Could Jazz Break Up The Band?

Joe Ingles’ season-ending ACL injury might be the tipping point for a Utah Jazz fire sale before next week’s trade deadline.

They topped the West last season but have lost 11 of 13, including five straight. With Ingles on an expiring deal, Donovan Mitchell reportedly wanting out, and their championship window closing fast, it might make sense to shed Ingles’ $13 million contract — and move Mitchell.

Yes, they’re still the 4-seed, but overall, the Jazz are trending downward.

• Utah’s 109.5 defensive rating ranks 15th in the NBA. Last year, it was third (107.5).
• Injuries are piling up: Gobert has missed seven straight games (calf strain) and Mitchell is out indefinitely (concussion).
• Ingles, 34, has been integral in his eight seasons with the Jazz, ranking first in franchise history in 3PM, second in effective FG%, and fifth in assists.

Last offseason, they made Rudy Gobert the highest-paid center in NBA history ($205M) and re-signed Mike Conley for three years, $68 million.

But with their $152.8 million payroll roughly $16 million over the luxury-tax threshold, moving Ingles would give them flexibility to either get below the line or acquire someone to help them win now.

If they stand pat through Feb. 10, they could fall into NBA limbo with a disgruntled superstar. We know how that usually ends…