Rumor has it that Utah Jazz will be getting Washington Wizards' Garrett Temple as a move to replace injured Dante Exum in the courts.
According to Bleacher Report, with 20-year-old Exum out of the picture for having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament this week, the Utah Jazz are in a world of trouble. Jazz now features the team-up of Trey Burke, Raul Neto and Bryce Cotton.
According to Jody Denessy of Deseret News, the Jazz is interested in pursuing a trade for Wizards guard Garrett Temple.
I'm told the Jazz are interested in pursuing veteran guard Garrett Temple from the Washington Wizards to shore up their point guard platoon.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) August 6, 2015
In a tweet, Jazz coach, Quin Snyder, a proponent of the 6-foot-6 Temple, believes Temple would give the team a big defensive bonus while Exum is healing.
The 6-foot-6 Garrett Temple is a big, defensive-minded point guard the Jazz believe could help make up for the loss of Dante Exum's size.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) August 6, 2015
Jazz general manager, Dennis Lindsey, refuted the notion that the Jazz are discussing potential temporary replacements for Exum, as he believes that would be insensitive to Exum and his parents.
"There is a bunch of speculation out there right now," Lindsey said during an interview with 1280 The Zone on Thursday, reports Deseret News.
"Quin and my mindset are exactly the same at this particular time. We're concerned about Dante Exum and the long-term care. We've had no conversations whatsoever about anyone else outside the Utah Jazz," he adds.
Snyder has established a good relationship with Temple, dating back to their time at San Antonio in the 2010-11 season, tweets Genessy.
29-year-old Temple is undrafted out of LSU, but has had many stints including those with the Rockets, Kings, Spurs, Bucks, Bobcats and Wizards, along with gigs in the D-League and Europe.
Currently, Burke will likely be taking over the starting point guard role for the Jazz.
NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk says that the Wizards are actually willing to trade Temple. They add that the trade "would make sense for both sides."
Being the third point guard behind John Wall and Ramon Session, Temple remains a luxury in the Wizards. The Jazz, on the other hand, will see him as a necessity with the loss of Exum - thus making the trade a sensible thing for both teams to do.
Deseret news adds Temple will have a minimum contract of $1.1 million this season after opting in with the Wizards this offseason.
J.Michael of the CSN Washington tweets a few days ago, saying, "I just talked to Temple. Hasnt heard anything yet but admits "good relationship" w/Snyder from DLeague."
I just talked to Temple. Hasnt heard anything yet but admits "good relationship" w/Snyder from DLeague https://t.co/6kmGioJh2u
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) August 6, 2015
NBA fans will just have to stay tuned-in for what will happen next.
