The J-Notes
Fansided

Evaluating the “tradability” of each Utah Jazz player

By Jared Woodcox

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 7: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz makes his entrance before the game against the Miami Heat on January 7, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 7: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz makes his entrance before the game against the Miami Heat on January 7, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 27: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz watches his shot against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 27: Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz watches his shot against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 27, 2017 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Thabo Sefolosha

When looking at him as a trade piece, Thabo Sefolosha is an interesting case. In a lot of ways, he was somewhat of a last-ditch effort for the Jazz to fill the gaping hole that Gordon Hayward left in free agency and they were able to acquire him on a very friendly two-year, $10.5 million deal. While Sefolosha was viewed as likely a nice role player pick-up, he’s actually surprisingly been one of Utah’s best players this year.

With that being the case, his trade value is also likely reasonably high. He’s a solid veteran that boasts a ton of experience, an elite defender and he’s shot the ball really quite well this season at 48.7 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep.

In other words, while he’s not going to bring in an earth-shattering prize, Sefolosha could very well be one of Utah’s most valuable trade pieces. And if the right deal arises (particularly a package that allows the Jazz to shed a detrimental contract such as Burks’), then Utah could absolutely opt to part ways with Sefolosha.

Related Story: Utah Jazz: Regardless of match-up, Thabo Sefolosha needs to play

While I think there’s a chance of that happening, I actually hope that it doesn’t end up being the case. I’ve talked a lot about Utah looking to do what will be best for them in the long-term and finding guys that will be a fit for the future, and even though Sefolosha is only under contract for one more season after this one and although he’s 33 years old, I feel like he’s been too dang good for the Jazz to just let him go.

So Sefolosha has some nice value and could very well be traded, but with how few guys the Jazz have right now that appear to mesh well with the team, I wouldn’t mind if they pumped the brakes on sending him packing and instead held on to him to see what he can do next season in a presumably more prosperous year for the Jazz. His contract isn’t holding back the Jazz much at all and there’s a lot of good that he could still do for this team.

Verdict: Tradable, solid value, but Jazz may not want to move him