Utah Jazz: Pros and Cons of Potential Trades

It’s no secret that the Atlanta Hawks’ Jeff Teague has been linked to the Jazz in several trade rumors. I’ve already covered my thoughts on a potential trade involving Burks and Booker for Teague and Kent Bazemore, but the latest buzz is that the Hawks would ask for Rodney Hood in return. Hood for Teague? How would this look for the Jazz?

Pros: The Jazz would get a talented point guard that would certainly help shore up that position. Teague comes on a manageable contract in terms of dollar amount and length. Inserting Teague as the starter while allowing Neto to slide as the backup would instantly improve the Jazz’s perimeter defense against opposing point guards.

Cons: However, and this is a BIG however, while the Jazz would be improving the point guard position, they would be drastically hindering their already thin (with Burks sidelined) shooting guard spot. Hood has been a monster of late averaging 19.8 points per game during the month of February so far. In January, Hood shot a season-high 46.2 percent from three, an incredible number.

Without another piece involved in this trade such as Kyle Korver (who is reportedly also on the trade block) or a player from an involved third team, it doesn’t make sense to strengthen one position only to reduce another one just as much if not more.

Verdict: I was high on a potential trade for Teague and Bazemore because I felt that it improved the Jazz’s two weakest links — their point guard spot and their bench — without devastating the shooting guard position (the Jazz have played pretty dang well without Burks). However, trading away Hood for Teague would be way too high a price considering the young guard’s recent play and upside.

Unless another combination of players is somehow involved that would alleviate the loss of Hood, it really doesn’t make any sense for the Jazz to trade him.

Next: Darren Collison