The Utah Jazz have pretty much everything in place to have their best season in years. It's actually not entirely clear what the ceiling of next year's team will be, but there are gaps they need to fill, and one of those gaps is a plus-defender on a team that doesn't have many of them. Cason Wallace fits that bill.
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale floated Wallace as one of the Jazz's targets this summer, singling out their need for defense.
"Quality on-ball perimeter defenders remain the Utah Jazz's biggest need. And after fast-tracking their timeline with the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, they should aim higher to address than they might've before.
"Cason Wallace doesn't seem at risk of becoming collateral damage if the Oklahoma City Thunder look to slash payroll. Then again, they have a ton of guards, and he's up for a contract extension. Matching his 2026-27 salary is no sweat, and Utah has enough picks left in the coffers to make a viable offer," Favale wrote.
The reigning champions might not want to do the Jazz any favors after the Jazz successfully kept the conditional pick they traded away in the Derrick Favors deal. However, they can't pay everyone and will have to begin cutting costs once this season is over.
Even though they lost Utah's pick, they still have two more coming in, so they won't have room for everyone. It's a good problem to have, but it's a problem they certainly can't avoid.
It's not a sure thing Wallace will be the sacrificial lamb, but he shouldn't be counted out.
Wallace is perfect for what the Jazz need
Wallace is definitely among the players who fit the label as a 3&D player. It didn't take long for the Thunder to start trusting him in their rotation. He's given them pretty amazing results just three years into his NBA career.
Now imagine that elite defense on the Jazz. For what it's worth, what makes Wallace a quality player goes beyond his shutdown defense. He is also a respectable three-point shooter, shooting 37.4% from distance for his career.
He wouldn't be a starter (unless he proves to be a good fit with the starters), but Wallace would give Utah the badly needed defense they would be looking for along the perimeter. Keep in mind that the Jazz will need more than just him to form a championship defense.
He would be added along with the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler. Utah may see some internal improvements, but adding more to make their defense a strength overall could be just what the doctor ordered.
For what it's worth, not only would Wallace make the Jazz a better team on defense, but he would bring them some well-needed championship experience.
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