Utah Jazz: Which Players on the Trading Block Could be a Good Fit?

Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka is a guy that I mentioned a few weeks back as someone the Jazz should consider in a potential trade to bolster their frontcourt. Orlando has made it clear that they are willing to move him and, even if it were to cost the Jazz Derrick Favors, Ibaka could very well add a potent touch to Utah’s offense and defense.

The Magic currently have a noticeably discombobulated roster that really was constructed with no apparent rhyme or reason. Therefore, it’s possible that they’ll be quite active at the trade deadline and with recent reports indicating that the Magic are actively testing the market for Ibaka, it seems he could very well be Orlando’s most likely player to be traded.

I honestly like the idea of the Stifle Tower teaming up with Serge “I-block-a” as he can stretch the floor better than Favors can while also still serving as a potent defensive threat. He hasn’t been quite the dominant force that he was in Oklahoma City, but then again he isn’t exactly in the most fitting environment for him right now either.

Still, while his blocks and rebounds are down this season, he’s putting up 15.1 points per game which ties his career-high and across the board he looks like a better power forward option than what the Jazz have currently.

The one concern I have with Ibaka is his strong personality that has caused him to clash with teammates in the past, but then again, the Jazz could also benefit from some toughness and a player willing to light a fire beneath them in the right occasions.

It’s hard to say how desperate the Magic are and how realistic it is that Utah has anything that they’d be willing to trade for, but for the most part, he’s a guy that I’d like the Jazz to have on their radar and to pursue.

Verdict: Yellow Light