The Utah Jazz have certainly been active at the trade deadline, but not in the way people thought they would. Sure, the Drew Eubanks trade isn't that shocking, but sacrificing some of their draft capital for potentially better draft capital and helping orchestrate the Luka Doncic trade were certainly moves no one saw coming.
Well, it might be par for the course because it appears the Jazz got involved in something else earlier this season that might be a little puzzling. Though it appears to have gone nowhere, it may hint more at the Jazz's intentions at the trade deadline.
Grant Afseth reported that the Jazz were involved in trade talks where they would acquire... Caris LeVert?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are motivated to find a wing upgrade, with Caris LeVert as a common part of frameworks.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 5, 2025
Atlanta Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter is a trade target to watch.
Cleveland talked with other teams, earlier this season, including the Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz.
LeVert would be an odd addition to the Jazz because he's a veteran with no place on a team like the Jazz. More than that, Jordan Clarkson does many of the same things LeVert does when he's on the floor. While redundancy isn't always bad, it is in this case when adding it to a tanking team.
However, if a first-round pick were involved, the Jazz might be more than happy to help with a deal. Better yet, they could then dangle LeVert to the highest bidder on the trade market. The Jazz are doing this somewhat with PJ Tucker, though the highest bidder would not be motivated by what Tucker brings to the team but by how he helps their payroll.
The Jazz's timeline makes it so that they can acquire pretty much anyone
Again, trading for LeVert would be puzzling, but as long as the Jazz get something else that would help their future in a deal, they would take it, though it would all depend on the compensation. They can do this because they can afford to.
Because the Jazz's focus is on tanking, they can acquire pretty much any player they want and will do so if they get something good in return or as part of the return. They have absolutely nothing to lose at this point, and they're not the only ones who can do this.
The only team worse than them, the Washington Wizards, just traded Kyle Kuzma for Khris Middleton. There's an argument to be made that Middleton's better than Kuzma, so the Wizards may or may not hold a bidding war for him either not too long from now. They even have some assets like AJ Johnson from Milwaukee, and they can potentially get more soon enough if they trade Middleton away.
The Jazz could absolutely do the same thing. If it ensures a better future tomorrow, bring on all the Caris LeVerts!