Sarah Todd

Utah Jazz Beat Reporter @Deseret. Host of @UnsalvageabIe. 2022 & 2024 Utah Sportswriter of the Year. Previously 76ers and Warriors.

[Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer]

As I currently understand it, if the Jazz's 2027 first-rounder that's owed to Memphis, and can't be top-five next year, were to land at No. 5, it would be slated at No. 6. But, there's also the possibility that the league would just discard that outcome and draw again for No. 5.

[Deseret News @Deseret]

@NBASarah https://t.co/Q1c3HH87Oy

[Deseret News @Deseret]

The former Kansas Jayhawks star offered an explanation for his cramping issues, but it still leaves room for questions and clarification, even from doctors. | By @NBASarah

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

The curious case of Darryn Peterson
Story by @NBASarah
https://t.co/TduuHxkgoW

[Ryan McDonald @ryanwmcdonald]

Really, really excellent reporting from @NBASarah talking with doctors about the Darryn Peterson situation

[Ben Criddle @CriddleBenjamin]

Utah Jazz beat writer Sarah Todd joined @espnthefan to break down the idea of drafting the "hometown hero":

Q: Since I moved to Utah in 2005, I haven’t seen a player really want to sign a long-term max contract and stay in Utah. Deron Williams, Gordon Hayward, Donovan Mitchell — you go down the list.

So I do think there’s urgency to find someone who actually wants to be here long-term. We know AJ likes Utah.

What’s your reaction to that idea?

Sarah Todd: I think what I’d say is that it hasn’t been “not wanting to be in Utah” that made people leave. It’s been not wanting to lose.

Donovan Mitchell did sign a max deal. Rudy Gobert signed a max deal. Those were huge deals for the Jazz, and then the team traded them after things fell apart.

If the Jazz beat the Clippers and go to the Western Conference Finals, if Quin Snyder wants to stay longer, if the Jazz don’t feel like everything is collapsing, I think we’re talking about a completely different scenario.

Q: But did Donovan really want to stay? It always felt like he wanted out.

Sarah Todd: I think he wanted out because nothing felt good anymore.

Winning cures everything. If the Jazz had been progressing, if they’d gotten past the second round, I don’t think they’re trading multiple All-Stars.

But over years, the chips started falling away. It wasn’t just Donovan. It was everything.

And you can look around the league — this happens everywhere. Guys sign max deals, but if there’s no winning, situations change.

Look at Giannis in Milwaukee right now. He wanted to stay there forever. But even then, if there’s no winning, things can change.

These guys want to go where winning is possible.

That brings it back to what I was saying about mediocrity. That’s what teams should really fear.

Because even if you get AJ Dybantsa and he signs an extension, five years from now, if the Jazz aren’t winning, he’s going to want out just like everyone else.

Q: Maybe if he goes to Washington, the Jazz can get him on the back end.

Sarah Todd: Honestly, if there are teams in the NBA I trust to screw things up, it’s probably the Wizards and the Kings.

Full interview: https://t.co/EZ75Y3zvXr

📸: @BYUMBB @BYUphoto

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

The Jazz are unlikely to trade up for the No. 1 pick — and they shouldn’t
Story by @NBASarah
https://t.co/MdicdJhFkZ

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

AJ Dybantsa believes he is No. 1, and that belief sets him apart

Story by @NBASarah
https://t.co/vZ7C7pOrjm

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

Darryn Peterson wants NBA teams to see the real him

Story by @NBASarah
https://t.co/Y2gt3130gT

[Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress]

Arkansas' Darius Acuff measured 6'2 barefoot and 186 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine, with a 6'7 wingspan and 8'2.5 standing reach.

In line with past measurements. Not the biggest or longest guard around, but certainly not any kind of deal-breaker.

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

Austin Ainge was good luck for the Utah Jazz in the lottery drawing room
Story by @NBASarah
https://t.co/fOVfdiM7Q3

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

The Utah Jazz moved up in the NBA draft lottery. Here’s where they’ll be picking

Story by @NBASarah
https://t.co/sziPETEs8w

[NBA Communications @NBAPR]

Below is the list of team representatives who will be in the lottery drawing room ⬇️

[NBA Communications @NBAPR]

16 media members will be present in the lottery room during the drawings.

[Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress]

Sources: G League Combine invite list (44 players, alphabetical, subject to change):

Michael Ajayi — Butler
Alijah Arenas — USC
Donovan Atwell — Texas Tech
Nate Bittle — Oregon
Elliot Cadeau — Michigan
Rafael Castro — George Washington
Zach Cleveland — Liberty
Jacob Cofie — USC
M.J. Collins Jr. — Utah State
Quadir Copeland — NC State
Melvin Council Jr. — Kansas
Tucker DeVries — Indiana
Tre Donaldson — Miami (FL)
Reynan dos Santos — Mexico City (G League)
Malique Ewin — Arkansas
Jamal Fuller — Long Island
Isiah Harwell — Houston
Jaden Henley — Grand Canyon
Bryce Hopkins — St. John's
Graham Ike — Gonzaga
Kasen Jennings — Appalachian State
Trey Kaufman-Renn — Purdue
Keba Keita — BYU
Kobe Knox — South Carolina
Xaivian Lee — Florida
Malique Lewis — SE Melbourne (Australia)
Tamin Lipsey — Iowa State
Fletcher Loyer — Purdue
Aidan Mahaney — Santa Barbara
Robert McCray V — Florida State
Boopie Miller — SMU
Mark Mitchell Jr. — Missouri
Paulius Murauskas — Saint Mary's
Jaron Pierre Jr. — SMU
Kowacie Reeves Jr. — Georgia Tech
Jaylin Sellers — Providence
Markhi Strickland — North Dakota State
Aiden Tobiason — Temple
Seth Trimble — North Carolina
Cade Tyson — Minnesota
Ernest Udeh Jr. — Miami (FL)
Lamar Wilkerson — Indiana
Darrion Williams — NC State
Noam Yaacov — Oostende (Belgium)

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

NBA’s new proposed lottery system actually makes things worse and doesn’t fix tanking

Story by @NBASarah

https://t.co/qjwT8dw85q

[Sarah Todd @NBASarah]

@andyblarsen That’s the point

[Sarah Todd @NBASarah]

I don't care that it's Ishbia, don't even care that this is about Booker. NBA owners and execs who understand the value and time equity of local and beat reporters is important to me. They would all do well to pay attention to that piece of this.

[Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto]

Suns owner Mat Ishbia: “I’ll ride into a fire with Devin Booker, and I’ll do it proudly… Devin Booker is not getting traded. Devin Booker is our franchise player. We’re going to win a championship here with Devin Booker. I’m excited to do it and be next to him when we do that.”

[Deseret News Sports @DeseretSports]

The Utah Jazz’s defense has to be addressed for the 2026-27 season
Story by @NBASarah
https://t.co/YqsYOhJADo

[Sarah Todd @NBASarah]

Shoutout to @kevinlove, whose outlet pass highlight videos got a shout out on John Oliver last night. Excellent.