Kevin Durant wearing a Utah Jazz uniform can basically be summarized as "I'll take 500 on things NBA fans think would never happen, Alex." However, no matter how unlikely such a union would occur, the Jazz apparently are looking into it. Maybe, somewhat. If they're serious about it, they actually would have a pretty good offer revolving around one particular asset: their upcoming lottery pick.
The Ringer's Michael Pina named the Jazz among the many teams that have some interest in Durant (it actually might have been easier to name the ones that aren't).
"The Heat, Timberwolves, Blazers, Mavericks, Pistons, Knicks, Raptors, Hawks, Magic, Lakers, Nuggets, Hornets, Bulls, Wizards, Warriors, Pacers, Jazz, Sixers, Celtics, Cavaliers, Bucks, and Clippers would all have varying degrees of interest—pending how the rest of these playoffs go."
So if Durant hits the market again, the Jazz just might inquire about him. It sounds a little drastic, as Utah is good where they are, but Durant could be the one who pushed their jumbosized lineup over the top. What could make a Jazz offer appealing to the Rockets is the amount of assets they still have at their disposal, centered around their upcoming lottery pick.
If the Jazz fall in the lottery, a Durant deal would make more sense
This has been brought up before. This is a loaded draft that even if the worst-case scenario happens to Utah - the picking falling to No. 8 - the prevailing sentiment is that they would still get a good prospect out of it.
However, they could also dangle it to the Rockets in a Durant deal, along with other Jazz youngsters, if Houston wants to get younger. To be fair, Durant has failed for reasons out of everyone's control. Fred VanVleet's and Steven Adams' injuries pretty much sealed their fate as a team. However, he only has so much time left, and the Rockets looked pretty promising before they got him.
Utah will also be under the cap, so they can execute a sign-and-trade involving someone like Jusuf Nurkic or Kevin Love for $13-$18 million, along with John Konchar and other youngsters (excluding Keyonte George and Ace Bailey!), along with potentially a No. 6 to No. 8 pick to get Durant.
Now, if the Jazz hit it big in the lottery - fat chance knowing their history - then they may steer clear of Durant, but if they fall, they could take serious advantage of it should Durant hit the market.
It's certainly plausible and would make the Jazz tougher to beat. Currently, labeling the Jazz a title contender is off the table until their current roster proves it on the court. However, with Durant added to that squad, being among the best of the best in the NBA would be inarguable.
But it would all tie back to A. if Durant hits the trade market again and B. if the Jazz don't get so lucky in the lottery. Ironically, if that happens, both sides may get lucky should they join forces.
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