The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz trade deadline 2019: Five potential shooting guard targets

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 30, 2017 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 30, 2017 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  JANUARY 30: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards smiles during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 30, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  JANUARY 30: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards smiles during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 30, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention – Bradley Beal

The reason why I’ve included Bradley Beal here as an honorable mention and not one of the five is the simple fact that I don’t think he’s a realistic target in the least. Whereas the other five on this list could potentially be in Utah’s wheelhouse due to rumors associated with them, need, fit and other realistic factors, Beal just doesn’t quite check all the boxes.

Sure, he’d be a dream fit alongside Mitchell in the backcourt as a scorer extraordinaire and a dynamic threat in all aspects in Quin Snyder’s offense, but unfortunately, the chances of nabbing him seem slim. Sure, there have been grumblings that the Washington Wizards may be interested in trading for Derrick Favors, but it would take a lot more than that to woo Beal away from Washington.

Looking up and down Utah’s roster, I simply don’t see a way they’re able to put together an exciting enough package that gets the Wizards to part with as impressive of a figure as Beal, unless by some miracle Washington changed course and decided to only look to add expiring contracts and blow things up.

Recent reports seem to indicate that such couldn’t be further from the truth, though. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis was recently quoted saying they wouldn’t be moving any of their core trio of John Wall, Bradley Beal or Otto Porter. And while that could very well just be talk, it certainly seems that of the three, Beal is the last they should be looking to let loose.

I honestly have a hard time seeing Beal being traded at all by this year’s deadline, and I’d be extremely surprised to see him moved to the Jazz.

I suppose I could be caught off guard – after all, crazier things have happened on deadline day – but as amazing as it would be to have Beal in Salt Lake City, I’m of the opinion that it’s more worth our time to cast that dream aside and instead focus on a handful of more viable options for the Jazz.