The 2026 NBA Offseason has been a wild and crazy one thus far. With LeBron James' decision out of the way, the rest of the teams will now get their rosters filled in advance of training camps opening in late September.
And with those moves, players will become available who could be valuable to any team, including our own Utah Jazz. Even though they have a full roster at the moment (15 players), a big man addition to shore up the rotation is always on the table for Danny and Austin Ainge.
Here are four players the Jazz could acquire to replace the void that Walker Kessler's departure left at the center spot:
Jay Huff, Indiana Pacers
Huff has played for five teams in five seasons. But as a big that can score from outside and block shots at a decent rate (1.9 per game in 2025-26), he would help fill the hole in Utah left by Walker Kessler's departure.
Platooning the center position with Jusuf Nurkic, Huff would see about 20-25 minutes a night and stretch the floor for Keyonte George and Darryn Peterson's drives to the basket.
Kel'el Ware, Milwaukee Bucks
Ware was moved from Miami to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. And while he would get a decent role in Milwaukee, he wouldn't be the starter, as Myles Turner occupies that spot currently.
Milwaukee does not control its own first-round picks until 2031. And they are in the throes of a rebuild, which means they need draft picks, and a lot of them. Utah can help them if they're willing to give up Ware.
Giving up at least one of the Jazz's own picks plus one of the Cleveland/Minnesota ones, or perhaps the 2031 Lakers pick, would get Milwaukee to the table. Sending out Kyle Filipowski for Ware would likely get the deal done.
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
Having a big like Jarrett Allen would more than make up for losing Walker Kessler for the Jazz. And with a contract that runs for the next three seasons with no player or team options, it would give the Jazz time to grow their core with him.
Allen's name came up in rumors already this offseason (though he's not currently available), so there could be an opening for Utah to acquire him. It would take some cap gymnastics to do so and might have to happen in early October, but it is doable.
Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams, and Jusuf Nurkic would all be on the move here for Allen in a mock trade.
Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks
Gafford has been expendable for a while in Dallas, even on a team with oft-injured big men. And with the Mavericks in full rebuild mode, moving him for assets makes sense.
Gafford would be more affordable than Allen, which might make this a better move for the Jazz. He can play some four as needed, which would be interesting with Jaren Jackson Jr. alongside him in strong defensive lineups.
It would take several players to make the salaries work. With Dereck Lively II set to return for 2026-27, Dallas will need to make room in the lineup, and Gafford is the likely one to see the door, thus opening the door for a trade to Utah.
For the record, it doesn't have to be limited to these four. Who else do you think the Jazz should go after?
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