Trading season technically starts any time after a team's season ended, so in the Utah Jazz's case, it started once the 2023-24 regular season ended. However, what really starts trading season is when recently signed free agents are eligible to be traded, i.e., December 15.
When that day comes, the trading game will be different for the Jazz as more players will be available. It'll be a while before that day comes, but it's never too early to speculate about trades.
With the trading season about to intensify, Sir Charles in Charge's Michael Saenz speculated who could be each NBA team's trade target. Obviously, the Jazz are mentioned in that regard, but two Jazzmen were also mentioned as targets for two separate teams: Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton.
In some trade scenarios, it's absolutely plausible that certain players could fit with certain teams, while with others, it's completely ridiculous. That is what makes trading season so fun, seeing how much fans value certain players compared to front offices.
With all of that out there, let's evaluate each Jazz-related trade target in Saenz's article.
1. Collin Sexton to the Nets
Saenz explained why the Nets may take an interest in Sexton.
"If (the Nets) were to make a 'buyer' move at the trade deadline, Collin Sexton could be one interesting potential target. With the Utah Jazz taking a step back this season, Sexton could be very much on the trade block. If he is, and the Jazz aren't valuing him, the Nets could take a flier on a player who has shown promise at the league guard position in the past," Saenz wrote.
Something that Saenz brings up beforehand is that the Nets are in no-man's land. Much like the Jazz have been for the past two seasons, no one knows what direction they're going in. For what it's worth, if they choose to go for a playoff run, Sexton makes a lot of sense and they have the contracts to make it work.
But would Sexton make sense while pairing him next to likes of score-first guards like Cam Thomas and Dennis Schroder? That's honestly not the Jazz's problem. If they can get an asset out of Sexton from the Nets while helping their cap flexibility long-term.
But it would all depend on what the Nets choose between now and the deadline.
Verdict: In a heartbeat (if the Nets are buyers)
2. Jordan Clarkson to the Bucks
Jazz fans are probably saying, "This again?"And the answer is, yes, this again. Clarkson has been mentioned as a trade target for the Bucks and has been involved in proposed trades that would send him to the Bucks. It's because it makes some sense.
Saenz explains as such.
"It may not be a perfect idea, but heading into the NBA Trade Deadline, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Bucks target a player like Jordan Clarkson. As a player who can come in, fill an immediate role, and help on the offensive end of the floor right away, there's reason to believe he could make sense as a potential target."
He's right, but the problem is, what are the Bucks trading to get him? The Bucks can't aggregate contracts in trades, and Clarkson makes more than Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton. So they'd have to trade Brook Lopez or Khris Middleton.
It might be a tall ask to request one of those guys for Clarkson. More teams would have to get involved, but would the Bucks really go the extra mile to add Clarkson? He would make sense if he was simply added to their current rotation. Everyone knows that it doesn't work like that.
Verdict: It's logical but hard to figure out how it'd work
3. Brandon Ingram to the Jazz
Ingram's been mentioned as a Jazz target before, but not in months. The Pelicans haven't fared too much better than the Jazz, which plays a part in why Saenz believes an Ingram to trade
"As the New Orleans Pelicans continue to spiral, it does seem as if there's a good chance they're going to revisit the Ingram trade inquiries. The Jazz are a team with the assets to get a deal done fairly quickly."
It's fair to believe Ingram will be traded if the Pelicans find a suitor for him, but because the Jazz have started in the hole that they're in, it makes little sense for them to add someone like Ingram, who could mess up their chances of getting a high-end lottery pick.
That's not to say that the Jazz might not look to add someone like Ingram in the offseason once he hits free agency in 2025. In a potential trade, it seems too late for the Jazz to really consider that.
Verdict: Not a chance.