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Utah Jazz: Three predictions leading up to the trade deadline

By Jared Woodcox

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 17: Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 17, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 17: Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 17, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 08: Dennis Lindsey General Manager of the Utah Jazz speaks to the press about signing Joe Johnson to the Utah Jazz at Zions Bank Basketball Center on July 08, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Prediction #3 – At least one unexpected player that few (if any) see coming will join the Jazz at the deadline

For the most part, the Utah Jazz have built a reputation as a tight-lipped organization when it comes to trades or free agency. Did anybody really see the Shelvin Mack trade of two years ago coming? There were a few assumptions that Utah could be interested in George Hill, but that trade was quite a surprise as well. How about the Joe Johnson free agency signing that caught everyone off guard?

Especially when considering those instances, the fact that the Jazz have been brought up so many times in trade rumors and speculation this season has been largely a departure from the norm. They’ve been the center of several potential trade scenarios and there are even a handful of opposing team players that have been connected to the Jazz on a number of occasions. Nikola Mirotic was the most prevalent of those, but obviously that’s no longer an option.

Nevertheless, knowing how the Jazz tend to operate and considering what Lindsey has done in the past, I predict that Utah will pull off a deal that will bring in at least one player that practically no one (if anyone at all) saw coming. It will be one of those transactions where the first wind anybody catches of it is when the Woj bomb hits and the news has dropped.

And when it does drop, I truly believe it will be for someone rather surprising that may very well catch Jazz fans off guard. Nevertheless, if such a deal is struck, you can bet that it will be a savvy and beneficial move for the Jazz. Lindsey has been nothing if not prudent in his decision-making as the Jazz GM and I would expect nothing less than a well thought out move that will help Utah long term if anything is done.

Next: Utah Jazz 2017-18 Week 17 Outlook, Predictions

So there’s a lot to be excited about for Utah Jazz fans leading up to the trade deadline. Many have the team pinned as being active and there could certainly be a significant amount of shakeup. I believe that shakeup will lead to a new, unexpected face in a Jazz uniform while it will mark the departure of Rodney Hood from the Jazz. Meanwhile, though he has been mentioned as a likely trade piece throughout the season, I don’t believe we’ve seen the last of Derrick Favors in Utah.

Then again, I’m not inside the head of Dennis Lindsey and any or all of these predictions could end up being dead wrong. I’d be surprised if such were the case, but even if it is, you can bet that it’s because other exhilarating moves and decisions are in the works.

In three short days, all the questions and speculation will finally be resolved.

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