Who should the Utah Jazz pursue during trade season? The editorial team at The J-Notes reveal their ideal trade deadline targets.
In what has been a major break from the norm of recent years, the Utah Jazz have featured heavily in trade rumors this season. Given the team’s current situation — they’ve got a mismatched roster, a losing record, multiple expiring deals, a high-scoring wing up for grabs, etc — the trade chatter stands to reason.
That said, the Jazz won’t do deals for the sake of it. The’ll only pull the trigger on trades that net a substantial return. They’re looking to build around Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell and get back into the thick of things as early as next season.
But what exactly does that look like? Which trade targets are going to move the needle for Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey? Today, myself and the rest of the J-Notes crew intend to answer those very questions.
Here are our ideal trade deadline acquisitions. Some are of the pie in the sky variety, but even then, we’ve ensured that there’s a method to the madness. We’re talking players that are legitimately on the market that can help the Jazz now, as well as going forward.
Next: Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
J-Notes co-expert Jared Woodcox
It’s probably a long shot, but the trade that I’d be most excited to see the Utah Jazz carry out would be a move to acquire the Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton recently suggested a trade that would involve the Jazz sending Rodney Hood, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Favors and their 2018 first round pick for Walker, Jeremy Lamb and Marvin Williams.
While it’s not without its risks, I would be all for that trade or any similar variation.
Walker would finally bring some stability and reliable scoring to Utah’s ever-changing point guard position and a backcourt of Kemba and Donovan Mitchell would be an absolute blast to watch. Walker is a dynamic playmaker capable of creating his own shot and would help space the floor for the Jazz. Both of those aspects of his game are something Utah desperately needs.
Not only that, but he’s on a friendly contract for the next two years and although it might be quite costly, I could definitely see Kemba being the kind of guy who would re-sign with the organization that put their trust in him and traded for him. He’s been nothing but a high-character guy throughout his career and has expressed nothing but loyalty for Charlotte, so I could see him feeling the same way about the small market Utah Jazz.
The Hornets likely won’t deal him for anything other than an All-Star, as Michael Jordan made clear, but if Dennis Lindsey and Co. could somehow find a way to pry Kemba Walker away, I would be ecstatic.
Next: Dario Saric
Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
J-Notes co-expert Ryan Aston
In my recent piece on what-if scenarios involving Utah Jazz trade targets, my best-case scenario for Dario Saric was summed up as follows: Mitchell-Gobert-Saric becomes one of the league’s most exciting young cores. As it stands, he’s part of a humdinger with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Although some of his best assets take a back seat when he shares the floor with the Sixers’ star duo, Saric continues to show unbelievable value on the hardwood. The 23-year-old has played the role of the stretch big to perfection. He’s averaging a cool 14 points and seven boards per game this year and shooting 38 percent from 3-point range.
However, his incredible playmaking and passing abilities are vastly underutilized. He’s a player you can run the offense through; over the back half of his rookie year (sans Simmons and Embiid), he put up an 18-7-3 line. This year, he simply doesn’t have the ball in his hands enough to show his stuff.
His situation in Utah would be vastly different.
Assuming Ricky Rubio isn’t in Utah’s long-term plans, Saric and Donovan Mitchell could be the players Quin Snyder runs his offense through. Meanwhile, Saric would give Rudy Gobert the space to operate down low that he doesn’t always get with Derrick Favors.
Now, if I’m Philly, I’m not trading Saric for anything less than king’s ransom. His name has featured in trade rumors for a while now, but the 76ers have wisely held firm. However, if I’m the Jazz GM, I’m offering almost anything outside of Mitchell and Gobert to catch a potential star on the rise.
Next: Kevin Love
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
J-Notes contributor Zack Padmore
My dream trade: Jazz receive Kevin Love from the Cavs in exchange for Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, Joe Johnson, lottery protected 2019 first round pick.
Love seems to be unfairly criticized by many around the league. People are quick to point out his flaws, but the reality is that he’s an All-Star player that plays the position the Utah Jazz need the most. Placing him next to Rudy Gobert would give the Jazz an awesome frontcourt.
Love can space the floor and knock down the three ball, and give Gobert the space to dominate in the paint. He has always been a very good rebounder, and is even an underrated passer. His biggest flaw is his defense, but the Jazz could work with him on that end of the floor.
