Utah Jazz players tuning out trade rumors

PHOENIX — The NBA's trade deadline is a day away, and trade rumors are swirling — around the Internet and elsewhere — about multiple Utah Jazz players.

Nevertheless, all 14 Jazz players went through shoot-around this morning in preparation for tonight's road game against the Phoenix Suns (8:30 p.m., ROOT Sports).

"Everybody (is) here," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said at U.S. Airways Center. "We didn't have anybody sitting out saying (to them), 'Don't get hurt.'"

Corbin was traded multiple times during his 16-year NBA career, so he knows all too well how difficult this period can be for players.

"It's a tough time," he acknowledged. "You don't know. You can't control that. You just have to play and as much as you can not wreck your mind thinking about it the whole time."

Four players' names came up in the past day regarding trade scenarios, including starters Raja Bell and Josh Howard along with reserves C.J. Miles and Jamaal Tinsley.

Bell was unavailable for comment, but the other three players said they're tuning out the trade talk as much as they can.

"Play basketball. That's what they ask me to do. That's what I'm going to do," Mile said. "When they tell me to play, I'm going to play. Whenever it is, wherever it is, I'm going to play basketball."

Miles is the longest-tenured Jazz player, but he has been a bit frustrated with inconsistent opportunities. However, Miles, who's been linked with deals to Minnesota and New Jersey in rumors and reports, does understand the difficulty Corbin faces in trying to find time for five wings and he hasn't complained about his situation.

"I'm happy to be here," the 24-year-old swingman said. "I'm happy to get a chance to play. I'm happy to get a chance to help my team win when I can, and that's all I can really worry about."

Howard said he hadn't heard any news about his name coming up in trade rumors, although it didn't shock him.

"I've been a part of this league for nine years. Nothing new. Nothing surprises me," Howard said. "All you can do is be a professional with the team you're with at the time and if it happens, it happens. If it don't, continue to play the way you've been playing."

Tinsley takes a similar approach.

"I still approach it the way I've been approaching it," Tinsley said. "I can't control that anyway. The only thing I can control is being ready when my number being called and do what I do."

Tinsley has had the fewest playing opportunities on this Jazz team, aside from new forward DeMarre Carroll, but he likes where he's at and complimented Devin Harris and Earl Watson for being "two good guys" ahead of him in the playing-time pecking order.

"Everybody want more playing time," Tinsley said. "But I'm in a good situation. I have good teammates, a good coaching staff, a good organization."

The trade deadline is 1 p.m. MT Thursday.

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