3 All-Stars the Utah Jazz must target if made available in trade talks
By Jared Koch
There could be a few players on the market around the league this off-season that could be a great fit for the Utah Jazz.
With the collection of cap flexibility, valuable, young players, and a multitude of picks, the Jazz could be ready to make an offseason splash as early as one year into the rebuild. If the opportunity presents itself, we may see Danny Ainge be aggressive to acquire talent.
Many teams around the league could also be looking to be aggressive this season, but with a different mindset to tear down rather than to build the roster better. This could prove to be the perfect chance for Utah to make a move in the next few months.
While not all of these players may not go on the trade block or looked to be moved, there’s at least a small chance for these guys to be available if their respective team decides to change directions.
Here are three players the Jazz should look into trading for if they’re made available:
1. The Utah Jazz should make a move for Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam.
The Raptors enter this offseason with many projecting an overhaul for the 2023-24 season. If this is indeed the case, the Jazz should use this opportunity to acquire the former 2x All-Star big man.
Siakam is coming off this last season averaging some of the best numbers of his career. He put up a career-high average in points per game at 24.2, complimenting it with 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game as well. Considering the Jazz’s hole at PF, Siakam could easily slide into the current lineup between Markkanen and Kessler to create one of the best frontcourt groups in the NBA.
Contractually, Siakam will enter next season on the last year of his contract, due about $37.8 million. Considering that, Siakam entering his age-30 season, as well as the current state of the Raptors, Siakam’s value could be lower than you think.
Here’s a mock-up of the potential framework of a Pascal Siakam to Utah deal.
This would effectively give the Raptors a fresh start for a retool, filling a need at guard with two young players at the position and two first-round picks. For the Jazz, this gives them a great frontcourt trio to enter next season with and the opportunity to still use two first-rounders for themselves (possibly to fill a need at point guard).
While Siakam isn’t the best fit for the Jazz’s current timeline, he can provide a high floor for a rebuilding Jazz team to elevate their status for the upcoming year.