Despite numerous reports and the supposed word of multiple player agents, Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor maintains players were never a part of trade talks with Portland before the Jazz and Trail Blazers agreed to the eventual swap of picks that led to Utah selecting Deron Williams at No. 3.
     
"There was absolutely never players involved in the trade. Not even discussed," O'Connor said. "(Portland's) Ruben Patterson's name, in 20 conversations, was never mentioned ? and it really bothers me, whether it was Kirk Snyder or Gordan Giricek."
     
Jazz shooting guards Snyder and Giricek and power forwards Carlos Boozer and Kris Humphries all were rumored to be involved in potential trade scenarios.
     
"Now I gotta go call their agents ? which I tried to do (Monday)," O'Connor said. "That's one of the things that bugs me. I know these are players ? but they're also people."