RealGM Basketball Wiretap

20 April 2024

• Justin Zanik To Undergo Kidney Transplant

  Justin Zanik will undergo a kidney transplant on April 2nd. Zanik will be in the University of Utah's hospital for several days and then be home for most of April recuperating. Zanik expects to return to normal activities running the front office of the Utah Jazz well ahead of the draft and free agency.

  Zanik has Polycystic Kidney Disease, which has also been diagnosed in all three of his children. All three of his children have advanced forms of PKD that will likely require them to undergo kidney transplants before they turn 30 and perhaps undergo multiple transplants.

  Zanik was diagnosed in October and the husband of his wife's childhood best friend will be his kidney donor.

  "I'm a fixer by nature," Justin said. "My job with the Jazz, my role with my family -- I mean, I was a [player] agent for 15 years. I fixed a lot of s---. I'm the one who's supposed to help. I'm the one who's supposed to take care of everything. I really didn't know how to ask for help, but I had to get over it.

  "I knew I had to get over it."

• Lauri Markkanen Out Two Weeks With Shoulder Injury

  The Utah Jazz announced that forward Lauri Markkanen will miss at least two weeks due to a right shoulder impingement. Markkanen felt discomfort in the shoulder during Wednesday's game.

  Because Markkanen is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks, he's likely out for the remainder of the regular season. Utah has been eliminated from postseason contention, leaving no reason to rush their star player back into action this season.

• Kris Dunn, Jabari Smith Jr Suspended For On-Court Fight

  The NBA has suspended Kris Dunn of the Utah Jazz and Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets. The two players were involved in an on-court altercation in their teams' game on Saturday night.

  Dunn was suspended for two games for initiating the fight and for throwing a punch. He'll miss Utah's games against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

  Smith was suspended one game for fighting with Dunn. He'll miss Houston's games on Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

• Anthony Edwards Dislocates Finger On Dunk, John Collins Suffers Head Contusion

  Anthony Edwards dislocated his finger on a dunk over John Collins, he said in a postgame interview with Bally Sports North.

  The dunk occurred in the third quarter with the Timberwolves trailing by a point.

  Edwards returned to the game to shoot free throws with his fingers taped up.

  Collins suffered a head contusion on the play, according to league sources.

  Collins did not have a concussion.

• Otto Porter Jr. Announces Retirement After Being Waived By Jazz

  The Utah Jazz have waived Otto Porter Jr., who subsequently announced his retirement.

  Porter is not eligible to appear on the playoff roster of any team this season.

  The Jazz acquired Porter from the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline and had been away from the team. Porter won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022 before signing a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Raptors.

  "For the past 11 years, I had the chance to live my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA," said Porter Jr. "That dream was capped by winning an NBA Championship! Unfortunately, my body is not allowing me to play at the level that I expect of myself, and I have therefore decided to retire."

• Darius Bazley, Jazz Agree To Three-Year, Non-Guaranteed Deal

  Darius Bazley has agreed to a three-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Utah Jazz.

  Bazley averaged 21 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists for Delaware in the G League this season.

• Kenneth Lofton Jr., Jazz Agree To Three-Year, Non-Guaranteed Deal

  The Utah Jazz have agreed to sign Kenneth Lofton Jr. to a three-year, non-guaranteed deal.

  Lofton was recently waived by the Philadelphia 76ers.

  Lofton appeared in two games with the Sixers this season.

  Lofton went undrafted in 2022 out of Louisiana Tech.

• Jazz Sign Taevion Kinsey To 10-Day Contract

  The Utah Jazz are signing Taevion Kinsey to a 10-day contract, his agent told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

  Kinsey has averaged 14.8 points in his last 10 games for the Salt Lake City Stars.

• Otto Porter Jr. Remains Away From Jazz Post-Buyout Deadline

  Otto Porter Jr. and the Utah Jazz did not agree to a buyout in by the March 1st deadline that would have allowed him to be playoff eligible with another team.

  Porter remains away from the Jazz as the team evaluates their options. Utah already has an open roster spot. The Jazz acquired Porter as part of the Kelly Olynyk trade with the Toronto Raptors.

  In 15 games with the Toronto Raptors this season, Porter is averaging 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.6 minutes.

  Porter is represented by David Falk.

• Otto Porter Jr. Leaves Jazz To Evaluate Options For Rest Of Season

  The Utah Jazz allowed Otto Porter Jr. to return home and re-evaluate his options for the rest of this season, sources told Tony Jones of The Athletic.

  The 30-year-old is fully healthy and ready to play for a team.

  Porter could accept a buyout from the Jazz. Porter would then have to sign with another team by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs.