Utah Jazz fans, strap in. Trade season is coming, and with Danny Ainge at the helm, the Jazz may be actively involved in it.
On Tuesday, the Jazz traded Miye Oni and a 2028 second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for cash considerations. Oni still has NBA potential, but he was never going to reach it as a member of the Utah Jazz. To date, he’s spent 3 seasons in the league, all with the Jazz. His minutes have dropped in each, from 10.9, to 9.6, to his 2021-22 mark of 2.8.
With that said, in 2.8 minutes per night, Oni wasn’t hurting the Jazz anymore than he was helping them. In all likelihood, this trade wasn’t about Oni any more than it was about the cash considerations the Jazz received for him.
Utah Jazz may be planning something bigger
It’s worth noting that the Jazz generated around $5 million in luxury tax savings with this deal. It’s possible that those savings were the primary motivation for the trade.
It just doesn’t feel likely.
The Jazz created something more significant than savings with this deal: an open roster spot. Given Danny Ainge’s history in this league, they’re probably going to fill it.
Lately, a lot of Utah Jazz conversation revolves around the possibility of adding another defensive wing player. In some ways, it’s hard to call such a move imperative. After all, the Jazz are 5th in Defensive Rating at 108.35.
However, Danny Ainge is probably not concerned with regular season statistics. He’s probably got his eyes on the NBA’s biggest prize.
Utah Jazz need to maximize championship window
The reality is, this Utah Jazz defense has a tendency to crater whenever Rudy Gobert sits. That’s problematic because, situationally, Gobert may have to occasionally sit in the playoffs.
We’d hate to push the narrative that Gobert is a playoff liability. He is decidedly not. Still, certain teams will be built to go small in the playoffs, and it may benefit the Jazz to counter those teams with Rudy Gay at the 5. Sacrificing Gobert’s rim protection for stretches becomes a lot easier with another quality wing defender in tow.
The Utah Jazz are an excellent team with a chance to come away with the 2021-22 NBA Championship. When a team finds themselves in that position, it’s always best to maximize that chance.
All of which could be much ado about nothing. The Utah Jazz could be saving money. It’s also possible that they simply won’t find a trade they’re comfortable with. Nonetheless, this trade should give their fanbase ample reason to feel optimistic.