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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Joe Harris

My J-Notes partner in crime Ryan Aston recently mentioned the Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Harris in a piece exploring the best trade option on every NBA team. Here’s what he had to say about the 26-year-old:

"[Joe Harris] is having a career season across the board, averaging better than 10 points and three rebounds while knocking down 41 percent of his nearly five 3-points attempts per game. Not only that, he’s beginning to attack the basket some and throw around his 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame defensively. It may be time for the Nets to sell high if they don’t prioritize re-signing him. Which brings us to the downside for the Jazz and other potential suitors — Harris will be an unrestricted free agent after the season."

There’s a lot to like about Harris and I would be absolutely fine with the Jazz making a move for him to add some shooting off the bench. But, as Ryan mentioned, he is primed to be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

This could actually play in Utah’s favor and give them leverage in a deal if they felt comfortable that Harris would re-sign with them. That’s a pretty big risk, though, and once again, I have a hard time believing that what the Jazz would be willing to give up for him would be exactly what Brooklyn is looking for.

If Utah truly likes Harris and thinks he could be a contributor for them down the road, they’d likely be better off seeing if he could be had in free agency rather than playing the negotiating game with a team such as the Nets that’s simply desperate to return to some sort of competitive form by adding picks and young affordable talent.