HoopsHype.com Rumors

Al Jefferson didn’t have big plans for All-Star Weekend. He was going home to southern Mississippi and would see people he wanted to see. Then a tornado struck nearby Hattiesburg. On Saturday, the Jazz center spent his time with people he hadn’t even known. In a video report published online by WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Jefferson could be seen visiting families in areas hit hardest by the tornado, which reportedly destroyed or damaged 800 homes. Jefferson grew up in Prentiss, a small town 55 miles from Hattiesburg, a college city of 50,000 people. While no one was killed by the storm, it gutted sections of Hattiesburg. "It took my breath away," Jefferson told the news station. "I’m still kind of amazed just to see all of the damage that was done." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson 

Phoenix is also among the most active teams in terms of talk. In addition to speaking with the Knicks about a possible Jared Dudley-for-Iman Shumpert trade (that deal is not happening, sources tell me), the Suns have spoken with Utah about Al Jefferson. Those talks haven't gained much traction, though. Clubs calling the Suns have been mostly interested in Dudley, Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris. ESPN.com

Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson 

Ric Bucher: Update on the Utah Jazz trade front: While I noted several days ago that Paul Millsap appeared to be the likelier Jazz big man to be dealt before the February trade deadline, an opposing team executive said there is more league-wide interest in Al Jefferson. It is not a lock that either of them is moved before the trade deadline, but there's also no guarantee that only one of them is moved; the exec said it's very conceivable that both could wind up in a different uniform by next season. Sulia

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

The Suns also have shown interest in a bigger splash for Utah’s Al Jefferson or Gordon Hayward. Dudley could be a part of either of those deals with center Marcin Gortat likely needed to make one work for Jefferson, a 28-year-old power forward who makes $14 million and is averaging 17.4 points and 9.5 rebounds. Hayward, a 22-year-old swingman, is averaging 13.5 points in a reserve role. “We all realize this is a business,” Suns interim head coach Lindsey Hunter said. “I was a player once, and I was traded a couple times. It’s nothing personal. It’s just business, and I think guys understand that now.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Marcin Gortat, Gordon Hayward 

The Suns also have shown interest in a bigger splash for Utah’s Al Jefferson or Gordon Hayward. Dudley could be a part of either of those deals with center Marcin Gortat likely needed to make one work for Jefferson, a 28-year-old power forward who makes $14 million and is averaging 17.4 points and 9.5 rebounds. Hayward, a 22-year-old swingman, is averaging 13.5 points in a reserve role. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward 

Ric Bucher: Latest word on Utah Jazz and who they'll keep vs. deal between Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap: Jefferson is the likeliest to stay right now, according to several opposing team executives. Consensus is the Jazz can't afford to keep both with Gordon Hayward soon to be eligible for an extension and the belief that Hayward is in the team's long-term plans. Sulia

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap 

Al Jefferson and Kings center DeMarcus Cousins have developed something of a rivalry, with the younger Sacramento player experiencing some of his most volatile climaxes against Jefferson and the Jazz. But it’s not the way it looks on the outside, Jefferson said. "He’s never barked at me," Jefferson said, adding, "me and him [are] real good friends." Salt Lake Tribune

Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, DeMarcus Cousins 

Here is the latest they are telling me: The San Antonio Spurs are the front-runners to land Al Jefferson in a trade with the Utah Jazz – and they are frontrunners like Secretariat was in the 1973 Belmont Stakes. Here’s why, followed by a how. “Those teams are practically incestuous, they are on such good terms internally,” one NBA source told me Wednesday. SheridanHoops

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson 

I will say, though, that there's been more chatter recently to back the notion that Jefferson is staying put for the rest of the season. Which is another way of saying that the Jazz, based on the latest forecasts on the personnel grapevine, intend to either trade Millsap or stand pat until the offseason. ESPN.com

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

Jody Genessy: Al Jefferson after Jazz's 125-80 loss to Rockets: "If I was them (fans) I would've booed us too. ... We should've been booing ourselves." Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson 

Jefferson said he wasn’t sure if the nasty inversion has affected his health. For one thing, Big Al said he’s felt fine. Another thing? “I didn’t even know what pollution was until yesterday, so I don’t know to be honest with you,” he said, smiling. “I think I’m good. … I should’ve went to college.” Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson 

Jody Genessy: Jefferson: "I think my name should be in the (All-Star) mix, too." Any All-Stars on Jazz? Al: "I think the whole team should make it, man." Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, All-Star 

Jody Genessy: Al Jefferson's approach to being an All-Star: "If it happens, I'm thankful. If it don't, I'll get some rest. That's the way I look at it." Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, All-Star 

But virtually every GM in the league believes the Jazz are moving one of their two big men -- either Jefferson or Paul Millsap. Because Millsap is a favorite of the team, Jefferson could be the odd man out. ESPN.com

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

When the third quarter ended Saturday, Jazz center Al Jefferson rushed over to Corbin to plead with his coach. He'd just scored 10 points in the period, leading Utah to a four-point lead after previously trailing by 15, and he didn't want to head to the bench to start the fourth. "I told him, 'We've got to win this game. I'm good. I'm good. Let me stay in,'" Jefferson explained. "He agreed with me. Even when he took me out in the middle of the fourth I didn't want to come out, but I knew I needed to." Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson 

“It’s my ninth year in the league man,” Jefferson said to HOOPSWORLD regarding the trade rumors. “It’s just part of the business. My first couple of years in the league I used to be listening to the rumors daily and then I’d hear my name in those types of trade rumors. But this is my ninth year and its part of the business. There are things you’re just going to have to deal with. It’s just like you say they’re rumors, you know, so that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to be true. It’s a part of the game.” HoopsWorld

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson 

While Jefferson’s future in Utah past this season remains up in the air, the veteran makes it clear that playing in Utah and finishing what he’s helped build over the past few seasons is at the top of his future priority list. “The great thing about Utah’s crowd is that they’re not just there to watch basketball, they know basketball,” Jefferson said about his joy playing in Utah. “They’re on you if they know you’re supposed to be doing something that you’re not doing, but they truly support you. It’s a great feeling playing for them. It is good to play in front of people who know the game of basketball, who knows you’re not superman, can do everything or make every shot. Utah fans just want you to play hard and that’s something you can do, something you can control. It’s great playing in front of them.” HoopsWorld

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson 

Utah is another team that everyone expects to be active before the deadline, with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap both headed to unrestricted free agency in July, but getting a read on which one is more likely to be moved remains as tricky as ever with the close-to-the-vest Jazz. Maybe even trickier than normal with a new GM, Dennis Lindsey, in his first season taking on day- to-day control from longtime Jazz exec Kevin O'Connor. ESPN.com

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

In recent days, I've heard Millsap billed as "more of a Jazz guy," given his lower salary range compared to Jefferson's, but this much is clear while you debate that claim: Utah's need for a point guard has only grown thanks to the recent thumb injury sustained by Mo Williams. ESPN.com

Utah Jazz, Trade, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap 

But this is the shadow that will follow Jefferson throughout the remainder of the season, from city to city, as folks wonder if the nimble center has given any thought to a free-agency strategy. "No, actually," he said following Monday’s shootaround. "I haven’t thought about it because that’s something else that I don’t want on my mind right now. It’s all about taking care of this season right here with my teammates." Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson