3 trades the Utah Jazz would absolutely have to consider

Utah Jazz acquire forward Torrey Craig

All signs point to an at least partial tear down in Indiana. At 14-23, they’re currently a disappointing 13th in the Eastern Conference. Between Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert, there’s talent in Indiana. Unfortunately, between health and fit concerns, it isn’t amounting to much.

The Utah Jazz may be able to capitalize on their discontent. Granted, there are questions about whether Indiana will be open to a full scale rebuild. As a small market club, they’ve generally resisted that path. If they finally choose to venture down it, this swap could make sense for both sides.

Torrey Craig typifies the 3-and-D role, albeit not in 2021-22. His -0.1 DBPM is uninspiring, and his 27.5% accuracy on 2.1 three-point attempts per game is something worse. We’re willing to chalk his underwhelming performance up to his situation. We’re also willing to bet that last season’s marks of 36.8% three-point accuracy and a 0.4 DBPM are more reflective of his actual abilities.

Meanwhile, the Jazz wouldn’t lean on Craig as their primary 3-and-D option. Royce O’Neale is a remarkably similar and unequivocally better player. Craig would effectively be an insurance policy. He’d also diversify Snyder’s rotation, allowing him to field two defensive minded wings where matchups require it. That’s good value at the cost of two players who aren’t in the rotation of a win-now ball club like the Jazz anyway.

As for the Pacers, they get to roll the dice on two fairly intriguing young players for the price of a veteran they have little use for. Craig is an ill fit for a lottery team, and Azubuike and Hughes aren’t seeing minutes on a contender.

This trade finds a better home for all of the parties involved in it.