When many criticized the Utah Jazz for not picking a lane after blowing up their squad in 2022, they finally picked one: rebuilding. If they acquired a decorated star, they would change direction, which may be a good thing, but it would depend on who they're trading away and they're getting. In the trade proposal below, this star the Jazz would acquire would be divisive if they pulled it off.
Sports Illustrated's Rohan Raman proposed a three-way trade between the Jazz, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks in which the Jazz would send out Collin Sexton and John Collins for one of the NBA's best centers.
He proposed the following deal.
Hawks Receive: Keegan Murray
Kings Receive: Collins, Sexton, Georges Niang, Kobe Bufkin, 2025 1st round pick (via SAC, from ATL, #13), 2025 1st round pick (via MIN, from UTA, #21)
Jazz Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Rohan explained why the Jazz would do this deal, besides the fact that they're not giving up all that much. He specifically singled out how Kessler and Sabonis could work together.
"They're getting an All-NBA center who can be an offensive hub due to his passing and shooting abilities... (Walker) Kessler can make up for some of Sabonis' deficiencies in rim protection while Sabonis has the shooting necessary to stretch the floor as a PF. Although they may not be a playoff team in Year 1, Sabonis has the talent necessary to push the Jazz into the play-in next year and get them back into competing for postseason berths."
Raman also gave a valid explanation for why they wouldn't want Sabonis, primarily singling out his defensive issues, his teams haven't won anything, and the Jazz would be committed to him for three years.
Sabonis is a fantastic player, albeit not an elite one. In the right situation, getting him for players on expiring contracts while only surrendering one draft pick could be a steal. Acquiring him would signal that the Jazz want to win, which the fanbase has been starving for quite some time now. Trading him could lead to acquiring more win-now veterans or potentially stars.
For what it's worth, the Kings wanted Collins at the deadline, but that fell apart because of De'Aaron Fox. More importantly, they wanted Collins to fortify the team, not to start over like they would if they made this deal.
This trade has the right idea, but has the wrong star
If the Jazz can add a star for seemingly little, it wouldn't be the worst idea to try it out, but it would depend on the star. Sabonis could be a fantastic fit on a winner, but it would be hard to see why the Jazz would want him.
Sabonis creates a logjam in the frontcourt with Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and Kyle Filipowski. The only good defender in that crew is Kessler. Plus, despite what Sabonis can do offensively, he may only clog up their spacing, and his defensive inadequacies may only worsen the Jazz on that front.
If the Jazz truly want to add some help this summer, their focus should be on defensive personnel. Even with Kessler, the Jazz's defense is quite lousy. Adding more defenders like a Jrue Holiday-type (he might be too pricey for the Jazz) would help more.
If the Jazz have the chance to get a star for cheap, they should take it. Sabonis just isn't it.
Grade: C