The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz trade deadline 2019: Five potential power forward targets

By Jared Woodcox

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards passes the ball around Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz in the first half at Capital One Arena on January 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards passes the ball around Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz in the first half at Capital One Arena on January 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 31: Los Angeles Lakers Forward Kyle Kuzma (0) looks on before a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 31: Los Angeles Lakers Forward Kyle Kuzma (0) looks on before a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Kyle Kuzma

If Utah could do things over, they probably would have found a way to draft Kyle Kuzma instead of Tony Bradley back in 2017. The former University of Utah standout has exploded to become one of the most promising young players in the Association and likely would be happy to play alongside his friend Donovan Mitchell and back in his former college stomping grounds in front of fans who adore him.

And while you might think there’s little chance that the Jazz could get him with Kuzma being one of the Lakers best young pieces in a potential blockbuster deal for Anthony Davis, that fact may actually be Utah’s best bet in being able to land him. Several reports have indicated that talks between the Lakers and Pelicans have stalled as the Lakers simply don’t have enough to deal and the Pelicans are asking far too much for Davis.

With such being the case, if the Lakers are truly determined and desperate to get Davis, their only chance may be to include a third team to sweeten the deal for the Pels. As such, enter the Utah Jazz. The Lakers alone may not have enough to woo the Pelicans, but it’s entirely feasible that a combined package coming from both Los Angeles and Utah could be enough to get the Pelicans to strike, with Davis heading to LA and Kuzma (perhaps among others) heading to Salt Lake City.

Kuzma wouldn’t instantly elevate the Jazz to another level, but he would certainly be a promising young piece that would fit Utah’s timeline. As he and Donovan Mitchell continued to improve together, the Jazz could very well have the makings of a prominent Big 3 down the road with Kuzma, Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

Kuzma’s 3-point efficiency is down this season, but his scoring is up and he’s still as capable as ever at getting to the basket and creating a shot. After a somewhat discouraging year dealing with the LeBron James drama in LA, a refresh in Salt Lake City could do Kuzma a world of good, and I believe the Jazz would put him in a situation where he’d be instilled with confidence and able to thrive.

I haven’t seen any reports that this kind of deal might be in the works, but it’s honestly one I’d love to see happen. I’m a firm believer in Kuzma, and think that if he were to be given a shot in Salt Lake City, he could be here a long time and blossom into a prolific stretch-four option for the Jazz. He wouldn’t be an immediate fix, but his long-term benefit could very much transcend the here and now.

As much as I don’t really care to see AD go to the Lakers, if it meant the Jazz were able to nab a promising talent like Kuzma to fill their stretch-four need, I’d be all for it.