Utah Jazz Rumors: D'Angelo Russell could join in free agency, Ricky Rubio set for an exit and more

The Utah Jazz entered the 18/19 season with the belief that they could contend with the Western Conference's best teams. The Jazz had stunned the Thunder during the 2018 playoffs, and Donovan Mitchell was expected to build on his impressive rookie season.

However, the Jazz stagnated as their rivals got stronger, and after only managing to finish 5th during the regular season, they were easily eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by James Harden and the Houston Rockets. The current roster still has plenty of promise, although one or two changes are expected, and here are all the Utah rumors you need to know.

#1 D'Angelo Russell could be a prime target

Russell enjoyed an excellent season for the Nets

D'Angelo Russell will become a restricted free agent this summer, and his future with the Nets is far from assured. If the 23-year-old chooses to part with the Nets, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale believes the Jazz are in pole position to secure his signature:

Carving out the cap space necessary to make a run at Russell is neither difficult nor without collateral damage. Waiving Derrick Favors and Raul Neto does the trick—and then some. They could also hope Russell costs noticeably less than the max and elect to waive Korver ($3.4 million partial guarantee) instead of Favors.

If any team can justify footing a puffed-up price tag, it's the Jazz. They're on the fringes of the championship-contender discussion, don't have a single bad contract on the books, and Mitchell's next deal won't take effect until 2021-22. Russell is a high-variance gamble they can afford to make.

During the 18/19 season, Russell averaged 21 points, 7.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, also earning a first All-Star appearance.

#2 Ricky Rubio is likely to leave

Ricky Rubio will become an unrestricted free agent this summer

During the 18/19 season, Ricky Rubio averaged 12.7 points, 6.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the Utah Jazz, although he is set to set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The Jazz attempted to trade the Spaniard ahead of the February trade deadline, and Rubio himself recently told Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune that he could leave:

"I don't have any idea where I'm going to play next year. I'll look for the best situation for me to perform and to be happy"

Rubio earned nearly $15 million last season, and it is doubtful that the Jazz will offer him anywhere near that number. If he does leave, Utah are believed to want to add a young point guard to grow alongside Donovan Mitchell -- which gives further strength to the D'Angelo Russell rumors.

#3 Tobias Harris is a free agent target

Toronto Raptors v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Four

Tobias Harris becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and according to The Athletic, the Jazz have serious interest in adding the former Clippers man:

One player who has interest, according to sources: Tobias Harris. Harris is a 6-foot-9 combination forward who currently plays in Philadelphia. He’s someone who is dynamic on or off the basketball. He can shoot from the perimeter. He can score in a variety of ways. The Sixers hold his Bird Rights and can offer him a full five-year max contract. But, if they don’t, and Harris looks around, the Jazz would have at least a fighting chance, league sources tell The Athletic.

Harris joined the Philadelphia 76ers from the LA Clippers back in February, and the Sixers are thought to be keen to sign him to a long-term deal. During 27 appearances for the team, Harris averaged 18.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.