RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 December 2024

• NBA Francises Collectively Worth $138 Billion, Average Of $4.6 Billion

  The Golden State Warriors have become the second most valuable franchise in sports at $9.14 billion, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys at $10.3 billion. The Warriors are joined in the top-3 by the New York Knicks at $8.3 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $8.07 billion.

  Collectively, the NBA's 30 teams are worth $138 billion, including real estate held by owners and team-related businesses, such as WNBA franchises. The average NBA franchise valuation is now $4.6 billion and has a value-to-revenue multiple of 11.9, which is above all other leagues.

  The NBA has a significant drop off from the Lakers at No. 3 as they are worth 42 percent more than the Brooklyn Nets at No. 4 with a valuation of $5.7 billion.

  The 30 NBA teams generated an estimated $11.6 billion last year, or $387 million per club. The concert business has been a major revenue driver for NBA teams who own and control their own arena. The Lakers and Boston Celtics are the only teams in the top-10 who do not control their arena.

  2024 NBA Valuation Rankings
  1. Warriors: $9.14 billion
  2. Knicks: $8.3 billion
  3. Lakers: $8.07 billion
  4. Nets: $5.7 billion
  5. Clippers: $5.66 billion
  6. Celtics: $5.66 billion
  7. Bulls: $5.56 billion
  8. Heat: $5 billion
  9. Rockets: $4.77 billion
  10. Raptors: $4.66 billion
  11. Sixers: $4.57 billion
  12. Mavericks: $4.46 billion
  13. Suns: $4.32 billion
  14. Kings: $4.11 billion
  15. Hawks: $4.07 billion
  16. Nuggets: $4.06 billion
  17. Wizards: $3.98 billion
  18. Cavaliers: $3.95 billion
  19. Bucks: $3.91 billion
  20. Spurs: $3.79 billion
  21. Pacers: $3.74 billion
  22. Jazz: $3.67 billion
  23. Blazers: $3.6 billion
  24. Thunder: $3.55 billion
  25. Magic: $3.46 billion
  26. Pistons: $3.45 billion
  27. Hornets: $3.39 billion
  28. Timberwolves: $3.29 billion
  29. Pelicans: $3.09 billion
  30. Grizzlies: $3.06 billion

• Wizards, Jazz, Nets Considered Clear-Cut Sellers

  The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets have emerged as the primary clear-cut sellers in the NBA ahead of the February trade deadline, sources tell The Stein Line.

  "When you call them, they're willing to make a deal right now," said one rival executive.

  The Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls could join them at some point.

  The Wizards have the NBA's worst record at 3-19 and could consider trading Kyle Kuzma, Jonas Valanciunas and Malcolm Brogdon. The Wizards had a trade of Kuzma lined up at last year's deadline, but he elected to remain with the franchise.

  The Jazz are at 5-18, while the Brooklyn Nets have outperformed expectations at 10-14.

• Jazz Still Have Six Of Seven First Round Picks Remaining From Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert Trades

  When the Utah Jazz traded away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert during the 2022 offseason, they acquired seven first round picks with six of those unprotected. The Jazz, however, have had only one of those picks convert so far when they selected Keyonte George in 2023.

  The Jazz still hold six of those picks with two of them conveying this June for the 2025 NBA draft. The Jazz owe their own first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it is protected 1-10 in 2025 and 1-8 in 2026.

  The obligations from the Cavaliers and Wolves extend to 2029.

  Utah also acquired Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and the draft rights to Walker Kessler as part of the trades.

• Jazz Looking To Trade Veterans Before Deadline

  In the past two seasons, the Utah Jazz have waited until closer to the trade deadline to pivot towards draft position. That pivot each season was aided by trading away veteran players. This season, the Jazz won't need to pivot, but the team is still likely to move some veteran players again.

  Vets that Utah could move include John Collins, Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton. All three players have a second year remaining on their deals beyond this year. But all three are on reasonable contracts for the 2025-26 season.

  The Jazz are prioritizing draft position in a loaded 2025 NBA Draft, one in which Utah should have multiple draft picks. The team is also still looking to build around Lauri Markkanen, who cannot be traded this season due to a six-month restriction that doesn't expire until after the trade deadline has passed.

• Lauri Markkanen Leaves Game With Left Knee Contusion

  Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen left Tuesday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs with a scary looking left knee injury. After banging knees with Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama, Markkanen was down for several minutes before being helped off the floor. The Jazz later announced that their star forward has a left knee contusion.

  Markkanen is averaging 19.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists for Utah this season. He's shooting 47% from the field, including a career-best 42% on three-pointers.

• Jazz Waive Jason Preston

  The Utah Jazz waived Jason Preston on Wednesday, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Preston, who was on a two-way contract, will make way for David Jones.

  Preston appeared in seven games for the Jazz last season.

• David Jones, Jazz Sign Two-Way Contract

  The Utah Jazz have agreed to sign David Jones to a Two-Way contract. Jones was on a Two-Way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers until September and was most recently on the Mexico City Capitanes of the G League.

  In four G League games this season, Jones is averaging 21.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks in 29.0 minutes.

  Jones went undrafted in 2024 out of Memphis.

• Jazz Granted $2.9M Disabled Player Exception For Taylor Hendricks

  The NBA has granted the Utah Jazz a Disabled Player Exception for Taylor Hendricks. The exception is worth $2,924,340, which is half of Hendricks' salary for the 2024-25 season.

  Hendricks was injured in a game on October 28. While trying to stop his momentum, Hendricks slipped and fractured his right fibula and dislocated his ankle. The second-year forward is expected to miss the remainder of the season. The NBA granting the Jazz the DPE means that they believe he's more likely than not to miss the remainder of this season.

  Utah will have until March 10 to sign, trade for or claim off waivers one player whose deal fits inside of the exception amount. The one key difference from a Traded Player Exception is that the player must be on an expiring contract, with no options if traded for or claimed off waivers. If signed, the player can only sign a rest-of-season contract.

• Taylor Hendricks Undergoes Successful Leg, Ankle Surgery

  Taylor Hendricks underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured right fibula and dislocated ankle on Wednesday.

  Hendricks suffered the season-ending injury on October 28.

  Hendricks had started three games for the Jazz this season, averaging 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game.

• Lauri Markkanen Misses Spurs Game With Back Spasms

  Lauri Markkanen sat out the Utah Jazz's 106-88 loss to the San Antonio Spurs due to lower back spasms.

  Markkanen was also limited to 17 minutes on Tuesday night due to the injury.

  Kyle Filipowski, who started in place of Markkanen, finished the game with 12 points and 5 rebounds.