The Utah Jazz are heading into next season with the hope of significantly improving. They have built out a pretty solid roster of young guys and win-now talent, and now, it’s finally time to start putting the pieces together. However, losing Walker Kessler has put their center rotation in a weird spot, and they could use a new face at the five.
Maybe a trade for Steven Adams could make some sense for them. If Adams is healthy and the Houston Rockets are interested in moving him by the deadline, he could fit in nicely with the Jazz. Utah’s roster has a ton of talent; it just needs to round out the edges, and bringing Adams in to play the center spot could seriously help with that.
If Adams proves to be healthy enough to be a trade candidate, the Jazz should jump at the chance to bring him in next season.
Jazz should consider a Steven Adams trade next year
Houston may not want to trade Adams. If he’s healthy, Ime Udoka may rather keep him around and roll out double-big lineups with Adams and Alperen Sengun at the four and five.
But what if the Rockets struggle? They flamed out of the playoffs last year, and it’s not impossible they have a rough regular season. Or, they could want to clear up some space to make other moves.
Utah has a TPE big enough to take in Adams’ contract, so they could trade for him without having to send any salary Houston’s way. Or, they could give the Rockets some assets they may prefer.
Right now, in the post-Kessler trade world, the Jazz just don’t have enough center depth on the roster. It’s something they’ll have to address if they want to compete for a playoff spot.
The Jazz only have three true centers on the roster right now: Jusuf Nurkic, Jaxson Hayes, and Mo Bamba. That rotation just isn’t good enough to get them to the postseason.
Adams would bring a perfect presence to that room. He’s an elite rebounder – especially on the offensive end of the floor – and his defense would be a big-time upgrade.
He even has experience playing next to Jaren Jackson Jr. from their time with the Memphis Grizzlies. The fit is there, and Adams could be a very intriguing trade candidate.
Everything would have to fall into place on both sides – the Jazz’s and the Rockets’ – but a trade for Adams could help Utah push for the postseason in the right scenario next year.
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