Utah Jazz receive: F Davis Bertans, F Troy Murphy III
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Devonte’ Graham, F/C Larry Nance Jr.
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Mike Conley
Here, the Utah Jazz are forced to absorb one larger veteran contract instead of two smaller ones. They’re going to have to take some money back in sending out Mike Conley’s annual salary of $22.6 million. Bertans’ deal should be easier to move than both Graham and Nance Jr.’s.
They’re still getting their 21-year-old 3-and-D wing. They might look to move Bertans immediately to a team in need of frontcourt floor-spacing. They could also just let him sit at the end of the bench. He’s basically immaterial to the Jazz in this scenario.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks shore up some bench depth. It’s difficult to say whether they’ll want Graham. Jalen Brunson is due for a contract extension this season. If the Mavericks are the team to offer it to him, they may not be interested in a similar-but-lesser player in Graham.
They still have options here. They could move Graham separately or just play a guard-heavy lineup. Alternatively, they may see Graham as a discounted version of Brunson if he garners a deal they don’t want to match on the open market.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Spurs-Pelicans Trade Sends Doug McDermott To New Orleans
We don’t need to justify the New Orleans Pelicans here. They’re getting a high-quality point guard in order to gear up for a deep postseason run. It might be the only chance they have to keep this talented young core intact.
