Utah Jazz Trade Ideas

December 21st, 2015 | by Lucas Falk
AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

This is the time of year when the NBA trade market begins to open up. As of December 15th, players who signed contracts this past summer are now available to be traded. So here are some possible trades. Some realistic, others not so much. I do believe, however, that the Utah Jazz will remain patient and not make any drastic moves, if any moves at all.

Trade #1: Jazz land a stretch big.

 

This one came up on Twitter a few times. Stretch big Ryan Anderson’s name is one of the most frequently used in the rumor mills. Given New Orleans’ slow start, it’s very possible the Pelicans are active participants in the market. Of course, for this trade to happen the Jazz would have to cough up a pick or two considering what the Pelicans would be sending over. Anderson is shooting 37.6 percent from three and taking five threes per game. Evans is having a solid season, averaging 15 points and six assists per game. However, the Jazz would sacrifice some long-term player control as both Anderson and Evans could be gone after just two seasons. Despite Utah’s need for more outside shooting and front court depth, I don’t see the Jazz pulling the trigger on this trade.

Trade #2: Utah adds more shooting

Shooting guard Kevin Martin is another player being made available for trade, though the asking price is unclear. If the Timberwolves are strictly looking for cap relief, I could see them saying yes. Martin is not a good defender, but would provide some decent shooting from behind the arc. Andre Miller is on his last legs and wouldn’t factor much in the rotation, but could help mentor the Jazz point guards for the remainder of his career. The true downside is that Joe Ingles would no longer be a Jazzman, which is unfortunate because he’s grown to be a fan favorite1. The Jazz have had serious defensive letdowns, and adding a weak defender like Martin would only add to the problem. Once again, the Jazz wouldn’t do this trade.

Trade #3: The reunion tour.

I think I mentioned the possibility of some unrealistic trades? This would certainly fall into that category. The Jazz would be giving up almost everyone outside of the Dan Clayton’s untouchables in return for three former Jazzmen. The addition of Paul Millsap would give Utah the best power forward duo in the league and Korver’s shooting would provide the space the bigs need to operate. Not to mention Deron Williams would be the best point guard Utah has had since… Deron Williams. This trade would signal the Jazz are in win-now mode and have given up on the rebuild, which would be a drastic and unlikely shift in vision. Needless to say, both the Hawks and Mavericks would say no and the Jazz wouldn’t even pick up the phone to propose this trade.

The Utah Jazz have a solid core of players in place for the future so any trade, if one were to be made, would be for marginal improvement for complimentary pieces that probably wouldn’t move the needle very much. The Jazz will hold tight until Gobert returns to see where they are at in the playoff hunt, but don’t expect any blockbuster deals involving Utah.

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