Bold Jazz Trade Proposal Secures Veteran Guard From Trail Blazers
With the current state of the Utah Jazz looking less ideal than initial expectations believed, it may be setting the stage for the team to make a mid-season move to improve the talent on hand.
Recent developments have connected the Jazz as a potential candidate to add an experienced guard to the lineup to assist Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson. Both players have been bright spots at the start of Utah’s season, but the team ranks dead last in the league for turnovers allowed and could use some increased veteran presence on the roster.
This is where the Portland Trail Blazers enter the mix, holding a great fit for the Jazz’s backcourt woes.
Here’s a potential that helps Utah bring improved decision-making and leadership while bringing in some assistance for Portland’s rebuild:
Utah Jazz acquire: Malcolm Brogdon, 2024 second-round pick (via ATL)
Trail Blazers acquire: Kelly Olynyk, Talen Horton-Tucker, 2029 first-round pick (via MIN, top-5 protected)
In this deal, the Jazz bring a coveted vet into the backcourt by shedding two expiring contracts and a future protected first. It effectively adds experience and talent into a backcourt that could desperately use a breath of fresh air, while also netting the Trail Blazers some draft capital.
While losing Olynyk and Horton-Tucker does take a shot at this team’s overall depth, it’s better than losing both in free agency as soon as next summer. Considering the team’s timeline, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Jazz let 32-year-old KO walk on the open market, and Talen could easily find an enhanced role or bigger payday elsewhere. A deal like this effectively allows Utah to capitalize off assets in a necessary way.
Through his first 13 games of the year, Brogdon has averaged 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in just under 30 minutes a night.
As the season continues, Portland will likely keep emphasizing the growth and development of their young talent, making Brogdon expendable. Considering what he put together with the Boston Celtics just a year ago, many contending teams will likely be interested in adding 2023’s Sixth Man of the Year.
Utah may be in tight competition to acquire Brogdon’s services, which effectively forces them to put a future Minnesota Timberwolves first in the deal as well. Combine this with a couple of expiring contracts, and this is exactly the type of deal Portland could be looking for.
With the NBA trade deadline in the distant future, much time remains before we see any increasing developments surrounding Brogdon’s situation. However, the assets the Jazz have on hand make them an intriguing candidate to put a package together.
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