Joe Ingles feels like he’s a long way away from his homeland of Australia, which is currently experiencing fires that have burned an area the size of West Virginia since September. It’s estimated that about a billion animals have died, 3,000 homes have been destroyed and the economic cost could be $3.5 billion, according to the New York Times.
So Ingles is doing something to help. He’ll contribute $500 for every made 3-point shot made from the beginning of the season until the All-Star break to “firefighters and supporting organizations,” according to a press release. He’s made 93 threes so far this season, so he’ll be adding to a base of $46,500.
“I’m in a position to be able to do something and do some more on top of what we’ve done with the NBA already,” Ingles said. Ingles, along with eight other Australian NBA players, donated $750,000 to benefit the Red Cross last week.
He also hopes to get Jazz fans involved. He’s asking fans to also donate $1 and up for every 3-pointer, which they can do on the utahjazz.com website.
“I’m hoping that some people with some spare cash that want to throw a couple extra dollars," Ingles said.
The Jazz are also selling a “Support Australia” T-shirt as the team’s Item of the Game for the Jazz’s game vs. Houston on Jan. 27. Proceeds from that will also go to benefit the firefighters.
Luke Walton on Jordan Clarkson
Current Sacramento coach Luke Walton coached Jordan Clarkson during two of his formative years in Los Angeles, so he knows the Jazz’s bench scorer well. Before Saturday’s game, he was asked to give his impressions on the 27-year-old.
“I had a really good time coaching Jordan. [He’s a] great teammate, instant offense,” Walton said. "He’s one of those guys who he always feels hot, but if he sees a couple go through the net, you better adjust your defense to take that away from him because he can get it going really quick.”
Sacramento - Portland trade
According to multiple league reports, the Kings made a trade right before Saturday’s game, sending Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel and Caleb Swanigan to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and two second round picks.
The primary reason for the Trail Blazers to make the deal was to cut $12.5 million in salary, which substantially cuts their salary tax bill. Meanwhile, the Kings gain two second round picks and the respected Bazemore, who they could keep or forward along in the trade market.
The deal meant both Sacramento and Portland were shorthanded for their respective games on Saturday. The Blazers had just eight players available for their game, while the Kings had 11.
