The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Eight intriguing (albeit difficult to pull off) Dante Exum trade ideas

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrives to the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 13, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrives to the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 13, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Capital One Arena on December 5, 2019 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Capital One Arena on December 5, 2019 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Davis Bertans

2019-20 Salary: $7 million

Davis Bertans is having a tremendous shooting season for the Washington Wizards as he’s knocking down 45.7 percent of his triples, up almost three percent from a year ago. He’s having a revolutionary season where the Wizards have allowed him to thrive as a deep-ball threat while also posting career-highs in rebounds, assists and field goal percentage.

Bertans is far from being a defensive ace, but he would allow the Jazz to have more firepower in the second unit off the bench. Plus besides, a team can never have too many perimeter threats, and Bertans is developing into an elite one. He’s been an absolute shooting stud and a guy that will be coveted both in trades and free agency this upcoming summer.

Why the Wizards MIGHT do it:

All indications thus far are that the Washington Wizards are thrilled with Bertans, that he’s exactly the kind of player they want on their roster and that they intend to keep him and aim to re-sign him next year. If that holds consistent, then you can go ahead and flush this option down the toilet right away.

However, there are a few factors that could lead to Washington being open to this deal. First of all, they aren’t exactly in a brilliant spot with a relatively high payroll (13th in the NBA) and just an 8-17 record. Their sights have to be set more on the long-term future than on their immediate standing, so if they like the future pick(s) the Jazz send their way, they might be willing to swap out Bertans for Exum.

That still feels pretty unlikely, however, unless the Wizards somehow learn that Davis has no intention of re-signing with them as an unrestricted free agent this summer. If they believe they won’t be able to keep Bertans, it doesn’t matter how much they like him, it would make no sense to hold onto him in place of getting value for him.

In that instance, they may prefer instead to have a defensive ace in Exum who could help bolster what is currently the league’s dead-last defense. Between a desire to stockpile assets which the Jazz could provide, getting value out of an impending free agent who might leave for nothing and wanting to up their defense, you can at least see some reason why the Wizards may look into this.

Unfortunately for Utah, I have a hard time seeing Bertans wanting out from the team that took a chance on him and is seemingly willing to continue to provide him with a great situation as they want to re-sign him. Not only that, but if Bertans did want out or Washington did have a change of heart, I have a hard time seeing the Jazz being able to fend off other suitors. A three-point ace like Bertans will be a hot commodity for several teams, and won’t be acquired lightly.

Even so, his ability to stretch the floor, hit three-point shots and jolt an offense are all reasons why the Jazz should at least seek to inquire after the six-foot-ten Davis Bertans.