The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz trade deadline 2019: Five potential small forward targets

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles past Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles past Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 25: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic in possession of the ball in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center on January 25, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 25: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic in possession of the ball in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center on January 25, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

Jonathon Simmons

Jonathon Simmons hasn’t looked nearly as promising with the Orlando Magic as he once did during some nice stretches with the San Antonio Spurs, but I still believe he’s a player that could bring value if placed in the right situation. We’ve seen players such as Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris improve after leaving the struggling Magic organization, and I could see Simmons following that trend.

His efficiency this season has been quite woeful and he’s down to less than seven points per game in 20.6 minutes of action, but he still has all the tools to be a plus defender and the potential to regain some of the flashes of scoring prowess he showed last year and during his best moments as a Spur. Utah should by no means give up the world for Simmons, but if available at the right price or part of a bigger deal, he could be a great get.

There may not be any substance to the rumor, but in a recent ESPN trade piece, Zach Lowe mentioned Aaron Gordon as a potentially fitting player for the Jazz to pursue in a trade. Depending on the salaries going out and in, if Utah were to pursue Gordon and work Simmons into a deal, it could be a nice haul for them, particularly if Orlando is seeking expiring contracts to hit the reset button.

Personally, I think odds are slim that Utah goes for Gordon or Simmons, for that matter. However, if they want to take a chance on a bit of a project that could pay high dividends down the road at the small forward spot, swinging a small deal for Jonathon Simmons wouldn’t be the worst option out there.