The NBA’s trade deadline is tomorrow, and Utah Jazz fans are glued to their phones. It feels likely that before tomorrow’s 3 p.m. Eastern Time buzzer, the team will deal someone.
It’s just hard to say exactly who. The Jazz’s needs are clear and well-established. This group could use an additional 3-and-D defender to ease the burden of Rudy Gobert and Royce O’Neale.
The issue is, that’s one of the most coveted player archetypes in the league. The Jazz won’t acquire one cheaply, and they aren’t flush with assets. Most of the veterans on the roster are integral to the club’s infrastructure. Most of the young players are unproven. What are the Jazz left with to deal?
Here are 3 predictions about what the trade deadline might look like for the Utah Jazz.
Utah Jazz trade deadline prediction #1: Joe Ingles continues rehab elsewhere
It feels a little callous for the Jazz to trade Ingles. He’s a Salt Lake City folk hero who recently suffered a devastating injury.
Sentiment aside, this is the National Basketball Association. Joe Ingles won’t be playing again in 2021-22, and the Jazz’s title window is open right now. His contract is also a convenient salary matcher.
The Jazz can’t pass on the opportunity to add an impact player at the cost of someone who can’t suit up for them again this season. They’ll need to put their heart aside and act with logic. Luckily, that’s Danny Ainge’s MO.
We’re confident Ingles’ contract will be attached to something appealing to rebuilding teams before the deadline ends. Utah Jazz fans should brace themselves for an emotional parting with an outstanding role player.
Utah Jazz trade deadline prediction #2: The team will trade a first-round pick
This prediction goes hand-in-hand with the previous one. Joe Ingles’ expiring deal holds some intrinsic value for a rebuilding team on its own. It’s just unlikely to be enough to get anything significant done.
The Jazz could go the route of dangling one of their young players in an offer instead. They have a number of them that could be appealing.
Udoka Azubuike has been impressive lately. The big man is averaging 8.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over his last three games. Injuries have forced the sophomore into a temporary starting role, and he’s risen to the challenge.
Jared Butler is another young Jazzmen some rebuilding teams could be attracted to. Realistically, he was a first-round talent in the 2021 draft who seems to have slipped due to medical concerns. Those concerns do not appear to be substantial enough to scare off potential suitors.
Elijah Hughes and Trent Forrest may both hold some appeal as well. They’ve both managed to find opportunities to impress with the Jazzmen routinely playing shorthanded lately.
None of those players are likely to hold the same value as a future first-round pick.
After all, the Jazz are a veteran team firmly in win-now mode. It’s hard to anticipate where this club will be in 2024, ’25 or ’26. That’s exactly the type of mystery box that rebuilding clubs covet. All of the young players we named have potential, but any rebuilding team is going to prefer an asset that gives them any potential to be drafting in the lottery.
Meanwhile, the Jazz need to make a move. They’ll be targeting impactful veterans on rebuilding teams. Expect whoever they trade with to require a first-round pick before they even get to the bargaining table.
Utah Jazz trade deadline prediction #3: Jordan Clarkson remains in Salt Lake City
If you’ve been reading the J-Notes closely, you know that we’re not exactly opposed to a Jordan Clarkson trade. However, this article is about predictions. We have a feeling Clarkson is staying put.
If not for Ingles’ unfortunate injury, we may feel differently. It felt unwise to trade Ingles for a 3-and-D wing when Ingles himself was essentially a 3-and-D wing. Now that he doesn’t factor into the team’s 2021-22 plans, the calculus is different.
The Jazz will now be afforded the luxury of retaining Clarkson’s shot creation while acquiring a player to replace Ingles. Arguably, that’s a generous way of framing the situation. It feels wrong to identify any positives in Ingles’ injury.
It just makes decision making a little easier. With Ingles becoming the obvious trade chip, there’s no reason to part with Clarkson’s talents unless he’s required in an offer the Jazz can’t refuse.
Hopefully, he can learn to co-exist with Donovan Mitchell in the latter portion of the season.
Any basketball fan can agree this is one of the most exciting portions of the season, whether they pull for the Utah Jazz or not. Expect the Jazz to roster at least one exciting new player by the upcoming weekend.