The Utah Jazz's season has taken on a new dynamic, thanks to an 11-1 record over the last month.

Off the court, however, general manager Kevin O'Connor's approach to the upcoming Feb. 18 trade deadline remains unchanged.

Asked Friday morning if the Jazz's rise to fourth place in the Western Conference standings has made him more likely or less likely to make a trade in the next 13 days, O'Connor shrugged.

"I'd say neither," he said. "... To say we're just going to stand by and play with this team is not correct. We're going to look and see if there is something we can do to improve, as every other NBA team is doing. But if there's not, then we'll stay where we are."

Translation: O'Connor isn't afraid to pull the trigger on a trade that he thinks will benefit the Jazz, but the team's red-hot streak that started with a 111-93 win at Dallas on Jan. 9 makes standing pat a palatable option.

That's good news for Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko and Ronnie Brewer, who have been Jazz players most prominently mentioned in trade talk but have said throughout the season they prefer to stay in Utah.

"We're rolling, man," Boozer said. "I think everybody knows if they keep us together we can be what we are right now during the postseason, when you want to be hot. We're going to try and keep it going and I'd be surprised if anything happened."

Of course, Boozer created a controversy last summer when he spoke of wanting to be traded to Chicago or Miami.

He has become familiar with being the focus of trade talk and its ramifications. But he tries to ignore it.

"There are always rumors are out there, regarding different players," he said. "But you can't worry about it until something happens. So, you don't worry about it. All you can do is keep doing your job."

During an inconsistent first half of the season, Kirilenko struggled.

Despite a contract that pays him $16.45 million this year and $17.82 million next season, Kirilenko's name surfaced as a player other teams might be willing to acquire.

In recent weeks, Kirilenko has been a catalyst to the Jazz's turnaround.

As a starter in the last 11 games, he averages 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Like Boozer, Kirilenko is hopeful that O'Connor doesn't make a trade.

"Sometimes, even in tough times, you want the team to stay together," Kirilenko said. "We've had this team for a long time and so we want to keep it as much as possible because we know each other and we care about each other and we know what to expect from each one of us."

One thing is certain: Utah is a happier place because the Jazz have moved into fourth place in the West, heading into Saturday night's game against Northwest Division-leading Denver at EnergySolutions Arena.

"Everybody is definitely more relaxed, more happy and more easygoing right now," Kirilenko said. "... It's more relaxed on and off the court because you feel like you are doing the right thing."

Because of the Jazz's logjam of wing players, Brewer's name has been mentioned as a possible trade target of other teams.

Most recently, Memphis inquired about his availability.

"Some of the guys whose names have been in trade rumors, we're not focused on that," Brewer said. "We're trying to move up as high as we possibly can ... because every game you can get is important. The good thing is, we're playing with a lot of confidence right now."

Since the preseason, coach Jerry Sloan has publicly advocated staying the course with a team he believed could challenge for a conference title, if the Jazz played to their potential.

"You can make trades," he said Friday, "but you have to make sure you get something in return, too."

So far, it seems, the Jazz have not gotten any knock-your-socks-off kind of offer that might change Sloan's mind.

"Obviously there are a lot of factors involved but, as far as I know, we're not looking to make trades," he said. "Nothing has been presented to me. Nothing has been discussed. So, we'll just continue to play basketball and see what happens."

luhm@sltrib.com