Utah Jazz ’19-20 Trade Deadline: 5 backup center proposals

Christian Wood

Here we have a straight swap for a player in Christian Wood who has, somehow, bounced around and played for five different teams in four NBA seasons. He could find a home in Utah, playing behind Rudy Gobert.

Wood is on an expiring contract, and teams have inquired about his availability leading up to the deadline, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

It would make sense for the Pistons to get something for him if they feel that they cannot re-sign him over the summer. The former UNLV center is averaging a career-best in points (10.1), rebounds (5.3) and field-goal percentage (57%).

He’s solidified himself as an NBA player with his play in Detroit. He’s very efficient, can space the floor (37% from deep) and is active defensively thanks to his length. He’s a much better offensive player compared to Davis and Bradley and would give the Jazz a spark off the bench.

This trade does make sense for Detroit, too. They do have three solid point guards in Bruce Brown Jr., Derrick Rose and Reggie Jackson, but Brown is the only one in it for the long haul. Mudiay is still young and has improved immensely with the Jazz. He could be worth the experiment for Detroit.

Mudiay has fallen out of Utah’s rotation completely with the return of Mike Conley and the addition of Jordan Clarkson. He, too, is on an expiring contract. The fifth-year guard is averaging 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Jazz.

To me, nabbing Wood from the Pistons would be the best outcome of the bunch listed here.