The Utah Jazz didn’t exactly take the NBA by storm at this year’s trade deadline. The trade they did broker felt like a cost-cutting move more than a step forward in their championship contention.
Luckily for the Jazzmen, the trade deadline isn’t the last opportunity for NBA teams to add meaningful talent. That date is March 1st, when the buyout market officially closes.
We’ve already taken a look at some buyout candidates the Utah Jazz could consider. Some, like Deandre’ Bembry, are already off the market. Others, like Kent Bazemore, haven’t even been bought out yet.
Nobody the Jazz may acquire between now and March 1st will be a substantial needle mover. All the players that fit that description are likely to stick on their current rosters. Still, a strong cast of role players can go a long way towards legitimizing a team as an NBA contender.
Here are 2 more players who may hit buyouts, and whether we think they’d make a good fit with the Utah Jazz.
Utah Jazz Buyout Option #1: Tomas Satoransky
Oddly enough, Satoransky was already involved in a Utah Jazz transaction this season. He found his way to the San Antonio Spurs in the same exchange that saw Juancho Hernangomez and Nickeil Alexander-Walker land in Salt Lake City.
That doesn’t preclude the Jazz from adding Sato if the Spurs opt to buy him out. As a rebuilding club, they very well may. If so, should the Jazz be interested?
Probably not. Satoransky is a 6’7 combo guard who can play small forward in a pinch. He’s a valuable, versatile, heady NBA player, but he doesn’t suit the Jazz’s current needs. He’s shooting a gruesome 16.1% from three-point range this season, and is an average defender at best.
Satoransky is generally best with the ball in his hands. He’s a quality option to pilot a team’s second unit, but the Jazz already have Jordan Clarkson handling that responsibility. Acquiring Satoransky to force him into a wing role feels a bit like dressing up a pig.
Verdict: Sell