Utah Jazz Trade Target #4: Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart isn’t quite a 3-and-D wing. At the same time: isn’t he?
The NBA has become a positionless league, and few players have the defensive versatility of Smart. He’s only 6’3, but at 220 pounds and with a relentless mentality, Smart can guard 1s, 2s and some 3s. Accordingly, he could lineup at the small forward position for spells with Conley and Mitchell starting in the backcourt.
However you slice it, a trio of Smart, Royce O’Neale and Rudy Gobert should be highly effective on defense. They may not be matchup proof, but the combined IQ and intensity of Smart and O’Neale on the perimeter with Gobert on the backend would give all but a few teams in this league fits.
Of course, Smart would still spend the bulk of his time in the backcourt. That’s fine too. An undersized guard duo of Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell is offensively potent, but have left a lot to be desired on the less glamorous end. Smart would be a significant upgrade as a point of attack defender.
In all likelihood, he’d pilot the second unit, and potentially join the starters in certain matchups. No matter how Snyder used him, it’s safe to assume he’d be highly effective.
Utah Jazz Trade Target #5: Eric Gordon
If you’ve noticed a trend here, pat yourself on the back. With each target, we’ve moved gradually further away from the 3-and-D archetype that many believe the Jazz should covet.
It’s the latter half of that equation that Gordon doesn’t necessarily account for. While he generally enjoys a reputation as a solid defender, the metrics don’t necessarily agree. His -2.3 DBPM is concerning, and his -1.4 career mark doesn’t do him any favors. He doesn’t grade out well in D-LEBRON either, landing at -1.92 this season.
The Utah Jazz should still inquire with the Rockets about his availability. He makes up that much ground in 3-point shooting.
Gordon is shooting 45.2% on 5.2 three-point attempts per game this season. That is stunning. While Gordon has been a streaky shooter throughout his career, he’s also been generally solid. A 37.2% accuracy rate on 6.3 attempts per night is nothing to sneeze at.
He could replace Jordan Clarkson (the presumptive contract matcher) as the team’s sixth man. The benefit would be that while Gordon is capable of carrying second units while Donovan Mitchell rests, he can also space the floor for Spida when they share it.
That could be enough for the Jazz’s front office to ignore Gordon’s defensive metrics.
Acquiring any one of these targets would likely improve the outlook of the Utah Jazz. Fans of the team will certainly anticipate this year’s February 10 trade deadline.