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.
2. The Utah Jazz should deal for Bulls’ guard Zach LaVine if made available.
The Bulls are one of the few teams that could decide to blow it up this off-season. After two years of an unsuccessful core, it would probably be the right decision to reset the team for young players and draft assets.
Zach LaVine could be the perfect scoring guard to complement the current Jazz team, and they may just have the assets to be able to take him on.
Here’s a possible mock deal that sends Zach LaVine to Utah.
In this trade, the Bulls get two productive guards under the age of 25, one being a lottery pick just last year, along with two first-round picks, one being this year. While this could be considered a smaller-than-expected return for LaVine, considering the contract the Jazz would have to eat ($178m/4) this could end up being a reasonable deal.
It’s a hefty contract for the Jazz to take on, but the Jazz can afford it. They enter this offseason with over $30 million, add that to also offloading Collin Sexton’s multi-year contract, and this works for Utah money-wise.
After coming off his 5th straight season averaging over 20 points per game for the Bulls, he could be the perfect scoring guard to add to Utah.
3. The Utah Jazz should be calling the Celtics about a trade for Jaylen Brown.
Not only the biggest star on this list but the best. If the Jazz can put together an ample trade package for Brown, they should absolutely be trying to deal for him.
While there hasn’t been a huge willingness on the Celtics’ side to deal Brown, a potential disappointment in this year’s playoffs could possibly push Brad Stevens to make a big move in the offseason. Considering the connection Boston has with Danny Ainge and the Jazz being in the opposite conference, Utah could potentially be a primary landing spot for Jaylen.
Brown will be entering a crucial contract year and with the potential to leave Boston in 2024-25, the Celtics might look to capitalize on his value now. If the Jazz are able to deal for Brown and resign him to a long-term deal, this could be a potential home run deal if the scenario plays out well.
Here’s a mock package put together to send Brown to the Jazz.
The Celtics are able to recoup another young All-Star to replace Brown, two young players to add to their bench depth, added with a lottery pick this year, as well as a future pick. The Jazz can add a 26-year-old All-Star that finally gets a chance to be the first option on a team.
Brown this season posted averages of 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. If he’s able to put up numbers like this on a regular basis as a second option, imagine what he could do as the number one guy for a franchise.