With that December 15 date rolling around, it's no surprise that trade rumors are starting to blow up, especially with the Utah Jazz. Plenty of those around the NBA are reporting which Jazz players are available. However, until now, they haven't revealed who is more available than others.
Multiple NBA reporters have mentioned Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Walker Kessler in the trade rumor mill. Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus named all of them, plus Drew Eubanks, as players the Jazz could trade away while commenting on where Clarkson and Sexton compare regarding availability.
"Sources suggest Clarkson is more available than Sexton, but Utah's not married to either," Pincus wrote.
Pincus' reporting makes sense in this case. Clarkson is older than Sexton, so he makes less sense on a team that will embrace the lottery. Sexton has come along quite nicely for the Jazz, but there's no telling what they plan to do with him.
Clarkson's availability may impact what the Jazz could get back for him
For the last two years, the writing's been on the wall that Clarkson's days with the Jazz were numbered once they blew up their squad. Yet, no trade has ever materialized. Sure, they've gauged the market for him, but no one's ever bitten.
So much time has passed that it might not even be about getting assets for him now. Rather, it might be about just getting rid of him, period. Clarkson is still good at what he does, and he's one of the best at what he does as a bench scorer.
That's why he makes more sense on aspiring playoff contender like the Nuggets or the Clippers. The fact that he's more available than Sexton may demonstrate just how serious the Jazz are about getting rid of him by any means.
That shouldn't be interpreted as the Jazz take issues with Clarkson because it's been a mutually beneficial relationship between the two sides. It's just a situation where it seems both sides know they're better off splitting.
That also may imply what the difference is between Clarkson and Sexton value-wise. Because Clarkson has more miles on his tires, interested suitors may not have to pay too much for him. Sexton's in a different boat because he's younger and more efficient than Clarkson is.
The Jazz should very much be involved in trade rumors from now until February. For all we know, Sexton will be on a new team while Clarkson will stick around, but since there's a better idea of what their values are, the explanation for why that scenario came to fruition won't be surprising.