The Utah Jazz signed forward Darius Bazley on August 3, 2026, completing a professional circle for the player whose draft rights were originally held by the franchise before being traded away years ago. The move, announced via the team's official channels, sees the 26-year-old veteran returning to the organization that selected him in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft.
Bazley joins the Jazz following a career that has seen him compete for several NBA franchises. According to NBA.com, the 6-foot-9, 216-pound forward has logged six years of NBA experience, including seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2019 to 2023, the Phoenix Suns during the 2022-23 season, and the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023-24. During his tenure in Philadelphia, he appeared in 30 games, averaging 3.3 points per game.
Prior to his time in the NBA, Bazley demonstrated his potential in the NBA G League. He appeared in 22 games for the Delaware Blue Coats this season, recording averages of 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.4 steals in 33.7 minutes per game. The Utah Jazz also announced the simultaneous termination of the 10-day contract of guard Taevion Kinsey, who had appeared in 27 games for the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz's G League affiliate, during the 2023-24 season.
The signing marks a return to the team that first drafted him. The Utah Jazz announced via X on June 21, 2019, that they had selected Bazley with the 23rd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, his path to playing for Utah was complicated by a series of trades involving the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to NBA.com, the Thunder acquired the rights to Bazley by trading back in the 2019 NBA Draft, moving from the 21st pick to the 23rd pick and a 2024 second-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies. This transaction was part of a broader series of moves that saw the Grizzlies acquire Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, the draft rights to Bazley, and a future protected first-round pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Mike Conley on July 6, 2019. This trade, which was confirmed by both the Grizzlies and the Jazz, signaled a major shift for both franchises.
Bazley's professional journey has been characterized by a unique approach to development. In 2019, the Oklahoma City Thunder noted that Bazley had taken an unconventional path to the league by eschewing offers from major collegiate programs like Ohio State and Syracuse University to pursue a real-world education. During the fall of 2018, Bazley lived with former NBA star and Memphis assistant coach Mike Miller to work on his game both on and off the floor.
Additionally, Bazley spent three months as an intern with New Balance in Lawrence, Mass., a move intended to provide a glimpse into the professional sports industry. This background contributed to what then-Thunder Summer League Head Coach Dave Bliss described as a level of maturity and seriousness regarding improvement that was rare for a rookie. On his debut for the Thunder at the 2019 Summer League against the Philadelphia 76ers, Bazley recorded three assists and showed significant defensive presence, including a block and a steal.
The 2019 trade that included Bazley's rights was a cornerstone event for the Memphis Grizzlies, as they acquired Mike Conley Jr. from the Utah Jazz. The Jazz announced the acquisition of Conley on July 6, 2019, noting his tremendous impact in Memphis and his reputation as a premier teammate. At the time of the trade, Conley was a 12-year veteran who had just finished a season averaging 21.1 points, 6.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.
As part of that multi-player deal, the Jazz sent Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, and Kyle Korver to Memphis. Allen, a former Duke standout and 2018 All-ACC Third Team selection, had averaged 5.6 points for Utah during his rookie season. Crowder, a veteran forward, had appeared in 107 games for the Jazz over two seasons, while Korver, a 16-year NBA veteran, had averaged 9.1 points during his second stint with the team.
Bazley's statistical profile highlights his evolution as a versatile forward. Career-wide, he has averaged 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 23.4 minutes per game. His most productive offensive season came during the 2020-21 campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he averaged a career-high 13.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 55 starts.
Physically, Bazley has long been noted for his length and athleticism. At the 2019 NBA Draft Combine, he recorded a 37-inch vertical jump, a standing reach of 8-feet, 11-inches, and a wingspan of 7-feet, 9-inches. These physical traits, combined with his playmaking ability as a power forward, were central to the Thunder's evaluation of his potential during his rookie Summer League debut.
As the Utah Jazz prepare for their upcoming season, the addition of Bazley provides depth to the roster. The team has been active in the offseason, recently acquiring future first-round draft picks and draft swaps from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz's recent summer schedule has included various matchups, including a victory against the Chicago Bulls and a loss to the Washington Wizards in July 2026.
