Jazz Shopping Beasley, Vanderbilt; Exploratory Talks With Knicks Underway: Report

Malik Beasley may find himself playing for a new team by the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 9.
Abbie Parr/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

The Utah Jazz are reportedly shopping Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt before the NBA trade deadline
Obi Toppin is seen as a good acquisition from the Knicks if they seal a deal with the Jazz
Josh Hart is reportedly being eyed by the Cavaliers to beef up roster talent to back Donovan Mitchell

The NBA trade deadline is days away, and there are several names tossed in the rumor mill as possibly being on the move.

Two teams that may pull the NBA trade trigger are the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The NBA writer and podcast host reported that the Knicks have held exploratory talks to acquire Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz. The potential deal would see the Knicks sending Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier and draft capital to Utah, according to Scotto. International Business Times could not independently verify this information.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports also reported, citing unnamed sources, that Utah has discussed various deals that would send Beasley and Vanderbilt to teams, including New York.

From that list of players, Fournier stands out. The fact that he carries an $18.9 million guaranteed salary for the 2023-24 NBA season categorically makes him a negative asset.

Hence, it may not be surprising if Utah ends up asking for another first-round pick even if Beasley is seen as the salary-matching pawn in a potential exchange.

However, the fact that Toppin is part of the trade could make up for that. The eighth overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft is a promising cager and may potentially blossom as a member of the Utah Jazz.

As for Vanderbilt, the 23-year-old forward has garnered interest from several teams. Aside from Utah, the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers were also linked to the 6-foot-8 forward.

Aside from these players, another name that has popped up is that of Josh Hart of the Trail Blazers.

The 27-year-old cager has drawn interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA insider Marc Stein reported, citing unnamed sources.

The reported interest is believed to be because the Cavs are looking to add more talent to back up Donovan Mitchell. From their roster, the small forward spot could use an upgrade for Cleveland to get more scoring threats.

Aside from Hart, other players who have been linked to the Cavs include Beasley, Cam Reddish and Tim Hardaway Jr.

In the last NBA trade deadline, Hart was traded to Portland Trail Blazers by the New Orleans Pelicans alongside Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomáš Satoranský, Didi Louzada, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, the better of New Orleans’ and Portland’s 2026 second-round draft picks and New Orleans’ 2027 second-round draft pick in exchange for CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell, NBA.com reported.

The 6-foot-5 cager has played in 49 games this season for the Trail Blazers, averaging 9.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and four assists in 33.6 minutes of action.