7 Players Jazz Could Trade Based on the Urgency Factor

The Utah Jazz are expected to make some moves ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

Author:
Alex White
Publish date:
Dec 31, 2023 1:47 PM EST

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Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are migrating toward the middle of the lottery standings just as they did a season ago. Winners of six out of their past nine games, the Jazz still sit two games up on the Memphis Grizzlies, though the return of Ja Morant could change that, and right in the Toronto Raptors/Atlanta Hawks/Chicago Bulls territory of the standings.

Unfortunately, the Jazz are still a full three games out of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, and with rookie Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh waiting in the wings, it makes sense for the team to put some of its veteran pieces on the trading block.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik are working on developing a title contender in Salt Lake City. They know they’re in this for the long haul, so if there’s a deal for anyone they think sets them up for that goal better, they’ll do it.

With factors such as contract situations, how players fit with other core pieces, and the Jazz possibly opening up more minutes for their young players, let’s go through some of the most likely trade pieces that Utah has and rank them by how urgently the team should try to move them.

The Jazz youngsters and the end of the benchers aren’t going to be included in this activity. George and Hendricks aren’t getting traded unless something extremely unpredictable happens — those guys are an integral part of the future.

Similarly, sophomores Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji are both safe as well, though their growing pains seem to have put a pinch of doubt into their long-term status with the team.

High Urgency: Jordan Clarkson

Utah Jazz forward/center Kelly Olynyk (41) congratulates guard Jordan Clarkson (00) after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Vivint Arena.

The 31-year-old Clarkson has had an up-and-down season so far for the Jazz. Once the team changed direction, it seemed as though they and Clarkson were headed in different directions.

Despite this, Clarkson stayed last year and signed an extension with the team this past summer. It certainly feels like, for both his and the teams' sake, the Jazz should look to get him and his front-loaded salary to a contending team that can use his spark-plug offensive abilities.

High Urgency: Kelly Olynyk

Dec 21, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Marvin Bagley III (35) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. — Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Turning in another solid season for the Jazz, Olynyk is one of the smartest and best passers on this team. He’s also been ridiculously efficient, shooting over 54% from the floor and nearly 41% from three-point land. So why would the Jazz want to trade him?

Olynyk’s salary expires at the end of the season, and aside from Lauri Markkanen (more on him later), he might be the Jazz's best trade asset. With Hendricks out of the rotation, it makes sense that the team could look to move Olynyk to a contender in exchange for some future pieces.

Olynyk seems like a piece that could help a number of playoff teams down the stretch.

Moderate Urgency: John Collins

Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. — Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The big offseason addition, Collins has been solid for the Jazz this season. He hasn’t taken the leap that some people (me) hoped he would, but his three-point shooting, rebounding, and finishing have all been positive.

Unfortunately, the Markkanen-Collins-Kessler frontcourt has not been good — it’s one of the worst three-man groups on the team statistically. I don’t expect Collins to be moved during the season — in part due to the $78 million he’s owed through 2026 — but if the Jazz find an opportunity to get either future assets or a player that fits more seamlessly, they should take it.

Moderate Urgency: Talen Horton-Tucker

Dec 13, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) drives to the basket by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. — Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The 23-year-old has had some big nights for the Jazz. Now on the edge of the rotation with an expiring salary, it’s hard to see the Jazz re-signing the roller coaster that is 'THT.'

It makes sense for them to try to get anything they can for him. Sensabaugh, the rookie from Ohio State, would also benefit from an opportunity to work his way up the depth chart.

Low Urgency: Simone Fontecchio

Dec 31, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio (16) gets fouled by Miami Heat forward/center Kevin Love (42) during the second half at Vivint Arena. — Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

The shooting has translated much better than it did last year for Fontecchio, and he’s transformed into a 40% thre-point shooter. He’s another player with an expiring salary that, if the Jazz don’t envision bringing him back, could possibly fetch something on the trade market.

While I don’t see Fontecchio holding much value on his own, he could give some extra incentive for teams holding their assets tight.

Low Urgency: Collin Sexton

Dec 31, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) runs down court against the Miami Heat during the second half at Vivint Arena. — Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

It was reported weeks ago that the Jazz were open to moving Sexton, but the way he’s played since could be changing things for the team. He’s averaging nearly 23 points per contest on near 50-40-90 percentage splits over the past 10 games.

If Sexton keeps this stretch up over the next month, it will make it tough for the Jazz to move the soon-to-be 25-year-old. For now, the urgency to move him has decreased for now.