Nutty Jazz Trade Proposal Brings Back Familiar Face From Hornets
It’s been a tough start to the season for the Utah Jazz. They’ve kicked off their 2023-24 campaign with a 7-14 record, falling into the back end of the Western Conference. It has been a combination of shortcomings that have inevitably led to the less-than-ideal start, but it could show that this roster could benefit from a switch-up.
We’re soon approaching trade season in the NBA, with many teams around the league hoping to turn their season around or change directions. It presents the perfect opportunity for the Jazz to hop on the phones to see what players could step in to help this youthful squad.
A candidate to watch may be the Charlotte Hornets, as they may have a great and familiar fit to bring into Utah. Another team that has started their year a bit slow could be searching to mend some of their team’s holes.
Here is a trade proposal the Jazz could investigate, sending two of their guards over to bring back a former fan favorite:
Utah Jazz receive: Gordon Hayward
Charlotte Hornets receive: Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-Tucker
In this case, the Jazz bring back Gordon Hayward, who stands on an expiring contract, for a package consisting of two solid guards Collin Sexton and Talen Horton-Tucker, who also stands on an expiring contract. It’s a deal that benefits each side from both in a financial and on-court sense.
For the Hornets, it provides some relief from one of the largest holes in their lineup: guard depth. After you get past LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, the backcourt becomes a bit slim. Instead, a deal like this can provide not one, but two options as a bench piece.
They’re 23rd in the NBA for bench scoring. By adding Sexton and Horton-Tucker into the mix, it would instantly bring some massive improvement.
Sexton has proven to be an extremely capable spark plug off the bench for the Jazz, and Horton-Tucker can also provide some lineup versatility, size, and shot-making ability for the Hornets. Ridding of a veteran like Hayward also frees up minutes for their newly-drafted forward Brandon Miller, who will likely be in for a minutes increase as the season progresses.
As for the Jazz, it helps fill out their wing position a bit better and adds some needed veteran talent. Currently, Utah has guys in Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk who can be valuable leaders, but such a youthful team could use some more experience. Who better to lead the ropes than the former All-Star who was drafted to the same franchise just over a decade ago?
Through 17 games of the season, Hayward has averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 43.3% shooting from the field and 34.9% from three. Whether he slides in as a starter or reserve, his scoring ability and veteran leadership can provide great value for Utah, even if just a rental.
A mid-season acquisition of Hayward can also provide some cap relief as soon as next summer. He’s currently locked into a $31.5 million deal that expires after the season, freeing up that money to allocate elsewhere.
Whether that money is distributed back into Hayward on a cheaper contract, extending Lauri Markkanen, or bringing in any other outside talent, there's more financial flexibility provided over keeping Sexton’s three-year deal on the books.
We know how adept Danny Ainge is in the trade department, so if a tantalizing deal like this came across his desk, the chance of a roster shake-up is always in the cards.
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