Ranking 4 buyout candidates the Utah Jazz need to target now

The Utah Jazz didn’t necessarily make a splash on this year’s trade deadline. The deal they did make was somewhat puzzling. Nickeil Alexander-Walker seemed like a target that would be more interesting to a rebuilding squad. Juancho Hernangomez, respectfully, is just not particularly interesting (or valuable).

Many pundits feel that the Jazz should be in the market for a 3-and-D wing. Neither of the players they received at the deadline qualify as such. Will they find a better option on the buyout market?

Frankly, it’s hard to say. This year’s group of buyout candidates feels a little thin. None of the players under consideration fit that description to a tee. Regardless, there will be options available to the Jazz. Some of them will be viable, if imperfect.

Here’s our ranking of four buyout candidates in terms of their fit with the Utah Jazz.

Utah Jazz buyout candidate #4: Paul Millsap

We know, we know. Paul Millsap and the Utah Jazz are long-divorced, and the parting was acrimonious. Plus, the Jazz already have similar players in Rudy Gay and Eric Paschall. This team needs a 3-and-D wing, not a 3-and-D bigman.

These are all valid points. They’re the reasons why Millsap is last in these rankings. Still, who doesn’t love nostalgia?

There may also be basketball reasons for the Jazz to consider this avenue. Millsap is clearly on the last legs of his career, as he averaged just 11.3 minutes per game for the Nets this season. Furthermore, he’s struggled mightily from deep, shooting just 22.2% from three-point range.

He also is (as he’s always been) a better defender than Rudy Gay. Millsap’s 0.2 Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) suggests that he offers more value on that end (Gay is at -0.1). Granted, Gay is more than making up that difference on offense, but depending on the team’s needs in a given situation, Millsap’s ability to switch on defense could prove more valuable.

Consider this one a long shot. Just don’t rule it out as an impossibility.