Grade the trade pitch: Jazz get an upgrade while ridding themselves of a problem
By Matt John
Here's something that will shock absolutely no one: there's been a trade proposal that would send Brandon Ingram to the Utah Jazz.
Ever since Ingram was floated as a possibility for the Jazz, there have been a few proposed trades that would send him to the Jazz. Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes proposed another trade that would send Ingram to Salt Lake, but there's more to it than that.
Hughes proposed the following deal between the Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans.
Jazz receive: Ingram
Pelicans receive: Walker Kessler & John Collins
Why the Jazz would acquire Ingram according to Hughes
Hughes explained why now is an opportune time for the Jazz to get Ingram.
"Utah is one of the few organizations with the right combination of characteristics to take on Ingram. For Danny Ainge and Co., Ingram could be a buy-low candidate worth keeping on an extension or a player whose value it rehabilitates ahead of a trade-deadline flip. The Jazz are flexible, don't need picks, and can afford to take chances other teams won't—on players exactly like Ingram."
While it's awesome to have a boatload of draft picks, it can indeed all be wasted if they don't turn into anything useful in the long run. Ingram has his warts, but he has proven himself a good player. The Jazz have to ask themselves if they can do better than Ingram.
Why the Jazz trade Kessler & Collins according to Hughes
Hughes also explained why the Jazz would be compelled to trade Kessler and Collins
"The Jazz benched Walker Kessler for chunks of last season and have no use for Collins or the remaining $53.2 million he's owed through 2025-26. They come out of this deal with a worst-case scenario of...more cap space in the summer of 2025."
It's been rumored for some time that the Jazz may trade Kessler, but it remains to be seen if that indicates that he's a problem. However, Collins and his contract certainly is a problem for the Jazz.
He's overpaid, and he doesn't fit their timeline. Ingram is around the same age, but at least, on paper, there is a possibility that he is a step in the right direction for Utah. Besides, Collins fits better on a team that needs a center like the Pelicans.
If the Jazz think Kessler isn't worth keeping around, they have the chance to get rid of Collins, and can get someone who could be another stepping stone to a winner, there's little reason to pass on this trade if it's ever offered to them.
Grade: A