The Boston Celtics are reportedly looking to upgrade their depth before the NBA trade deadline on February 8. That has Boston looking at a familiar face as a potential frontcourt reinforcement.

The Celtics are interested in trading for Kelly Olynyk of the Utah Jazz. Olynyk spent the four seasons of his career in Boston.

This season, in mostly a reserve role, the 6-foot-11 forward/center has played well for the Jazz. Olynyk is averaging 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. In addition, Olynyk is shooting 55% from the field, including 42% from behind the arc.

One potential stumbling block to a trade is Olynyk's $12.2 million salary. It would be difficult for the Celtics to match that salary in a trade without trading a current rotation player. Boston's other option would be to combine the salaries of several players on minimum contracts.

Jordan Clarkson is drawing the attention of contending teams, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.

"There are contending teams out there [who] are calling in, looking to see how they can get Jordan Clarkson. 

"Nothing serious as of right now, but there are contending teams out there who are interested in acquiring," said Haynes. 

Haynes confirmed that the Jazz were open to trading Clarkson for the right deal. Haynes also added that Clarkson "loves" Utah and is not necessarily looking to be moved.

The Jazz are reportedly willing to part ways with John Collins, Collin Sexton, and Kelly Olynyk, in addition to Clarkson. 

Lauri Markkanen has emerged as a possible trade candidate, but he talked with Sam Amick of The Athletic about how a conversation about his future with the Utah Jazz has yet to occur and that he'd also like to remain with the franchise.

"No, I haven’t talked to anyone. Obviously, you see the stuff online or whatever," said Markkanen.

Markkanen is taking the trade interest as a compliment of his game.

"Yeah. And I’ve been traded, I guess, technically three times with draft night included," said Markkanen. "Sometimes I knew about it. Sometimes I didn’t. So I kind of learned the business side of basketball. I’ve kind of learned to just go day by day and really put the work in and try to play to the best of my abilities and whatever happens happens, really. Like I said, I love being in Utah and it’s a compliment of what you’ve done in the past (that teams have interest). We’ll see. But yeah, I just want to emphasize that I really believe in what we’re building here with the Jazz. Go day by day. Do your best. That’s all you can do."

The Jazz traded for Markkanen as part of the Donovan Mitchell deal and he immediately liked living in the area.

"Oh, yeah. Love it. So we’d like to be there. We like the environment. It’s a pretty comfortable place to be."

The Utah Jazz reportedly no longer consider Lauri Markkanen untouchable in a potential trade, but they would maintain a high price.

The Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder are considered to be the three teams who most highly value Markkanen, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

“Do I expect Utah to trade Lauri? No,” another general manager told Yahoo Sports. “But they are saying they’re willing to listen. They are willing to listen to calls on everyone, but it’s a matter of meeting their price like Minnesota did for Rudy [Gobert].”

Markkanen will be eligible to negotiate and extend his current contract before its final season begins in 2024-25. Given Utah's struggles this season and there probable timeline of contention, trading Markkanen at the age of 26 may make more long-term sense for the franchise. 

The Thunder own more draft capital than any other team while also possessing the expiring contract of Davis Bertans at $17 million.

Lauri Markkanen emerged as an All-Star player with the Utah Jazz. In spite of that, or maybe because of it, other teams plan to test Utah's willingness to part with Markkanen via trade.

There currently isn't any sense that the Jazz might part with the versatile 7-footer. However, at least a couple of teams are planning to make a run at Markkanen. Conversations could start as soon as next week's G League Showcase.

Markkanen's contract is for $17.3 million this season. Next season, Markkanen's deal is for $18 million, but is only guaranteed for $6 million. Presumably, any team that acquires Markkanen would eventually like to discuss extending the Finnish star.

Rival executives believe that the Utah Jazz are willing to trade Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and Kelly Olynyk, according to Marc Stein of Substack.

Clarkson signed a two-year, $28.4 million extension last summer and cannot be traded until after January 7.

The 24-year-old Sexton has been the frequent target of trade rumors.

Executives believe that Olynyk is the most likely to be moved out of the three. Olynyk will be a free agent this summer.

The Jazz also reportedly looking to move on from John Collins.

The Utah Jazz are open to trading John Collins, sources told Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune.

"The 26-year-old has the lowest on-court/off-court splits of any rotation player on the team, and the team has been frustrated with his slow uptake on learning the Jazz's system on both ends of the floor," according to Larsen.

Collins missed his third straight game due to a non-COVID illness. 

Collins is averaging 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season.

Jordan Clarkson will miss at least two weeks after being diagnosed with a right bicep femoris strain.

Clarkson initially suffered a right thigh contusion on November 27 against the Pelicans, then experienced further discomfort in his right hamstring on Monday.

Clarkson underwent an MRI to reveal the strain. 

The guard will be re-evaluated in two weeks.