5 on 5: Depth Adding Trades

Could Trevor Booker be on the move to help shore up depth? (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)

1.  Jazz trade Trevor Booker & Non-Guaranteed Contracts to the Boston Celtics for Kelly Olynyk, Gerald Wallace, and 2018 Memphis 1st Round Pick

Dan Clayton: Pass. The Jazz could do worse than Olynyk as a third big: he’s skilled, smart and OK (but not great) at shooting from deep. But the going rate for assuming $10M in salary (Wallace) is a little better than that. Also, that ’18 Memphis pick probably won’t be delivered until ’19 because of the wacky protections on an earlier debt.

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Aaron Hefner: If the Jazz are unable to find a better use of their cap space then yes, otherwise I may pass. Kelly Olynyk is an above average bench big who can space the floor and the Memphis draft pick could end up being quite valuable.

Clint Johnson: I do this in a heartbeat if I’m the Jazz. The Memphis pick alone is enough to justify the swap given its protections (1-12 in 2018 down to unprotected in 2021). That said, I can’t see any possibility of Boston doing something along these lines. I’m no cap expert, but these numbers look awfully tough to crunch.

Clark Schmutz: Absolutely. This is an easy one. Olynyk is probably the best player in this trade. The Jazz reportedly really liked him when he came to work out for them. Memphis’ pick will probably be conveyed in 2019, but it’s unprotected if it makes it all the way to 2021. All for the cost of Wallace’s $10 million final year, which would be bought out immediately? Sign me up.

David J. Smith: Probably, yes. Wallace’s onerous pact would be difficult to stomach, but the Jazz would be getting two solid pieces in return. Olynyk is a capable reserve who still has two years on his rookie deal. He is crafty offensively, can stick the jump shot and is a smart passer. The pick could be valuable. Is this how Utah wants to spend their cap space?

2.  Jazz trade Non-Guaranteed Contracts, 2015 2nd Round Pick, 2016 2nd Round Pick to the Miami Heat for Josh McRoberts
(This could save Miami Heat $5-10 million in luxury tax.)

Dan Clayton: Sure. McBob doesn’t set anybody’s toes a-tingle, but with 18 picks in the next four drafts, Utah can certainly afford to give away some seconds and end-of-roster guys for a guy who can probably be good again. He doesn’t exactly light it up from deep (mid 30s), but he’s actually a really good passing big.

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Aaron Hefner: Absolutely. This is a low risk, high reward trade. Josh McRoberts would be an impactful third big for the Jazz who are in desperate need of front court depth. Also, he is on a very team friendly contract, which gives the Jazz more flexibility moving forward.

Clint Johnson: This doesn’t do much for me – although it doesn’t cost much either. I’ll pass because I’d rather keep the 2nd round picks to roll the dice with and then sign a player like Jonas Jerebko, Jason Smith, or Pero Antic. Roll-playing stretch bigs aren’t too hard to find in the modern NBA.

Clark Schmutz: I would make this trade.  The Jazz have multiple 2nd round picks in both 2015 and 2016 and would not miss them very much (besides the fact they rarely are used to draft useful NBA players). McRoberts would be a really nice fit, both stretching the floor and playing better than average defense.  Keeping Trevor Booker would be a bonus.

David J. Smith: Most likely, no, but I could be convinced. McRoberts is a scrappy player and his fantastic passing would be a boon to Quin Snyder’s offense. While not a high volume shooter, he is capable of knocking down the three. Even so, his injury history and contract do not appeal ($11.3 million over two seasons, not including a $6.0 million player option).

3.  Jazz trade Trevor Booker & Trey Burke to the Orlando Magic for Channing Frye

Dan Clayton: I wouldn’t mind this type of deal, but not for Frye. Ignoring for a sec that he was terrible last season, even at his peak he never gets to the line, doesn’t pass the ball, and makes his team worse defensively. At 32, he’s not going to magically start getting better, and he’s owed $23M+ over the next three.

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Aaron Hefner: This is a close one. While I’m not convinced Trey Burke or Trevor Booker are a part of the Jazz’s future, I’m also hesitant to take on Channing Frye’s contract given that he is 32. I would probably do it. Frye would provide much needed spacing and the Jazz won’t hit the salary cap next year anyways.

