The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Eight potential trade targets (and how realistic they truly are)

By Jared Woodcox

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 2: Dennis Lindsey of the Utah Jazz and Jerry West of the Golden State Warriors attend Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 2: Dennis Lindsey of the Utah Jazz and Jerry West of the Golden State Warriors attend Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 3: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 3, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 3: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 3, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jordan Clarkson

Julius Randle’s Los Angeles teammate Jordan Clarkson finds himself in about the exact same boat. He’s also a guy that the Lakers have made quite clear that they are more than willing to trade if they can find the appropriate suitor. It seems he’s run his course in LA and that they’re more than willing to part ways with their sixth man of sorts.

Again, while there’s been no reported connections between Clarkson and the Jazz yet, the fact that he’s definitely available certainly makes him a potential target. In some ways, I feel like there’s a lot to like about Jordan Clarkson. He’s proven himself as a solid scorer and playmaker who can play either guard position effectively. He’s found success both as a starter and off the bench and could provide the Jazz with some nice scoring punch in the right situation.

With that all being said, if I were Utah, I wouldn’t touch him with a 30-foot pole. Sure, he consistently puts up 14 or so points per game, but he’s not very efficient in doing so. On the season, Clarkson is shooting 44.6 percent from the field and just 33.6 percent from deep. Those are both only slightly above his career averages.

I’ve seen some Jazz fans go as far as wanting to pursue Clarkson as a Hood replacement. And while I get as frustrated with Hood’s streakiness as anybody, I strongly disagree with this line of thinking. If anything, Clarkson would be a step down from Hood in most areas. Sure, he’s a little more dynamic of a playmaker than Hood and maybe he doesn’t have as many hills and valleys in terms of inconsistency as Hood, but his overall efficiency is simply so much worse that it’s not worth pursuing him.

Not only that, but he’s under contract for the next two years after this season for $12.5 and $13 million, respectively. That’s a lot of money to have committed into a guy who’s far from a sure thing. Perhaps Clarkson would bring in some much-needed points night after night, but beyond that he’d offer little more and would likely hamper the Jazz’s spending abilities for the next two years.

Sure, he could be a trade target given that LA seems pretty dead-set on moving him, but there’s definitely a reason whey they’re so willing to part with him. Of the three players I’ve mentioned so far, Clarkson is easily the last one I’d want the Jazz taking a look at.