RealGM Basketball Wiretap

16 September 2025

• Lauri Markkanen Could Become NBA's Most Interesting Trade Candidate

  Lauri Markkanen was a constant in trade rumors during the 2024 offseason before signing a five-year, $238 million renegotiate-and-extend contract with the Utah Jazz. After a disappointing 2024-25 season where his PER dropped from 21.2 to 15.6, Markkanen was conspicuously absent from trade rumors. If Markkanen has a bounce back season following his impressive performances in EuroBasket, Zach Lowe contends the Jazz could

  "If that dude rebuilds his trade value, because he's got a big contract over a lot of years, he is the most interesting trade candidate in the NBA," said Lowe on his podcast. "In three, four months, if this continues and if Utah loses as much as I would expect them to lose."

  ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported in March that the Jazz promised Markkanen "a timely turn toward competing" when signing the extension in August 2024. The Jazz have further stripped down their roster this offseason in a competitive Western Conference.

  Markkanen is signed through the 2028-29 season and is 28 years old.

• John Tonje, Jazz Agree To Two-Way Contract

  John Tonje and the Utah Jazz have agreed to a Two-Way contract. Tonje was the 53rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft out of Wisconsin and is represented by Mark Bartelstein.

  Tonje appeared in two Summer League games with the Jazz, averaging 10.0 points and 4.5 reboudns in 22.6 minutes.

  Tonje played in six seasons of collegiate basketball after beginning at Colorado State in 2019-20. In 37 games last season with the Badgers, Tonje averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 31.2 minutes. Tonje shot 38.8 percent on three-pointers on 5.9 attempts per game.

• Oscar Tshiebwe Re-Signs With Jazz On Two-Way Contract

  The Utah Jazz have re-signed center Oscar Tshiebwe to a Two-Way contract following his record-breaking 2024-25 G League season. The 25-year-old Kentucky product led the G League in all rebounding categories with the Salt Lake City Stars.

  Tshiebwe spent last season with Utah on a Two-Way deal, appearing in 14 games with one start for the NBA club.

  Tshiebwe dominated the G League, averaging 19.0 total rebounds, 10.7 defensive rebounds, and 8.3 offensive rebounds per game. He also contributed 17.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 steals across 42 games with Salt Lake City.

  The 6-foot-9, 250-pound center earned All-NBA G League First Team honors in 2025. He set multiple league records, including most 20-20 games in a single season (eight) and most offensive rebounds in one season (305).

  With the Jazz last season, Tshiebwe averaged 7.6 points on 60.0 percent shooting and 8.7 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per contest. He recorded double-doubles in four games and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in eight of his 14 appearances.

  The center enjoyed a distinguished college career at West Virginia and Kentucky from 2019-23. As a junior in 2021-22, he won the Naismith College Player of the Year award and earned Consensus All-America First Team recognition.

  Tshiebwe also received the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, which honors the nation's top center. His combination of college success and professional development makes him a valuable asset for Utah's frontcourt depth.

• Will Hardy Wants Ace Bailey To 'Build A Routine' As a Rookie

  Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy wants to keep things simple for Ace Bailey during his rookie season. Hardy believes that building consistency will help Bailey grow as a player.

  "For Ace, first and foremost, it's going to be about building a routine. The NBA is a lot. The number of appearances is far more than he used to. That's practice, shootaround, games, but it's going to be about sort of him finding his routine, because I think the routine saves you during the season, you don't have to think that much," Hardy said.

  Hardy was encouraged by what he saw from Bailey during his brief Summer League appearances. The 6-foot-7 forward was limited to two Summer League games due to a hip flexor injury.

  "On the court, offensively, it's going to be a little bit of playing without the ball, moving around. I think Ace showed he was really active in summer league. He's a good cutter. He can play in off-ball screens," Hardy said. "And then defensively, while his body is continuing to get stronger, it's going to be about using his length, because I think that is a real strength of his right now. I think that's how he can survive on the defensive end right now."

• Nine Teams Could Have Significant Cap Space During 2026 NBA Offseason

  There are nine teams who project to have significant cap space during the 2026 offseason. Cap space will be more readily available next offseason than it was in 2025 after a 10 percent increase in the cap for this season and a projected seven percent increase for 2026-27, combined with fewer veteran extensions this year.

  The Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.

  There were only three teams with salary cap space in 2025 in the Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets used their cap space to take on Michael Porter Jr. via trade, while the Grizzlies used theirs to sign a renegotiate-and-extend contract with Jaren Jackson Jr. The Bucks unexpectedly created cap space by using the stretch-and-waive on Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner.

  From 2013-14 to 2019-20, the league went through a period with an average of 17 teams per year with cap space. Since then, the average has decreased to 5.1 teams.

  The 2026 free agent class is expected to include Trae Young and LeBron James.

• Jazz Likely To Keep Georges Niang

  The Utah Jazz acquired Georges Niang in a trade with the Boston Celtics last week. Niang's second stint in Utah doesn't appear to be setup to be a short one.

  Niang previously played for the Jazz for four seasons from 2017 through 2021. Since then, he's played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. Niang was acquired by Boston in a salary-clearing move that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks. The Celtics then further shed salary by sending Niang to Utah.

  The Jazz sent two-way player R.J. Luis in the deal. Utah also acquired two future second-round picks for taking on Niang's contract.

  The Jazz have acquired several big men this summer to put around their young team. Utah also traded for Jusuf Nurkic, Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love this offseason. Love and the Jazz have reportedly discussed a buyout that would allow the veteran big man to join a contender for next season.

• Celtics Trade Georges Niang, Two 2nd Rounders To Jazz For RJ Luis Jr.

  The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade Georges Niang and two future second round picks to the Utah Jazz for RJ Luis Jr. The Celtics will lower their tax bill from $73.1 million to $30.4 million with the maneuver as Niang was on an $8.2 million expiring contract.

  The Celtics acquired Niang from the Atlanta Hawks in June as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

  Niang previously played for the Jazz earlier in his career before leaving for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.

• Jazz Waive Jaden Springer

  The Utah Jazz have waived guard Jaden Springer.

  Springer appeared in 17 games (two starts) during the 2024-25 season with Utah, averaging 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 13.2 minutes per game.

• Kyle Filopowski Named Summer League MVP

  Kyle Filopowski has been named MVP of the 2025 Summer League and headlines the All-Summer League First Team. Filipowski averaged 29.3 points, 7.7rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 blocks in 28.6 minutes across three Vegas Summer League games for the Utah Jazz. Filipowski is entering his second season in the NBA after he was the 32nd overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Duke.

  Filipowski joins past winners of the Summer League MVP award such as Cam Whitemore, Keegan Murray, Lonzo Ball, John Wall and Blake Griffin.

  All-Summer League First Team
  • Nique Clifford, Kings
  • Kyle Filipowski, Jazz
  • David Jones-Garcia, Spurs
  • Jordan Miller, Clippers
  • Terrence Shannon Jr., Wolves

  All-Summer League Second Team
  • Ron Holland II, Pistons
  • Isaac Jones, Kings
  • Kon Knueppel, Hornets
  • Ajay Mitchell, Thunder
  • KJ Simpson, Hornets

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