Tyrone Corbin not showcasing Utah Jazz players before trade deadline

If Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin has been showcasing players prior to Thursday's NBA trade deadline, he's done so by accident.

Asked before the Jazz-Suns game Wednesday night if he has been handing out minutes to help facilitate a trade, Corbin shook his head.

"I play guys for us to win," he said. "That's what I've been doing all year and what I'll continue to do. I play guys who match up and give us the best chance. I go with them."

C.J. Miles has been one Jazz player linked to a handful of possible trades.

Last week against Cleveland and Charlotte, he played a total of 16 minutes. In Utah's next three games, Miles averaged 22 minutes.

"We've got to play to win games and develop guys," Corbin insisted. "That's what we'll keep doing."

Meanwhile, Miles is aware his name has been connected to possible trades, but he's not overly concerned.

"All I can control is what I do on the basketball floor — play hard," he said. "Like I've said all year, my job is to play basketball, whenever and wherever it is. And that's what I'm going to do."

Jefferson to miss two games

Al Jefferson, whose grandmother died last week, will miss back-to-back weekend games against Golden State and the L.A. Lakers to be with his family.

Jefferson plans to leave after Thursday night's game against Minnesota. He will return Monday.

Jefferson missed three of the Jazz's first 42 games: a 102-99 win over Philadelphia, a 111-106 double-overtime loss to Toronto and a 93-89 victory over Portland.

Playing without Jefferson will be "a big-time change for us," Corbin said. "He's the guy we go to on offense. We look for him to score. But we've missed him before this season and guys have stepped up. We expect that to continue."

He knows the drill

Corbin was traded eight times during his 16-year NBA career, so he knows what his players are feeling as this year's deadline approaches.

"It's a tough thing; I've been through it," Corbin said. "You can't control it. You just have to play and, as much as you can, not let thinking about it wreck your mind."

Corbin was included in two trades that involved Utah.

In 1991, the Jazz acquired him from Minnesota for Thurl Bailey and a second-round draft pick. In 1994, the Jazz sent Corbin and a second-round pick to Atlanta for Adam Keefe.

luhm@sltrib.com —

Timberwolves at Jazz

P At EnergySolutions Arena

Tipoff • Thursday, 7 p.m.

Records • Jazz 20-22, Timberwolves 22-21

TV • Root Sports

Radio • 1320 AM, 98.7 FM

Last meeting • Timberwolves, 101-99 (Feb. 22)

Season series • Tied, 1-1

About the Jazz • They are 15-6 at home, where they have won three straight (Detroit, Miami, Houston). … They are 4-9 on the second night of back-to-back games. … Against Minnesota, F Paul Millsap averages 26 points and nine rebounds this season.

About the Timberwolves • They are 1-1 since losing PG Ricky Rubio for the season because of a knee injury. … They are 2-9 in their last 11 games in Utah. … F Kevin Love ranks fourth in the league in scoring (25.7) and second in rebounding (13.6).