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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Adam Silver at the NBA Draft (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2. 9th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft (projected)

At least at the moment, because it’s somewhat locked in, the second-best trade asset that the Utah Jazz currently have is their top 10 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. It’s right now slated to be No. 9 overall but could still move up depending on what happens in the NBA Draft Lottery. In what appears to be a top-heavy NBA Draft, the expectation is that the Jazz should be able to get a really good player with this pick.

So if the Jazz wanted to trade this pick, they would be able to get quite the haul from any team looking to jump into the top 10 of this year’s NBA Draft. And if it does move up in the draft lottery, the value of this pick will only get better. At the same rate, I suppose there’s also a small chance that it moves out of the top 10. But that’s quite unlikely.

In fact, you can argue that a top-10 pick in this year’s NBA Draft might be enough to land a disgruntled star such as OG Anunoby. I’m not saying that’s a player the Jazz should target with this pick, but that’s an example of how valuable that pick could theoretically be.