Which Players Could the Utah Jazz Most Afford to Trade?

Final Thoughts

Chances are, the Utah Jazz won’t make that big of a move before the trade deadline with any of their key guys. Given that they’re enjoying high success for the first time in several seasons, they’ll likely want to see how the year plays out including in the playoffs before making any team-altering decisions.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dennis Lindsey and the Jazz make a smaller move, such as with one of the back-up point guards, to subtly make this team better and I suspect they’ll at least be very willing to listen to any offers coming in for the guys I mentioned previously.

I toyed with the idea of including Favors in the list due to his struggles this season, but due to the fact that he was nearing “untouchable” status just last season, I don’t think Utah would really consider moving him just yet. Although given that they’ve had great success without him, just as they have without Burks, perhaps it would make sense to consider him somewhat expendable.

Nevertheless, to reiterate, given the vital role he’s played previously with the Jazz, I’m not ready to throw him in that loop just yet.

The other guy that crossed my mind with a huge, and I mean HUGE caveat is Gordon Hayward. If he’s planning to stay with the Jazz long-term, then given the way he’s played this season the Jazz should hold onto him with everything they’ve got. He’s truly turning into a leader for this squad and having an All-Star caliber season.

However, if Hayward expresses his intent to head for greener pastures in free agency, then the Jazz would be wise to try to move him to secure some high value for him rather than lose him for nothing. But fortunately for the Jazz, there’s just no way I see that happening before season’s end, let alone by the trade deadline.

Hayward has constantly expressed a desire to play on a winning squad and the Jazz have done everything in their power to put that kind of talent around him. He fits in great on this team and is being hailed as a hero in Jazzland. There’s no doubt in my in that he’s going to ride this team out through the playoffs before seriously considering other options.

If he then decides to bolt from the Jazz, the hope would be that Utah could work out a sign-and-trade, but of course the best case scenario would be to simply hold onto Gordon long term. In all honesty, my gut is telling me that Hayward is going to stay put. There’s just been too many positive signs this season that seem to indicate that he’s not ready to leave this Jazz team just yet.

If he does, I’ve already prepared a list of top replacements for him, but I’d honestly prefer to just not dwell on that.

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However, beyond Hayward, Favors, Hill, Gobert and a few of the reserves, as you can tell from my list, the Jazz certainly have a number of guys they could afford to trade if the return was just right.

And while I don’t expect anything too drastic, with a roster genius like Lindsey calling the shots, the best bet at all times is to expect the unexpected.

All stats courtesy of NBA.com