Trade rumors are starting to heat up during a time in which it is absolutely not a coincidence. On December 15, players who signed with their current teams as unrestricted free agents during the offseason are eligible to be traded. Of course, this applies to the Utah Jazz.
Rumors have popped up left and right for the Jazz, naming specific players like Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Walker Kessler. When the Jazz's free agent additions are also eligible, that could certainly change how trade conversations may go, as interested partners may want them.
But who are they exactly?
1. Drew Eubanks
Out of all the players that the Jazz signed during the offseason, Eubanks has played the biggest role. Eubanks came to Utah with the reputation for being one of the league's better-known backup fives, and he's only continued that this season.
Appearing in almost every game for the Jazz this season, Eubanks has averaged a modest 4.5 points, four rebounds, and 0.7 blocks a game. He's giving the Jazz their money's worth and they didn't pay much for him.
However, John Collins has returned to form this season, as has Walker Kessler. Lauri Markkanen looks more and more like Lauri Markkanen, and Kyle Filipowski has played well enough to deserve more playing time. Eubanks may be the odd man out not too long from now.
His cheap contract should make him easier to trade, but who's to say that the Jazz might not keep him around in case they *hypothetically* decide to give Markkanen some rest throughout the season.
2. Patty Mills
Mills hasn't shown up much for the Jazz this season. He has played when they've been undermanned, but for understandable reasons, they've tried to see what they have Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier. Now that they've sent Collier down to the G-League, Mills might see more time on the floor.
He's not the player he once was, but Mills has at times given the Jazz some stellar shooting, although he has not done that consistently. Utah brought him in because they believed he would be a good locker room presence. He may very well be, and that might keep him around, but if a team wants his services, the Jazz have little reason to say no.
3. Svi Mykhailiuk
Mykhailiuk is an NBA Champion and provides spacing with size. The Jazz have hardly utilized him, which would make one think that their plan with him is to add him in any potential trade to make salaries match.
Or, alternatively, the Jazz wanted to see what they had in some of their young players, and now that they know that some aren't ready, they'll give Mykahiliuk an expanded role in the coming weeks. Either way, odds are he won't be in Utah for long, whether if that's by this coming February or by this coming June.