The Utah Jazz have a few players that could definitely help other teams' chance of a playoff run. The Los Angeles Lakers are desperate to improve their current standing to go on a title run. Could the two sides agree to a deal?
Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus singled out Jazz players' Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler as two players the Lakers could target.
He explained why the Jazz could make a deal, but also why they could stand to take advantage of the Lakers.
"The Jazz are rebuilding but may be willing to part with Kessler in the right deal. While Utah may be more willing to part with Jordan Clarkson, Sexton might be available (for a heftier price).
"Utah, like Portland, has no compelling reason to make a deal. The franchise should be greedy in negotiations with the Lakers, who are under significant pressure to improve immediately."
Pincus explained the pros of potentially acquiring Kessler and Sexton.
"Kessler is inexpensive, young and fills a significant need at center. Sexton, almost 26, averaged 18.7 points and 4.9 assists last season, shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range."
He also explained the cons that would come from acquiring them.
"Sexton isn't as strong a defender as (Marcus) Smart (another target Pincus brings up). The price to get both from the Jazz (in terms of picks) may be prohibitive."
He even listed Jordan Clarkson, a Lakers alum, as an alternative in case Sexton and Kessler are out of the question.
This is not the first time they've been floated as Lakers trade targets
Kessler and Sexton being floated as potential Lakers targets isn't even the first time this notion has been mentioned in the last week. Lake Show Life's Maxwell Ogden brought up such sentiment before Pincus did.
Without regurgitating what's already been said, the point remains that Sexton and Kessler are useful players that would absolutely help a playoff team if given the chance, even if neither fit the classic mold of a star.
This all points to the fact that the Jazz have valuable assets on the team, even if those assets haven't helped Utah gain much ground for the past two seasons. If the opportunity presents itself, the Jazz might have to think about this, but only if they get something they really want in return.
The Lakers are running low on trade assets, which is what makes what they possess all the more attractive knowing LeBron's retirement inches closer and closer with each passing day. Since the Jazz don't have much to lose by keeping Kessler and Sexton on the roster, they have all the leverage in a potential deal since the Lakers have everything to lose.
And if there's one executive who is well-aware of this and loves getting into a staring contest in trade discussions, it's Danny Ainge.