There's been so much speculation about who the Utah Jazz will trade at the deadline. The usual suspects have been named more than enough times, but one that doesn't get mentioned - even though he makes sense - is Drew Eubanks.
Eubanks has been solid for the Jazz as their backup center. His presence has been useful when some of the Jazz's bigs, like Lauri Markkanen and John Collins, have been out for extended periods. However, the one thing the Jazz can't afford is having him interfere with Walker Kessler and Kyle Filipowski.
They won't lose much sleep if Eubanks ultimately stays, but if they get a good offer for him, they should take it without question. With that in mind, ESPN's Bobby Marks proposed a trade that would send Eubanks to the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets could certainly use a quality backup five, but this trade in question is certainly worth pondering.
Nuggets receive: Eubanks, 2031 second-round pick
Jazz receive: Zeke Nnaji, Right to swap first-rounders in 2031 (top-2 protected)
Marks did not elaborate on why Utah would agree to this trade. The Jazz would get something out of a player one would least suspect they'd get an asset out of in Eubanks. However, the deal comes with the caveat of paying Nnaji likely the rest of his four-year deal worth $32 million, which he only just started.
Is it worth absorbing an albatross contract for an asset?
The Nuggets would likely do this deal in a heartbeat because they get cap flexibility and an upgrade during their championship window. With the Jazz, it's actually a little tough to say. As nice as it is to have another valuable pick, Nnaji eats into their cap space.
Maybe a flyer on Nnaji wouldn't hurt, but he hasn't proven anything in the NBA. He'd be in a pressure-free environment in Utah, which he could certainly use. If the Jazz got him, the bar would be set very low. Besides, in the tanking game, accepting a contract like Nnaji's is not too bad. Of course, he isn't the main asset coming back.
The Jazz just got their hands on a golden asset for three expendable ones from the Phoenix Suns. That trade signified that Utah doesn't want just more draft capital, but they want the best draft capital. By the time that pick swap comes into effect, Nikola Jokic will have completed Year 16. Who knows how effective he will be by then?
Plus, by then, the Jazz will probably be aspiring for the postseason at the very least. Even if Nnaji wouldn't be easy to swallow on their payroll at first, he could also be used as contract fodder to dangle down the line when the Jazz start intentionally winning games.
This wouldn't be nearly as golden as that Suns trade, but it's another long-game trade, and the guy Utah would be sending out is their backup center. If Utah is looking for Eubanks-centered trades and wants the best, this isn't too shabby.
Grade: B+