Insider Links Jazz's Kelly Olynyk & Jordan Clarkson to Knicks
Most trade rumors surrounding the Utah Jazz continue to be centered around Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Clarkson. The latest comes from NBA insider Michael Scotto of USA TODAY Sports, claiming that the pair of Jazz veterans are garnering interest from the New York Knicks.
The Knicks also registered trade interest in Utah’s Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk earlier in January, league sources told HoopsHype.
“Whatever team can get Clarkson will be a game changer,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “I think he’s the best of the volume scorers available on the trade market.”
“Clarkson, the 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, began the season as a starter for 19 games and has since come off the bench.”
“Olynyk has drawn interest from various teams across the league, sources say, and is considered Utah’s top trade candidate ahead of the deadline by rival executives as he prepares to enter unrestricted free agency in the summer.”
On Tuesday night, Olynyk and Clarkson gave the Knicks a close-up look at what they could bring to the table in Utah's 118-103 loss. Clarkson scored only 11 points on 1-for-5 shooting from long distance and turned the ball over three times. In fact, Clarkson has struggled taking care of the basketball with 17 turnovers during Utah's six game road trip.
Olynyk hasn't fared much better, averaging 1.8 turnovers in just 17 minutes per contest in that same six-game span. If Utah is looking to unload both players, then the timing could be much better.
However, both players have a long enough track record, and that may not matter. Playoff contenders will be looking for a spark plug off the bench, and both players have proven that they can be just that.
That said, Olynyk is more likely to leave of the two. Time is ticking on whether Utah can get a return on the second-year Jazzman. Not only will he be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but the odds of coming back to Salt Lake City are very slim. Rookie Taylor Hendricks needs a path for development minutes, and unloading Olynyk at the trade deadline would do just that.
As for Clarkson, the Jazz can afford to be more patient. He still has two more years on his current contract, and Utah may need him to help facilitate a bigger deal down the road. Also, with the Jazz in the playoff conversation this season, they could use the points he produces off the bench. Jazz fans will find out how it plays out soon, with the trade deadline slated for February 8.
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