The NBA s top five news in one night: Harden stayed at the Clippers for 81.5 million, and the Jazz s weird deal was questioned!

On June 30, as soon as the NBA free market door opened, the Utah Jazz dropped a shock - they sent Colin Sexton, who was in his play and a precious 2031 second round pick to Charlotte, but they were exchanged for center Nurkic, who was declining in form. As soon as the news came out, the entire basketball circle was in an instant!

When Sexton, 24, averaged 18.4 points per game in Salt Lake City last season, and his three-point shooting percentage soared to a career high of 40.6%, and was playing a quasi-All-star value, the Jazz management made an eye-catching decision: not only to send away the outside sharp knife, but also to pay a future draft pick in exchange for Nurkic, who is about to be 30 years old and averaging only 9.2 points last season.

The cruel reality of data comparison:

- Sexton: 27.9 minutes → 18.4 points + 4.2 assists, the real shooting percentage exceeded 60%

- Nurkic: 18.1 minutes → 9.2 points + 6.5 rebounds, the three-point shooting percentage was bleak 28.3%

What is even more incredible is that the remaining contract value of the two is almost the same (Sexton 18.98 million/Nurkic 19.37 million). The Jazz neither cleared out the salary space nor made a second round pick in vain. This deal instantly became a hotly discussed "unsolved mystery" in the league.

The answer may be hidden in management changes: Just before the deal was concluded, the Jazz had just appointed Austin Angie's son, the team's new president of basketball operations. The first operation of this "second-generation leader" after taking office was so unconventional, which made countless Jazz fans yell on social platforms: "Is Angie a little undercover sent by the Hornets? "

When the Jazz's "Miss Transaction" continues to ferment, other powerful figures in the league are orderly building a battle for dominance:

James Harden decisively jumped out of the 36 million player option and signed a two-year, 81.5 million contract renewal with the Clippers; Julius Randle stayed behind the Timberwolves with a maximum salary of 100 million in three years and 44 million in three years and successfully retained the inside player Portis. Behind these signings is smart value calculations and clear paths to compete for the championship.

The trends of the stars are also undercurrents: Harden and Westbrook's romantic idea of ​​reuniting in Houston is completely shattered - the Rockets renewed their contract and closed the return channel. According to league sources, the Kings are actively contacting Westbrook, and Sacramento may become the new battlefield for "Megatron". This dangerous move by the Jazz management was like a sharp blade that cut through the peaceful offseason. When a scorer like Sexton, who is at its peak, was easily given up, and when the precious second round pick was given away as a bonus, the anger and confusion of the fans were like a volcano erupting.

Is Xiao Anji's debut operation a foreshadowing of careful layout or a fatal mistake in taking office? As players such as Clarkson also entered the trading rumors, the Jazz's reconstruction roadmap became increasingly confusing. On the NBA's giant chessboard full of calculations, the Utahs' strange moves are making the entire league hold their breath and wait for the next killing move.