Opt-In/Opt-Out: Predicting 4 Big Jazz Offseason Decisions

With all the roster reshuffling that’s happened over the course of the last year, the Utah Jazz have put themselves in position to make some aggressive changes moving forward. Jazz CEO Danny Ainge touched on the topic in his season wrap-up interview.

“Yeah, this is gonna be fun,” CEO Danny Ainge said. “A lot more draft picks, more money to spend — a shopping spree. This will be more fun — much more fun than last year.”

But before the Jazz can jump into the offseason with both feet, they’ll need answers from four rostered players that can opt in or out of their current contract before the June 29th deadline.

Let’s examine the players and what they’re likely to do.

Rudy Gay: $6.4 Million

Gay will 100% be opting in for the 2023-24 season, which may not necessarily be a bad thing for Utah. If Ainge is looking to make an upgrade via trade this summer, then the contract may be needed to help facilitate the deal.

Also, keep in mind that if Gay isn’t traded this summer, he’ll still be considered an asset despite his age (36) and decline in play. His expiring contract could be used to help net an asset back from a team that’s looking to clear cap space for the 2024-25 season. For that reason, a buyout should be off the table.

Damian Jones: $2.5 Million

It would be too risky for Jones to test the free-agent market this summer at this stage of his career. Where things stand today, Jones would be the backup center heading into training camp.

However, having an expiring contract makes a trade at some point this season likely. But for right now, one in the hand is worth two in the bush for Jones. Expect him to opt-in before the deadline.

Jordan Clarkson: $14.2 Million

Clarkson is the first player on the list that is trending to opt-out. The former Sixth Man of the Year was having a career year before injuries derailed his season. However, walking away from $14.2 million is never a guarantee. Clarkson gave no clues when asked about what might transpire this summer.

"I don't know," Clarkson said on April 11. "Just kind of think that we'll all sit down—[agent] Rich [Paul] and my family and stuff and figure out what the best decision is for me. But that's probably where it ends for me on the comment because I kind of wasn't even thinking about that—looking at that throughout the whole year. So just a conversation we'll end up having, and figure it all out."

Missing 21 games last year didn’t help his stock, and Clarkson could decide to bet on himself and play 2023-24 in Salt Lake City. It’s unlikely but not outside the realm of possibility.

Talen Horton-Tucker: $11 Million

Before the All-Star break, it was a certainty that 'THT' would be opting in, but Mike Conley being traded and Collin Sexton’s lingering hamstring injury opened up the door on the opportunity front for him.

Horton-Tucker responded by averaging 18.1 ppg while dishing out 6.1 assists in the month of March. The impressive stat line and his high ceiling could drum up some interest in free agency. Horton-Tucker was asked about his pending status after the season.

“Really, I just talk to my agents and I let them do their jobs, honestly," Horton-Tucker said in his end-of-season presser. "I really try to stay away from it. I really just listen to them. I hired them because I feel like they’re leading me in the best direction, so I really just let them do that.”

Considering the sample size is small, I expect Horton-Tucker to opt-in, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he rolls the dice looking for a bigger deal in free agency.

Jazz fans will get answers soon.

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