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6 'Dogs' Jazz Could Target in Free Agency & Trade to Upgrade Defense

Defense is contagious after all.

Free agency and trade season is almost upon us, and Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge has a lot of work ahead of his first official offseason. I'm not alone in expressing my frustration with the 2021-22 Jazz and the team's horrendous defense that landed an unceremonious early playoff exit similar to the previous three years. 

The Jazz are in need of a defensive overhaul of their roster. It's a task that will not be accomplished with the recent strategy of ‘continuity’. Upgrading defensively will be especially complicated when factoring in the Jazz’s current payroll sitting in the luxury tax and a lack of draft picks for trade leverage.

Complications aside, Jazz executives seem to be invested in keeping Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert together, at least for the time being. With the 2023 All-Star game coming to Utah for the first time since 1993, it is probably a safe bet to say that Ryan Smith will hold on to the two stars at least through the end of the season. To prepare for that possibility, the Jazz's front office must have everyone else on the team available for trade.

With that in mind, to transform Utah's defense and give Gobert the help he needs, one of the team's top priorities should be to bring in a ‘dog’ on defense. Someone who brings pure energy every night. 

Defense can be contagious, and the 2021 Jazz simply didn’t have the guys to lead that charge. Who's out there that could fit the bill? 

Here are three names via free agency and three names via trade that could meet those needs:

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley (22) reacts after a basket by forward Anthony Edwards (not pictured) against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Target Center.
Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) is defended by Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half of game one of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FTX Arena.
Charlotte Hornets center Montrezl Harrell (8) reacts after a dunk and a foul against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden.
Dallas Mavericks guard Frank Ntilikina (21) and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) react to the end of the game at Vivint Arena.
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) returns the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (8) blocks the shot of New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall (8) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.

Follow Andrew on Twitter @ArembaczNBA.