NBA trade season is here and in full swing. For the Utah Jazz, there have been rumors surrounding Jordan Clarkson, Kelly Olynyk and Lauri Markkanen in recent weeks. When the Jazz went on a 6 game-win streak recently, it quelled some of the rumors and the notion of the Jazz being buyers, not sellers, at the deadline became more feasible.
However, after a 3 game-losing streak brought the weaknesses of this current team back to the forefront, one wonders if Danny Ainge should spend some of the massive draft cache he has to bring in someone who can help this team win, now.
The Atlanta Hawks have such a player, in guard Dejounte Murray who is currently paired in their backcourt with Trae Young.
Over the last 1.5 seasons, their pairing has failed to produce the synergy expected, as Atlanta struggled in 2022-23 to a 41-41 record that cost former coach Nate McMillan his job. This season, they are 18-25 and barely holding on to the 10 seed in the East, which could shift if Brooklyn or Toronto start winning at even a .400 clip.
Atlanta has explored trade talks with the LA Lakers for Murray. Still, they have reportedly balked at taking D'Angelo Russell in return from them. They are seeking a 3rd team to take Russell to facilitate a trade that reportedly includes Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 unprotected 1st round pick and another 1st rounder via a pick swap.
If this report is true, it seems like an absurdly low price for a player of Murray's value, and duplicates the Atlanta Hawks current issue - 2 players that are best suited to play point guard (Young, Murray).
This is where Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz can step in - proposing a better trade package and bumping the Lakers out of the conversation. Ainge can offer Atlanta a choice of multiple picks - Utah's own, or picks from Cleveland, Minnesota, or the LA Lakers to choose from in a trade package.
Atlanta also has been rumored to not want long-term salary back in a Murray trade. A 3-way deal involving the New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz could help in that regard:
Utah gets: Dejounte Murray
New York gets: Jordan Clarkson, Wesley Matthews
Atlanta gets: Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, a 2026 1st round pick from New York, and a 2027 1st round pick from Cleveland (via Utah).
Atlanta gets Fournier's deal, which they can get out of this summer, and Grimes, who is young and on a very affordable rookie scale contract and would soak up more off-guard minutes than he's currently getting in New York. Plus they get some decent draft picks. If Atlanta wants a Utah pick instead of Cleveland's or New York's, the Jazz can oblige.
The Jazz receives an in-his-prime star guard to pair with Lauri Markkanen, who would more than replace the scoring lost by moving Clarkson to New York. This would keep the Jazz in the playoff hunt this season, without a doubt.
The Knicks receive the scoring they are seeking off the bench in Clarkson, and getting rid of 2 players they no longer want in Grimes and Fournier. They also save salary in the long run, as Clarkson's deal drops next year to a manageable $14 million.
In all, each team gets something they want and doesn't do damage to where they are currently. If the Jazz want to get back into the playoff race, Danny Ainge needs to look at deals like this and swing for the fences, while a player of Murray's caliber is available. Let's hope this, or another comparable deal, is done to help the Jazz get back on track this season.