Jazz missed golden opportunity to improve themselves at deadline

When the Utah Jazz traded for Jaren Jackson Jr., they signaled that they were already getting a head start on next season. Sure, they were right in the middle of their tank, but it was confirmation that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Jazz fans have every reason to be excited for the vision, but was it out of the question to add more?

Okay, okay. That sounds super entitled after the miracle Utah pulled off at deadline, and to be perfectly fair, JJJ proved in his limited time that he was exactly what the doctor ordered. But with the opportunity at hand at the deadline, it's clear a month later that the Jazz missed their chance to get someone who could have really helped them: Jared McCain.

The JJJ trade certainly shocked the masses when it was first confirmed, but when the dust settled, everyone understood both sides of it. You can't say the same about when Philadelphia straight up handed McCain over to Oklahoma City.

McCain was having a sophomore slump directly after his promising rookie season was tragically cut short by a meniscus tear. But giving up on him a year and half into his NBA career? More importantly, trading him to the Thunder for nothing?!

Maybe Daryl Morey didn't want other NBA teams to know he was available, but with how he's played since the trade, it feels like the Jazz missed out.

McCain could have given the Jazz cheap production

McCain has taken no time to rewrite the narrative on him since joining the Thunder. In 14 games with the Thunder, he's averaging nearly 12 points while shooting 47.5% from the field and 43.3% from three in just 19.1 minutes a game.

The numbers match the eye test, too. McCain looks like a diamond in the rough. Add him to OKC's collection.

If only the Jazz could have gotten him for nothing like the reigning NBA Champions did. Now, he likely wouldn't be putting up the numbers with the Jazz that he has been with the Thunder (it's likely he'd be getting the same treatment Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George have), but next season, he definitely could have given these kind of numbers to them.

McCain likely won't turn into an All-Star, but he has provne himself as a difference maker to a team that were stocked fill of them on the Thunder. That's the kind of player the Jazz could have used for next season and beyond.

You can't win them all, as they say, and to some extent, no one knew McCain would look this good after how he fared in his second year with the Sixers, but he was the buy-low candidate that would have made perfect sense for Utah.

While that chance is gone, don't be surprised fi Utah inquires when the next McCain-esque situation happens.