Jazz Big 3 Needs Approaching Trade Deadline: Time to Finally be Buyers?
The NBA trade deadline is just around the corner, and just like last season, the Utah Jazz find themselves involved in rumors circulating around the league. With the recent surge in Salt Lake City, it’s possible that Utah could be buyers this year.
If Utah decides to make a major upgrade, what position makes the most sense? Let's take a look at three positions of need and examine whether the timing is right for Utah to make an all-in move.
Point Guard
With the emergence of Collin Sexton this season, the Jazz may have found their starting shooting guard of the future. The starting point guard moving forward is another story, though.
As well as Kris Dunn has played this season, Utah will want to upgrade the point guard position at some point. Is that upgrade already on the roster, or does Utah bring in somebody via trade or free agency?
With Lauri Markkanen’s max contract looming, the best-case scenario is to have rookie Keyonte George ultimately take over, but is he a permanent solution? That remains to be seen, but it would be premature to make that decision today.
George is only 20 years old and needs at least another year of live reps before a determination can be made.
Center
Utah currently has John Collins starting at the five, with Walker Kessler coming off the bench. Kessler could be the future's starting center, but he has some holes in his game that pose some problems.
Kessler creates spacing issues in half-court sets for his teammates, and his inability to make free throws has shown up in close games. However, just like the point guard position, trading for a center might be premature, given the current status of Utah’s roster.
Is it possible that a solution to Utah’s problem is currently playing in the G-League? Taylor Hendricks can give Utah the spacing and shot-making ability that Kessler lacks while also providing the rim protection and defensive prowess that Collins is missing.
Again, it's too early to make that call, but I'd be surprised if Utah went all in on that position before knowing what Hendricks can bring to the table.
Small Forward
The position that Utah needs an upgrade and also doesn't have any potential options on the roster is the small forward position. Simone Fontecchio has been a pleasant surprise, but he isn’t a game-changer by any stretch of the imagination. Also, Ochai Agbaji has underwhelmed this season and, at 23 years old, may not have a lot of room to grow.
Chicago Bulls All-Star Zach Lavine is rumored to be on the trade block, but how much would he move the needle this year? It wouldn’t be enough to contend for a title, and given Lavine’s contract, it would limit what Utah could do in free agency moving forward.
Keep in mind, Lavine signed a five-year, $215 million contract in 2022. Can a team with Markkanen and Lavine being the best players contend for a championship?
Bottom Line
This year is shaping out to be fun, and upgrading at the trade deadline may ensure Utah a playoff spot. However, Utah is in just the second year of its rebuild, and there are too many players that are currently rostered that need questions answered before Jazz CEO Danny Ainge does an all-your-chips-in-the-middle-of-the-table type of move.
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