'Today hurts': Joe Ingles' brutal trade leaves NBA fans gutted
NBA fans have been left shocked and dismayed at the news injured Aussie veteran Joe Ingles has been traded by the Utah Jazz.
The 34-year-old Ingles has been a hugely popular player for the Jazz since arriving in 2014 but he suffered a season-ending ACL injury on January 30.
'HE WAS MAD': Shaq lifts the lid on confrontation with Simmons
'DREAM COME TRUE': Lauren Jackson's shock return to basketball at 40
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Ingles has been traded to the Portland Trailblazers as part of a three-team deal on NBA trade deadline day.
The Boomers veteran - who has called Utah home for the best part of a decade - reacted with selfless grace at his devastating departure.
Today hurts… I knew it was a possibility but didn’t want to believe it, we have been lucky to call this place home for 8 years!
I got a lot more to say, but I’m going to have a beer & relax with some good friends..
Go get a win fellas! I’ll always be watching ❤️— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) February 10, 2022
"Today hurts... I knew it was a possibility but didn't want to believe it, we have been lucky to call this place home for 8 years!," wrote Ingles on Twitter
"I got a lot more to say, but I'm going to have a beer & relax with some good friends..
"Go get a win fellas! I'll always be watching," he added, with the Jazz (33-21) preparing to play western conference rivals Golden State (41-13).
Jazz coach Quin Snyder admitted that the Ingles decision was particularly hard for him and the franchise to make, and that the Aussie's legacy in Utah would not be forgotten anytime soon.
“Today is a tough day. I can’t articulate what Joe Ingles meant to this organisation and to me," Snyder said.
Fans were understandably also gutted for the popular Aussie on social media.
Damn. Joe Ingles traded while hurt. That’s brutal.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) February 9, 2022
I am too emotionally attached to Utah Jazz players. I should not feel this sad about Joe Ingles.
— Audra (@AudraSorensen) February 9, 2022
Joe Ingles tore his ACL and was immediately traded by the Jazz.
Ricky Rubio tore his ACL was immediately traded by the Cavs.
It’s a cold world out there.— Guru (@DrGuru_) February 9, 2022
Joe Ingles tore his ACL and the Jazz threw him to the bushes
— Ahmed/I Think She Likes Me (@big_business_) February 9, 2022
Quin Snyder, on Joe Ingles: “Today’s a tough day with Joe. I can’t really articulate how much he’s meant to our organization and to me personally.”
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) February 10, 2022
Joe ingles not on the jazz??? Damn thats gonna take awhile to get used to
— joe kalaj 🇦🇱 (@josephkalaj1) February 9, 2022
Joe ingles is a Class Act will forever be a fan favorite https://t.co/Uoc315zU73
— 🌹Dallas Amiker 🎷🏆🌹 (@DallasAmiker) February 9, 2022
If anyone needs me, I'll be in my closet with a straw and a box of wine thinking about basketball without Joe Ingles on our team.
— M❤MTIFA 💉🇺🇲🌹 (@73MilitaryMama) February 10, 2022
I’m just gonna wear BYU gear to the Jazz game tonight!! Sad that Joe is going to the Blazers. Joe Ingles FOREVER!!
— Leesizzle (@LeeSizzle) February 9, 2022
Quin Snyder on what Joe Ingles has meant to the Jazz organization the last eight years. pic.twitter.com/aes434AIJ6
— Dana Greene (@dana_greene) February 10, 2022
Door open for Joe Ingles return to Utah
The Jazz will receive Blazers guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and San Antonio Spurs forward Juancho Hernangomez in the deal.
Because of his injury, Ingles' value to the Blazers comes from his expiring $US13 million contract.
Since Ingles is a free agent after the season, Wojnarowski reports the Australian could still return to Utah in the offseason.
Ingles himself acknowledged a trade was possible when he met with the media following the injury last week.
"If I'm able to get someone back that would help them make a push for the end of the year, I understand that," said Ingles. "I'm not going to sit here and be sour and upset."
Alexander-Walker was traded for the second time in two days after being dealt by the Pelicans in the deal that will bring C.J. McCollum to New Orleans. The 17th pick in the 2019 draft, Alexander-Walker is averaging 12.8 points per game this season.
The Spurs will receive Tomas Satoransky, along with one of Utah's second-round draft picks; while in addition to Ingles, the Blazers will get forward Elijah Hughes from the Jazz and another of their second-round picks.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.