The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Eight intriguing players around NBA reportedly being shopped

By Jared Woodcox

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 5: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 5, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 5: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 5, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  FEBRUARY 1: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on February 1, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  FEBRUARY 1: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on February 1, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Washington Wizards are not far removed from having some serious financial questions. Otto Porter, Bradley Beal and John Wall are all locked in to hefty long-term contracts and the Wizards are also stuck with a couple of less than favorable contracts in Ian Mahinmi and Marcin Gortat. With that being the case, they’ll be facing some tough decisions sooner than later.

One of those tough decisions will likely involve Kelly Oubre Jr. who is still on his rookie contract and has been a nice piece for the Wizards. His shooting is nearly in the same ballpark as Rodney Hood’s, but he’s three years younger and has plenty of time to develop further. He’s also eligible for an extension next season, but wouldn’t hit restricted free agency until after the 2018-19 season, meaning he could be a nice Hood replacement for next season without costing as much.

However, the Wizards likely wouldn’t be all that interested in adding Hood given their financial position, unless they dealt Otto Porter (a possibility that our very own Hayden Van de Maat explored previously), so Utah would probably have to give up something else for Oubre (an expiring contract, for example) while trading Hood away in a separate deal or letting him walk in free agency to avoid a positional log jam.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/957452011477270530

Personally, I think there’s a lot to like about Oubre. He has potential to be a solid wing defender and his shot could very well continue to improve. Not only that, but he’d be extremely affordable for 2018-19 before a tougher decision had to be made on him. However, I just don’t know that I see Washington and Utah being able to come to an agreement that would make this deal happen.

The Wizards may want to shed salary, but that doesn’t mean they’re desperate enough to just give Oubre up for nothing. Then again, those same financial questions might make them hesitant to take on anything that would cost them too much. Meanwhile, an expiring contract likely wouldn’t be enough to land Oubre while the Jazz probably wouldn’t want to give up a substantial pick for him. In short, it’s a bit of a conundrum.

I’d like for the Jazz to explore a trade for Kelly Oubre, but it takes two to tango and it feels unlikely that a deal could be put into place that would get both sides to want to move forward.