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'Today hurts': Joe Ingles' brutal trade leaves NBA fans gutted

Joe Ingles is pictured here during an NBA game for the Utah Jazz.
Joe Ingles' trade from Utah has left NBA fans shattered. Pic: Getty

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.

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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!," 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.

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.

Seen here, Joe Ingles takes a jump shot for Utah in the NBA.
Joe Ingles spent eight largely successful years in Utah before a season-ending ACL injury saw the Jazz trade the Aussie. Pic: Getty

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

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