Ranking the Utah Jazz's top 10 trade assets heading into the offseason

Ranking the Utah Jazz’s top 10 trade assets heading into the offseason

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 23: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game at Vivint Arena on February 28, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz. /

9. The sign-and-trade candidates: Jordan Clarkson, Rudy Gay, Talen Horton-Tucker

There are three players on the Utah Jazz roster who will have to make decisions about their futures in free agency. Jordan Clarkson, Rudy Gay, and Talen Horton-Tucker each have player options for next season. While they could each return to the team, I find that unlikely. Especially considering that the Jazz is in the very early stages of a rebuild. In the event that any one of these players wanted to play elsewhere, the Jazz could work a sign-and-trade.

While that doesn’t equate to great trade value, it could be worth it for the Jazz if they could add another draft asset (which is generally the case when it comes to sign-and-trade deals in the NBA). The big, or main, trade asset here for the Jazz is Clarkson. If he wants to play for a contender that may not have cap space, a sign-and-trade is probably the best way to get a deal done.

And that’s where Utah can take advantage. Again, the Jazz isn’t likely to clean up with any sign-and-trade deal, but even adding a second-round pick or two for a player that was probably leaving anyway is a huge win.