Ranking the likelihood of 8 floated Jazz trade scenarios

In the most obvious statement made in 2024, the Utah Jazz will likely be sellers at the trade deadline. However, just because they might sell off some of their veterans doesn't mean that they'll trade all of them.

Trading season will intensify once December 15 rolls around, and when it does, expect Jazz rumors to explode. They may be sellers, but they also try to knock out two birds with one stone with adding young players who could fit into their future.

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale floated where the Jazz may send their players - they also floated three players that the Jazz could target - and while all of them make some sense, some of the eight scenarios make more sense than others.

1. Collin Sexton to the Hawks

It's been over two years since the Jazz acquired Sexton, and it's still unclear what they want to do with him. He probably should be on a team trying to win games at this stage of his career. Favale explained why Sexton would fit with the Hawks.

"Sexton, 25, is a Georgia native who's averaging 15.8 points, 3.1 assists, and shooting 44.4 percent from three this season. He regularly gives good effort on defense and could play alongside Young or Dyson Daniels."

Trading for Sexton would signify that the Hawks are trying to win, and even that's not really clear at the moment. Sexton would help the Hawks, but he and Young would be a very undersized backcourt. He can score, but he seems a little redundant on the Hawks' roster.

Likelihood: It's intriguing, but also hard to see the vision.

2. Patty Mills to the Celtics

With Isaiah Collier back, adding him to the guard rotation of Sexton, Keyonte George, and Jordan Clarkson, there isn't much of a place for Mills. Currently, but that could change if Sexton or Clarkson switch teams.

Favale briefly explained why the Celtics might look into him, writing "Mills brings 98 games of playoff experience to the defending champions."

Mills' appeal to Boston is that he could help them reduce their payroll with his contract. The Celtics have little used guard Jaden Springer along with other young players like Baylor Scheierman that they could stand to trade if they felt like it.

Likelihood: If the Celtics want to dump salary, this could absolutely happen!

3. Walker Kessler to the Bulls

Plenty of teams could use Kessler including ones that are rebuilding and ones that are trying to win now. Favale explained not really why the Bulls would go after Kessler, but more his appeal overall.

"Kessler, 23, was brought up in trade buzz this past summer and is averaging 9.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks a game for the Jazz."

Kessler's season has been limited with injury, but when he's played, he's looked more like his old self, and that's someone the Jazz will likely keep or at the very least, sell at a very high price. The Bulls don't exactly have the best future draft assets to offer.

Likelihood: A Kessler trade may happen, but he's not going to the Windy City.

4. John Collins to the Mavericks

Despite Collins' low value, he's played well enough to resurrect it a little. It may not be high enough for the Jazz to get a draft asset, but it might be high enough that they don't have to give up a draft asset for him. Favale explained why the Mavericks could take interest in him.

"Collins is thriving as a starter in Utah this season (20.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 41.7 percent from three) and would be a strong lob target for Dončić and Irving."

The Mavericks have been a little up-and-down this season (remember when the Jazz beat them?), so if they have the chance to get an upgrade in their frontcourt, that could help their chances of returning to the finals and then some.

Likelihood: It's doable, but it all depends on the Mavericks' desperation come February.

5. Drew Eubanks to the Pacers

Eubanks has been perfectly adequate for a backup center, but if the Jazz want to develop Kyle Filipowski, Eubanks might be as good as gone by the deadline. Luckily, there are teams that will want a backup center. Namely, the Pacers.

Favale didn't get into it much for this, only writing that, "Eubanks should be readily available by the 3-11 Jazz."

It's true, and the Pacers need some backup bigs after losing James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to Achilles tears. There isn't honestly much to explain there besides that it wouldn't surprise anyone if the Jazz and Pacers made a trade.

Likelihood: It makes sense, but there are plenty of backup bigs the Pacers could add.

6. Patty Mills to the Timberwolves

The Jazz added Mills because of his veteran presence in the locker room, but he has produced when they've called his name. So if teams like the Timberwolves inquire about him, the Jazz might entertain that to give him a shot at one more title. Favale explained why the Timberwolves would look into Mills.

"Mike Conley Jr. is struggling this season (7.5 points, 31.9 percent shooting overall), and with no reliable veteran point guard behind him, bringing in a player like Mills would give the team another ball-handler to help run the offense."

Like the Jazz alum, Mills' career is on its last legs, but he still has some juice. The Timberwolves made a major shakeup just before the season started. Conley's decline is not a welcome sight for a team trying to win a title. Mills may not be much better, but he might stop the bleeding.

Likelihood: If he's their best option out there, this definitely happens.

7. Drew Eubanks to the Knicks

Eubanks may actually have a market when the trade deadline rolls around because the Jazz don't have a ton of long-term use for him. The Knicks have had backup center issues since Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa have been out with injuries. That's nothing new for Robinson, and that can be a problem for New York. That's why Eubanks makes sense for them.

Again, Favale didn't elaborate much with Eubanks in this case either, noting that he is "making $5 million or less this season and are capable of handling rotation minutes behind Karl-Anthony Towns," like the other backup centers he floated.

Any playoff team in need of a backup center will likely inquire about Eubanks because of how cheap he is. The Knicks would only do this if they're unsure about Robinson's health moving forward.

Likelihood: See Eubanks and Pacers above.

8. Collin Sexton to the Spurs

Funny, this started with Sexton and it ends with Sexton. The Spurs are a young team but Victor Wembanyama's gargantuan impact is coming to the NBA sooner than later. They will also need competent players next to him in their next chapter.

Favale explains why Sexton appeals to them by using another player he floated as a Spurs target: Anfernee Simons, who plays a similar game to Sexton.

"Simons, 25, is a combo guard who can play next to (Chris) Paul or rookie Stephon Castle and brings three-level scoring to the table. Sexton also provides a similar skillset and can grow with the franchise."

Wembanyama is a one-man hurricane, but he'll need more offensive firepower. Sexton gives him that even if he's not a star. He deserves a chance to play for a team that has a very promising future ahead, and the Spurs could do just that for him.

Likelihood: They could definitely reach a deal depending on the Spurs' offer.