Utah Jazz: Pros and Cons of Potential Trades

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Dec 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton suggested the following trade with commentary on what the deal would mean for both sides–

New Orleans Pelicans send: Jrue Holiday and Norris Cole
Utah Jazz send: Trey Burke, Alec Burks and the Jazz’s 2016 second-round pick

Pelton: “With Marc Gasol’s injury leaving the Memphis Grizzlies vulnerable, the Jazz are consistent PG play away from realistically getting as high as fifth in the West. Unless George Hill is available, I like Holiday best of the potential fits. His size, defense and shooting allow him to upgrade the position this year without blocking Dante Exum, since the two could potentially play together.

With Tyreke Evans out for the season — and maybe not a part of New Orleans’ long-term plans — the Pelicans get Burks to replace Evans’ ability to create off the dribble, improve their guard depth and save some money.”

Pros: The Jazz get an upgrade at the point guard position by adding Jrue Holiday who could be the starter for the remainder of this season and facilitate a playoff push. Norris Cole who brings significant playoff experience would add depth to the Jazz’s guard rotation.

Cons: Holiday has been inconsistent since his Philadelphia days. Yes he’s still averaging 15 points and 5.5 assists per game this year, but that pales in comparison to his 17.7 points and 8 assists per game that he logged his final year in Philly. Also, as was brought up previously on this site, one pro of trading away Alec Burks would be the chance of getting a more durable player in return. However, Holiday would by no means be categorized as durable. He played in just 74 games combined over the course of the previous two seasons.

Not only would bringing Holiday in be risky by itself, but giving up a young, explosive Alec Burks who has yet to reach his ceiling might be too high of an asking price for the Jazz. It would undoubtedly give them a boost this year to make the playoffs (assuming Holiday stayed healthy) but in a year where the Jazz’s ceiling is likely a first-round playoff exit anyway, it probably wouldn’t make sense over the long-term.

Verdict: If this trade were for the Jrue Holiday of the 2012-13 season and the Jazz could keep him around, I would say go for it. Unfortunately, Holiday isn’t quite the same anymore. While a change of scenery could help reignite his career, giving up Alec Burks seems a little too much to ask. I’m personally a big fan of Holiday so in that regards would be happy with this trade, but don’t think it’s a solid enough long-term solution for the Jazz particularly considering Holiday’s injury history and Cole’s extreme inefficiency from the field.

Next: Jeff Teague