Utah Jazz can claim Rudy Gobert as their best defensive player, but probably not for much longer. The disgruntled..."/> Utah Jazz can claim Rudy Gobert as their best defensive player, but probably not for much longer. The disgruntled..."/> Utah Jazz can claim Rudy Gobert as their best defensive player, but probably not for much longer. The disgruntled..."/>
The J-Notes
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Three Mock Trades to Improve Utah’s Defense

By Jonah Kubicek

Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks (Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports)
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks (Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports) /
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The Jazz Could Make Magic Happen in Orlando

By moving young pieces around, the Jazz could make a productive deal for both teams. Yes, Utah would have to give up two project players in Jared Butler and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and take on the absurd Markelle Fultz contract, but Jordan Clarkson is worth letting go if it means adding a young and defensive-minded guard in Cole Anthony.

The Magic would be amenable to this trade because it means they can pair second-year shooting guard Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero with a tried-and-true point guard in Clarkson, and they could finally compete for a playoff spot in the East.

With some amount of luck, Fultz could bounce back, and despite his poor shooting numbers over his career, he is a pass-first guard who could help Utah’s woeful playmaking and feed the ball to Mitchell.

Of course, this trade doesn’t solve the problem of finding Gobert’s replacement, but Utah gets to hold onto their players above six foot eight, meaning they could develop a player or find a way to keep Gobert happy. It seems that one of his main gripes is not getting the ball enough, so adding two true point guards might give him some piece of mind and the Jazz could bounce back.

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