NBA Trade Rumors: Utah Jazz not interested in trading Richard Jefferson for Andrew Bynum

Dec 14, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Richard Jefferson (24) drives in front of San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Richard Jefferson (24) drives in front of San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Dec 14, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Richard Jefferson (24) drives in front of San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Richard Jefferson (24) drives in front of San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Earlier on Friday, a report from ESPN’s Marc Stein surfaced that stated the Utah Jazz had entered the race to land Cleveland Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum. Despite it sounding like a decent idea, with Stein even laying out the groundwork for a possible deal, the Jazz apparently have other ideas and have shot down the rumors of a trade.

According to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, the Jazz may want to trade for Bynum but if they do, Richard Jefferson will be nowhere near trade talks.

"One NBA source shot down the latest report circulating on ESPN on Friday night that the Cavs were discussing trading Bynum for Utah’s Richard Jefferson.“Nothing is happening, especially RJ,” the source said."

This seems to kill trade talks between the Jazz and Cavaliers, but it doesn’t really mean that talks are over. Jefferson clearly won’t be a part of a trade that involves only Bynum, but the Jazz could find some other way to land the center if they really want him. The question is do they really want him as the offers haven’t been flying in for Bynum and this latest news even suggests that teams are pulling out of trade talks to land the Cavs center.