It's been well-established that Jordan Clarkson doesn't have much trade value at the moment. The latest intel on the former Sixth Man of the Year is that the Utah Jazz's price for him is second-round compensation. In other words, it's, "Here, take him."
Because the Jazz don't have much use for him long-term, and his contract isn't too expensive nor stretches on for too long, it makes perfect sense for him to find a new team. If there's one team that makes sense for Clarkson, it's the Orlando Magic.
ESPN floated Clarkson as a target for the Magic, which makes a ton of sense. For all the progress the Magic have made, and they've continued to be one of the league's most impressive teams, their lack of scoring will be a major hindrance come playoff time if they don't address it at the deadline.
That's why they make sense as trade partners. The Magic are holding steady despite having to go through a lot of the season without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Adding some insurance like Clarkson could go in a long way in helping them secure homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
However, if the Magic are serious about Clarkson in the coming weeks, that could potentially drive up the price for him. The Magic are the one team who could use him more than anyone in the NBA, but that doesn't mean other teams won't.
Clarkson is one of the NBA's very best bench scorers, and he wouldn't cost too much. Should the Magic inquire about him, the Jazz could use the their interest to potentially get more for him in a trade because there aren't that many players like him who could help a team reach another level as their missing piece.
As the trade deadline inches closer and closer, teams may become more desperate to add guys who will fit like a glove. Currently, there doesn't seem to be a bidding war on Clarkson, but that can change once teams get a better idea of where things are going in February.
And if there's one executive who knows how to extrapolate the most value out of the players he's dangling, it's Danny Ainge. But there's a problem.
What continues to hurt Clarkson's trade value
Clarkson's biggest issue as a trade asset continues to be his nagging injuries. Unfortunately, it appears as though Clarkson isn't the iron man he once was. During his younger days, Clarkson has been able to stay on the court, but his availability has been iffy since 2022, and that's only continued to be a problem this season.
Having missed 13 games, Clarkson has played in almost 63% of the Jazz's season, which might be a turnoff for potential suitors. If that's not enough, he'll be re-evaluated in two weeks as his nagging plantar fascia continues to keep him out.
If the Jazz want to build up Clarkson's trade value, his absences continue to weigh them down in doing so.