Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz traded for Portland guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and San Antonio Spurs forward Juancho Hernangomez in a three-team deal, coach Quin Snyder confirmed Wednesday.
The Jazz will send Joe Ingles and Elijah Hughes, and a second-round pick to Portland in the deal. Utah will also trade a second-round pick to San Antonio.
In Alexander-Walker, the Jazz get a young guard that could turn into a long-term piece. Alexander-Walker, who was just traded from New Orleans to Portland, has averaged 12.8 points and 3.3 rebounds this season — but on low percentages. He's shooting just 37.5% from the field and 31% from the 3-point line.
Poor shooting notwithstanding, there's a lot to like about the 23-year-old guard. He's got good size for his position (6-foot-5) and can play some point guard in a pinch. He's a willing on-ball defender that put effort into fighting over screens and has the potential to be something more on that end of the court.
Right now, the idea of what Alexander-Walker could be is better than the actual player he is currently. Can Snyder and his famed developmental staff help him be more efficient and turn him into the two-way guard? Maybe. Will better spacing and more open looks lead to him being a better shooter? Possibly.
The potential of Alexander-Walker is likely what enticed the Jazz to make this specific deal. But can he help immediately? The deal doesn't appear to do a lot to address the Jazz's current defensive issues. Alexander-Walker could become a perimeter stopper, but he isn't there yet — and it would take a major jump for him to be that kind of impact player in the postseason.
That said, his current on-ball defensive effort should earn him a rotation spot, especially with the Jazz needing to replace Ingles' minutes.
"I think his length, his ability to make a shot — there's a skill set there; he has some tools," Snyder said. "If he can come in and have an impact defensively, that's something that we're constantly telling our whole team. And he does have the length, the size to be really committed defender.
"Any time you join a team in the middle of the year, there's a acclimation process. You've got to get comfortable in a lot of ways. Defensively, I'm looking forward to seeing him throw himself into."
Alexander-Walker has one year left on his rookie deal and he'll be eligible for an extension in the fall. If Utah chooses not to extend him, he'll be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2023.
As for Hernangomez, he continues his recent trip around the league. Over the last three seasons, he's played for Denver, Minnesota, Boston, San Antonio and now Utah.
Hernangomez, who was also involved in an earlier trade this season between the Celtics and Spurs, has averaged just 1.1 points per game in the 23 games this season. He has one year left on his deal and is set to earn $7.5 million next season; however, that won't be guaranteed until June 30.
Speaking of money, the Jazz are set to save about $11 million against the luxury tax with the deal.
The trade brings an end — at least for the time being — to Ingles' remarkable eight-year tenure with the Jazz.
Snyder didn't wait to be asked about Ingles. As he took the podium ahead of Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors, he immediately began praising the now-former Jazz man.
"Today is a tough day. I can't really articulate how much he's meant for our organization and to myself personally," Snyder began.
It was a sad day for many in the Jazz organization. Trades often bring a fresh optimism to a team — and this one likely will as well — but before the Jazz were able to get to the new hope, they had to cope with the fact Ingles was no longer on the team. And that was a strange thought.
For eight years, Ingles lightened the mood, trash talked opponents, and hit lots and lots of shots; Ingles leaves Utah as the franchise's all-time leader in 3-point shots.
Ingles was signed off waivers on Oct. 27, 2014, just two days before the season started. His wide variety of skills — ball-handling, elite shooting, passing — quickly earned him the trust of Snyder and his teammates. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game, and 40.8% from 3-point range during his time in Utah.
Snyder credited Ingles for helping define the way the Jazz play — and his impact was felt beyond the court.
"He and Renae in the community; obviously Joe's performance on the court," Snyder said. "Just his presence, the people he touched, the things that he did on the court, and as much as anything the things that he did for the fabric of our organization. Personally, I'll always be grateful to him for all that."
Ingles shot a career-low 34% from the 3-point line as trade speculation fueled around him and his expiring contract. Due to that contract, the trade talks didn't die down even after he tore his ACL last week in a game against Minnesota.
In the aftermath of that injury, he said he understood why the Jazz would want to move his contract. But that doesn't mean he has to move along with it.
Last week, Ingles said he would prefer to do his rehab in Utah, regardless of what happened at the trade deadline. He didn't want to move his family to a new location just to rehab.
And he'd like to stay even after the recovery and rehab is over, stating that re-signing with the Jazz — even if his contract had been moved — was his preferred outcome.
"If you could put a magic mirror up, that would be the ideal situation," Ingles said. "Obviously, I've been very vocal about me not wanting to be anywhere else and playing out my career here. I still think I have a couple more years to give."
