'We all love each other': Jazz savor potential last game together in win over Thunder

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SALT LAKE CITY — Before Lauri Markkanen closed out the Oklahoma City Thunder with back-to-back haymakers; before Kris Dunn slowed down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with an astounding individual defensive effort; before Keyonte George made two clutch fourth-quarter 3-pointers; and before the Utah Jazz even took the court Tuesday, they met in the tunnel.

It was the last game before Thursday's NBA trade deadline, and the message was simple: If this is the last time this group plays together, let's make it count.

"It's a business and you never know what's going to happen," Markkanen said of that moment. "So just try to go out there and play for each other and have fun, and I think that's what we did."

The Jazz know what's coming — well, more accurately, they know what could be coming. Most players have heard their names in trade discussions.

Jordan Clarkson has been heavily linked to the New York Knicks, Kelly Olynyk has been linked to what seems like half the league, Dunn got some traction with the Milwaukee Bucks, Collin Sexton's name has been thrown around, and Simone Fontecchio has reportedly drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics.

At this point, there's a growing feeling that at least something will happen — no matter how painful that is for the players.

"We all love each other in the locker room," Markkanen said. "We love to hang out off the court, and so it's always a tough time of the year, just like it was last year."

Last season, the Jazz players were gutted after Mike Conley was traded away at the deadline; and there is a sense of dread that something similar may come this week, too.

"I'm a very personal guy, so it's gonna suck losing anybody," Walker Kessler said. "Because we've got a great group of guys. I know it's business, but it's definitely hard to separate the personal because you spend time together. You're on the flights together, you go to dinner together, and you're in the locker room together, so it's tough."

Especially with how much uncertainty there is around the organization.

"Honestly, it's a business; they got a job to do," Olynyk said. "I love Utah, I love the Jazz, the organization has been unbelievable; the city and fans are great. I'd love to be here, but, obviously, it's a business and whatever happens, you've got to make the most of it."

The Jazz have options, no doubt. They're expected to be a seller, but there are moves (Dejounte Murray, as just one example) where the Jazz could choose to spend some of their draft capital. Or the Jazz could simply stand pat and not do anything.

The team has turned the corner and climbed into postseason contention, and with a home-heavy schedule in February, the Jazz can theoretically put some wins on the board. So why not ride it out?

Kessler said it's best not to think that way.

"It's not really a time to put your personal opinion to it," he said, "because at the end of the day, like, I don't know best; I'm not a GM, I can only control what I can control and whoever's on the team play the right way together. I think we are playing the right way right now."

The team especially did Tuesday — maybe for the last time together.