Donovan Clingan has positioned himself to be a top prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite that status, Clingan could slip in the draft, because several teams with top picks already have centers in place.

If Clingan starts to slide, a handful of teams are positioned to try to trade up to select him. The Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz could all move up from their later-lottery picks to get in range to draft Clingan. The floor for the UConn center is considered to be the Portland Trail Blazers, who hold the seventh overall pick.

Clingan measured at 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan and a 9-foot-7 standing reach at the Draft Combine. He's considered an outstanding defender, and he has nice touch on his jumper too. Many scouts envision Clingan eventually becoming an all-around offensive threat, who can also protect the rim, similar to a later-career Brook Lopez.

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen will not compete for Finland this summer. Finland is set to compete in Group B of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Spain. Other teams in the group include the Bahamas and Poland. The winner of Group B will play Spain, Angola or Lebanon for a berth in this summer's Paris Olympics.

Markkanen is still rehabbing from a right shoulder injury suffered during last season. The Jazz star expressed disappointment at missing the Qualifying Tournament.

"Certainly, this is tough," Markkanen said. "Representing Finland and playing for the national team is an honor for me. Along with my teammates, we have been talking all season about how sweet it would be to advance to the Olympic Games."

Finland is set to host 2025 EuroBasket. Markkanen made it clear he's ready for that competition by saying, "Those dates are marked on my calendar."

Last offseason, Kristaps Porzingis was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Boston Celtics where he picked up his $36 million player option and then signed a two-year, $60 million extension.

If Porzingis would have become a free agent, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports that he was positioned to receive a richer contract from the Utah Jazz.

Porzingis would have joined a versatile frontcourt partner in Lauri Markkanen.

Porzingis instead joined the Celtics and is in The Finals where he is a floor spacer and post option while also protecting the rim on the other end of the floor.

The Utah Jazz are expected to explore trading their first-round picks this upcoming draft, including the No. 10 pick.

The Jazz also have the No. 29 and 32 pick in the draft.

Jazz owner Ryan Smith is looking to add more star power to the roster.

The team is also interested in working out Bronny James.

The Utah Jazz have expressed interest in working out Bronny James, sources told Krysten Peek of Yahoo! Sports.

The team could be interested in selecting James with the 32nd pick in the upcoming draft.

James said earlier in the week that his focus was getting to the league instead of playing with LeBron James. 

The NBA held its 2024 draft lottery in Chicago on Sunday with the Atlanta Hawks winning the top overall pick. The Hawks entered the lottery with just a three percent chance of securing the top pick.

The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to hire Lamar Skeeter as the lead assistant coach under Charles Lee.

Skeeter spent the past decade with the Utah Jazz under Quin Snyder and Will Hardy.

Justin Zanik will undergo a kidney transplant on April 2nd. Zanik will be in the University of Utah's hospital for several days and then be home for most of April recuperating. Zanik expects to return to normal activities running the front office of the Utah Jazz well ahead of the draft and free agency.

Zanik has Polycystic Kidney Disease, which has also been diagnosed in all three of his children. All three of his children have advanced forms of PKD that will likely require them to undergo kidney transplants before they turn 30 and perhaps undergo multiple transplants. 

Zanik was diagnosed in October and the husband of his wife's childhood best friend will be his kidney donor.

"I'm a fixer by nature," Justin said. "My job with the Jazz, my role with my family -- I mean, I was a [player] agent for 15 years. I fixed a lot of s---. I'm the one who's supposed to help. I'm the one who's supposed to take care of everything. I really didn't know how to ask for help, but I had to get over it.

"I knew I had to get over it."

The Utah Jazz announced that forward Lauri Markkanen will miss at least two weeks due to a right shoulder impingement. Markkanen felt discomfort in the shoulder during Wednesday's game.

Because Markkanen is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks, he's likely out for the remainder of the regular season. Utah has been eliminated from postseason contention, leaving no reason to rush their star player back into action this season.

The NBA has suspended Kris Dunn of the Utah Jazz and Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets. The two players were involved in an on-court altercation in their teams' game on Saturday night.

Dunn was suspended for two games for initiating the fight and for throwing a punch. He'll miss Utah's games against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Smith was suspended one game for fighting with Dunn. He'll miss Houston's games on Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers.