SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz yells to his team during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Delta Center on February 26, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The NBA couldn’t mask the fact that the Utah Jazz were utilizing some tanking tactics throughout the 2025-2026 NBA season.
Back in February, the league billed the Jazz $500,000 due to “conduct detrimental to the league.” Since then, the Jazz have been under a microscope as they navigate through March with under 20 wins on record.
For the players who understand they will be in Utah for the long haul, it’s easier to stomach the constant losing, and the idea of doing it strategically, knowing that they’ll be around for the turnaround.
But when it comes to a veteran like Kyle Anderson, it’s not something worth going in-depth about
“I don’t even want to get into it, honestly,” Anderson told reporters on Tuesday.
While Anderson was complimentary of the Jazz’s organization after spending a short time there, he didn’t hold back his feelings on the idea of being on a tanking roster.
Kyle Anderson Discusses His Time With The Utah Jazz
Chicago Bulls
GettyKyle Anderson is back with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“I had a lot of fun in the organization, and everybody in the organization was awesome,” Anderson continued.
“Obviously, you know, playing not-to-win games gets a little tricky and tough. I didn’t enjoy it personally, but, you know, the staff, the players, I love the players. The staff is really cool, and the people in the organization are awesome. Nothing bad to say about that.”
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“Everybody in the organization was awesome obviously playing not to win [a championship] is tricky and tough, I didn’t enjoy it personally, but the staff and the players, I loved the players.”
Kyle Anderson on his time with the Jazz 🗣
(via @adukeMN)
Anderson landed with the Jazz during an offseason trade back in July. Following his 25-game showing with the Miami Heat, the veteran guard was included in a three-team deal. Knowing the state of the Jazz, Anderson likely assumed he could be on the move in the short-term.
Three days before the 2026 NBA trade deadline, Anderson was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He wrapped up his Jazz tenure with 20 games played. In each outing, he came off the bench to average 7.1 points, while shooting 52% from the field.
Anderson landed with the Memphis Grizzlies, who have also been outside of the postseason picture this year. While the Grizzlies weren’t actively tanking for picks, the state of the team made it obvious that Anderson could be on the move for the third time in less than a year.
In four games, Anderson logged three starts with the Grizzlies. He posted averages of 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, while seeing the court for 22.3 minutes per game.
The Grizzlies reached a buyout with Anderson, which resulted in the veteran guard returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Back in a competitive situation, Anderson finally got to make his Timberwolves debut this week. He checked in for 14 minutes off the bench, to score two points and log one rebound in the 117-110 win over the Grizzlies.
Nadine Babu
Welcome back, Kyle Anderson!!!
Wolves fans love them some Slow Mo!!!!
During Anderson’s first round with the Timberwolves, he appeared in 148 games across two seasons. The veteran produced 7.8 points per game, while coming down with 4.3 rebounds, and dishing out 4.5 assists. He shot 48% from the field.
The first stretch of the 2025-2026 season might’ve been difficult for Anderson, who wants to compete at the highest level. Fortunately, he’s back in a situation where he can do that. After Tuesday’s win, the Timberwolves improved to 39-23.