Clint Johnson: I kind of hate this one. Frye’s been an occasional Jazz killer given Utah’s historical reluctance to defensively commit to stretch bigs, but I prefer Booker to Frye straight up. Also, I suspect Trey Burke has quite a bit more development to go. I’m reluctant to give up on him after two years, especially for this return.

Clark Schmutz: No deal. I like Channing Frye, and he’s better than Trevor Booker at three point shooting. But I think Booker is really valuable to the Jazz and I want him to return and shoot 2-3 three pointers a game. Also, Frye’s contract would make it hard to replace Burke via free agency. We would need a good backup PG in this case.

David J. Smith: Negative. While Frye is an elite 3-point shooter and would create spacing, there are too many negatives. He is 32 and is owed $23.4 million over the next three seasons. He averaged just 7.3 PPG on 39 percent shooting for Orlando. He does not rebound well and rarely gets to the free throw line. Pass.

4.  Jazz trade Non-Guaranteed Contracts & 2015 2nd Round Draft Pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Spencer Hawes

Dan Clayton: No, thanks. Hawes’ deal is identical to McBob’s, but the chances of him being a positive contributor are much lower. Remember, even at his best, he has not been an efficient possession-user except for in one of his eight seasons. So I wouldn’t want his $17M on the books.

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Aaron Hefner: Another yes from me. Obviously much has been written about Spencer Hawes’ terrible season on the Clippers, the Jazz are giving up very little to acquire him. $5 million in cap space is minor and if Hawes does return to 2013 Hawes, the Jazz walk away from this trade like bandits.

Clint Johnson: Sign me up. Hawes really disappointed the Clippers, but there simply aren’t many seven-footers who are career 35% shooters from three and possess his passing skills. I think Hawes would cost more than this even after his rough last season, but if this was on the table, I’d grab it if I were the Jazz.

Clark Schmutz: I would do this deal, but wouldn’t be pumped about it. Politically, there are few better fits for the Jazz than Spencer Hawes. I don’t love his game, but he would fit okay here and his contract will be negligible with the salary cap increases. He’d be a cheap (ish) 4th big.

David J. Smith: No. While Hawes has some interesting skills – perimeter shooting and passing – his defensive deficiencies and inability to contribute on good teams are too much to look past, especially when his contract (same deal as McRoberts) is taken into consideration. Utah would not be sacrificing much of value, but could find better options for less long-term money.

5.  Jazz trade Trey Burke, 2016 2nd Round Pick, & 2017 2nd Round Pick to the Sacramento Kings for Darren Collison

(This is assuming the Kings trade for Ty Lawson, as has been rumored.)

Dan Clayton: An easy yes, if Sacto would do it. Even if Trey hits just about the best case scenario I can imagine, Collison is already that good, maybe better. He scores efficiently, creates for others and takes care of the ball. His production has been fairly consistent whether starting or coming off the bench, so he could be a good candidate for a variable role behind and alongside Dante Exum.

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Aaron Hefner: 100% yes. As most know I am not high on Trey Burke and considering the Jazz have 11 second round draft picks in the next 4 years, I am perfectly happy to trade Burke and a few second round picks for a very solid backup point guard.

Clint Johnson: Hmmm, this one’s tough. I’ll say no because of my confidence in Dante Exum. Collison would expect a starting job for at least the next two years (when he reaches free agency) in hopes of earning one more big contract. My bet is two years from now the Jazz are better off investing those minutes in Exum.

Clark Schmutz: Darren Collison had a really good year last year. But before that he’s been average to very poor with stretches of good play. Would he be willing to not start? I don’t know. I would question what this trade could do for chemistry, but it would certainly improve us if we were getting 2014-15 Collison. But for now, a soft pass from me.

David J. Smith: Collison is a very solid player who played well for Sacramento before injuries derailed his season. He is a 37 percent 3-point shooter, can distribute the ball, hits his free throws and puts forth effort defensively. He is owed just $10.2 million over two seasons. Collison would be an upgrade over Burke and a solid player to pair with Dante Exum.