going to lie, I’ve never relied on athleticism. I’ve been able to be successful by being who I am and the way I play.”
Ingles will be an unrestricted free agency this summer after spending his entire eight-year NBA career with the Jazz. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Ingles would like to return to Utah in the future, but he is keeping an open mind regarding his future plans.
Joe Ingles last week, in anticipation of being traded: "If I’m able to get someone back that would help them make a push for the end of the year, I understand that. I’m not going to sit here and be sour and upset."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 9, 2022
Alexander-Walker was moved to the Blazers on Tuesday, but he did not stay long, as he was traded to Utah the next day. In 2019, the Pelicans selected three first-round draught picks.
In his first three seasons, Alexander-Walker struggled to produce consistently, but he has been prolific in spurts. He’s averaging 12.8 points per game this season, with a season-high of 33 and a career-high of 37 points last season.
Hernangomez is in his sixth NBA season and has only played in five games with the Spurs (1.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), but he has demonstrated his ability to rebound in the past.
Satoransky was traded to Portland on Tuesday, along with Alexander-Walker, in exchange for CJ McCollum. Satoransky, a seasoned guard, is averaging near career lows in most statistics this season (2.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.4 apg).
Injury to All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert derailed the Jazz’s 26-10 start to the season, resulting in a 4-12 record in January. After defeating the Golden State Warriors last night, Utah has won its last four games.
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