The Utah Jazz will enter the offseason with some choices to make. Granted, there isn't a ton of urgency for them to do anything drastic, but some notable decisions lie ahead.
Among them is deciding what to do with Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. There isn't much of a problem with how either Sexton or Clarkson has performed in Utah. What's come into question is whether it's in the Jazz's best interest to keep either of them.
This has been more the case for Clarkson than for Sexton, because the former is already in his 30s and has only a few years of his prime left. The latter is still in his mid-20s and is still young enough for one to believe the best is yet to come from him. In other words, one can defend keeping Sexton from a talent standpoint, but not so much with Clarkson.
Now, both will head into the offseason on expiring contracts. There haven't been any reports of what the Jazz plan to do with them, but that should change in the next little while, whether it's in the next few weeks or the next few months.
Clarkson gave some brutally honest but respectful words on what he wants going forward, because he knows someone like him probably isn't best suited for the Jazz, though he made it clear that he is still loyal to Utah.
Sexton didn't exactly have the same sentiment. In fact, he even said during his postgame press conference that he wants to stay a Jazzman through and through. However, it's easier for him because, like the Jazz, he can afford to be patient because of how young he is.
One key problem with keeping both Sexton and Clarkson is the fact that their skillsets overlap as score-first guards. Sexton is younger and more consistent, but Clarkson has experience with good playoff teams. They may not trade both away, but there wouldn't be sense in keeping both either,
It's not a shoo-in that either will be traded, but if the Jazz put them on the market, there's something else to consider.
How Clarkson's and Sexton's trade availability is different this offseason
Clarkson and Sexton have been mentioned in trade speculation for some time now. However, reading the tea leaves from what happened before the trade deadline passed, there wasn't much interest in either of them from anyone.
Perhaps because of the length of their contracts, teams weren't interested in adding them due to how it would affect their cap flexibility at the time. However, now that they're on expiring contracts, there might be more interest in them. Interested suitors may have their eye on them because of what they can do on the court and because they won't hurt their payroll long-term.
That could help the Jazz acquire some assets, but it would also hinge on what they want to do. They could run it back with the guard duo, but it feels like if there's one thing they can't do, it's let them walk for nothing.
Really, it wouldn't be surprising if it comes down to two options for the Jazz: extend them or trade them. Keeping them feels like the worst decision.