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Raja Bell is a lot of things. What he is not, is dishonest.
"I honestly couldn't tell you what happened." said Bell at locker cleanout day.
The deteriorating relationship between Bell and head coach Tyrone Corbin was kicked into overdrive at the NBA All-Star break as the Jazz started to toy with the idea of beginning their youth movement.
"I told them as matter of fact as I could that if that is what they wanted to do, that I 100% supported that and that it might be a good time for us to part ways and it could be good for everybody." said Bell, "I thought I had basketball left to be played and we could do that (trade) and there would be no hard feelings whatsoever and that I would actually welcome it if they felt like they were ready to go with their youth movement."
Bell's name came up in several trade rumors, but ultimately, no movement was made.
Last March, Bell expressed his frustration with Corbin when C.J. Miles replaced Bell in the starting lineup.
This March, Bell was sent home from a road trip after clashing with Corbin.
Bell was active, healthy and eligible to play against the Spurs in the playoffs, but did not get off the bench.
Bell is under contract for one more year, making roughly $3.5 million, but he doesn't anticipate being in a Jazz uniform.
"That was in doubt for me last summer and I don't think anybody was ready to come to grips with that yet, so we tried to make it work again and it just doesn't seem to be a really good fit," said Bell, "I don't think that I have a future with the team, but it wasn't my call for the playoffs. Do I think I could have helped? I would have loved the opportunity, but it didn't happen."
The Jazz were swept by the Spurs in four games. Bell feels like he could have made a difference in the series.
"I played the Spurs in three playoff series in my career. Big battles, Manu (Ginobili), Tony (Parker), those guys. When you have referees coming up to you, asking you why aren't you playing because you could make a difference. Their team (Spurs) asking you, why aren't you playing? We really were worried if you were in the scouting report and we'd have to... Those things kind of make you wonder, could you have helped?"
Bell knew things were over when Corbin emptied the Jazz bench at the end of game 1 and didn't put Bell on the floor, "I knew when I didn't even touch the court at the end of the game that it was a personal matter. Then it didn't make any... I didn't care anymore."
Bell insists that he hasn't made any demands to be traded or released.
"I haven't asked for anything but I think everybody understands the situation we're in now. When it gets to the point that there's absolutely no communication for months on end, I think we all know it's irreparable."
Bell was asked if he felt like he could still be a contributor in this league?
"That's a silly question." Bell tersely replied.
Bell was asked to elaborate.
"I just answered it."
Bell understands that the Jazz roster is not built for veteran role players.
"I get that there's a fan base, that you owe it to them to play youth and get better. We got some really, really good young kids, I would never take anything away from them. I was really excited to be a part of what happened here in whatever capacity that was and you know it was a fun ride".
When Bell signed with the Jazz he was excited to play for the NBA's longest tenured head coach Jerry Sloan. When Corbin took over for Sloan in the middle of last season, Bell described the change as dramatic as night and day.
"Corbin's a young coach and he's growing and maybe I'm not the easiest to get along with."