With all the drama currently going down in Cleveland, could Love be made available for trade before the February 8 trade deadline? That remains to be seen, but I do believe that the Jazz have some pieces that could be appealing to the Cavaliers; Favors and Hood in particular.
Having Love in a Jazz uniform next to the likes of Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Dante Exum and others would give Jazz fans a lot of excitement for the future. It has been a difficult season for Utah thus far, but the future is bright.
If an All-Star player like Love becomes available for trade, I really think the Jazz should hop on the phone and call Koby Altman.
Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls
J-Notes contributor Tyler Thorpe
Dennis Lindsey and Utah’s front office need to find a way to get 6-foot-10 sharpshooter Nikola Mirotic in a Jazz jersey before February 8. Mirotic showed Lindsey and Co. just what he could add to Quin Snyder’s system when he dropped 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting against the Jazz in December.
The Chicago Bulls projected to be one of the league’s bottom-feeders entering the 2017-18 season. With Mirotic missing extended time early, they were living up to that billing, going 3-20 over that stretch. Upon his return, Chicago rattled off seven straight wins, including the aforementioned 103-100 victory over the Jazz.
The Bulls have now gone a surprising 14-8 with Mirotic in the lineup this season. Despite the recent success, neither Mirotic nor the Bulls organization appear to be sold on his future with the team.
As soon as Adrian Wojnarowski’s report that Mirotic was “intrigued” with the Jazz surfaced, fans erupted with speculation and potential trade ideas. I, for one, think it could be a Michael Scott “win-win-win.”
Jazz Nation’s enthusiasm began to die down given the additional information that Chicago was asking for a first-round pick in exchange for the former 23rd overall pick. I don’t see the Jazz offering their 2018 first round pick for Mitotic — nor do I think they should. However, Utah needs to find a way to entice Chicago to accept a combination of Derrick Favors, Joe Johnson and/or a future protected first-round pick in exchange for Mirotic.
Imagine adding Mirotic’s 17 points per game and 48 percent FG percentage to Snyder’s free-flowing offense. For you Jonas Jerebko lovers out there, Mirotic is essentially an upgraded version of Jerebko.
While his defense has been sub-par, I believe that Utah’s developmental staff can help mold him into a competent defender. Don’t forget, you don’t always need an elite defender at power forward if you have Rudy Gobert protecting the rim. Mirotic’s offensive ability would far outweigh his deficiencies on the other end.
Next: Otto Porter
Otto Porter, Washington Wizards
J-Notes contributor Hayden Van de Maat
My dream trade brings Wizards wing Otto Porter to the Jazz in exchange for Rodney Hood, Derrick Favors and Joe Johnson. Some rumors have surfaced about Otto’s discontent in Washington, leading some to believe there’s a chance Porter gets dealt at the trade deadline.
If the Wizards are indeed willing to trade him, the Jazz should be in pursuit. Porter possesses all the physical tools to be one of the best two-way players in the NBA and has a skill set to match. He is still only 24 years old, so he is not a finished product.
Last offseason, the Wizards gave him a mammoth deal and since they could be looking for another All-Star to play with Wall and Beal and perhaps make them a contender, it’s possible that they want Porter’s contract off the books. Washington also has a severe lack of depth that could hurt them come playoff time.
This trade fixes that issue because they’re getting three more than capable rotation players. And if they do elect to go after an All-Star in the offseason, they won’t be locked into any long-term contracts. Rodney Hood is a free agent this summer, but the Wiz would acquire his bird rights which would go a long way toward re-signing him should they elect to take that path.
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Meanwhile, the Jazz will have solidified their young core of Dante Exum, Donovan Mitchell, Otto Porter and Rudy Gobert.
J-Notes social media guru Jared Barker
So the Jazz were interested in paying the max for Otto man? His value is down right now in part because he’s playing on a team where John Wall and Bradley Beal forced out his best friend Nene Hilario per reports. He doesn’t want to be there and the Wizards are an incredibly shallow team and could use a big man like Favors who is a huge upgrade over Marcin Gortat.
This trade might just make sense for both teams and make everyone happy. Shoot, maybe Joe Johnson wants to go to an Eastern conference playoff team to see if he can recapture that playoff magic from last year. Get it done Dennis Lindsey.