The Utah Jazz are open for business ahead of the midseason NBA trade deadline. There is no shortage of potential deals that could take place as the team continues to progress in a rebuilding effort.
There wasn’t a more active team in the offseason than the Jazz. They moved on from two All-Stars, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. After a strong start to the season that caught many by surprise, the Jazz have sunk back to reality. They went from a 10-3 start to holding a 24-25 record.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Utah Jazz are open to trading any player on their roster outside of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler ahead of the midseason deadline.
The Jazz are expected to take forward Lauri Markkanen and center Walker Kessler out of the mix, but will listen to proposals involving anyone else. Markkanen is in the midst of a breakout season, and Kessler has had an impressive rookie season.
There has been reporting about the Jazz’s willingness to part with veterans like Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, Rudy Gay, and Kelly Olynyk, given the nature of their contracts potentially expiring after the season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz, Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, Rudy Gay, & Kelly Olynyk Updates
The Jazz face a situation where Jarred Vanderbilt is likely at his best as a small ball center option, but they have Kessler and Olynyk on the roster. Moving on from Olynyk would be the most advantageous option from an asset management standpoint.
There has been highly reported interest in the Jazz to get a contract extension done with Jordan Clarkson. Many have said that governor Ryan Smith is a big fan of the volume scorer — making it all the more likely that he remains. However, business has to get done at the end of the day. He could fit any contender as a microwave scorer in a sixth-man role.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Utah Jazz, Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, Rudy Gay, & Kelly Olynyk Updates
Mike Conley is clearly at a stage of his NBA career where it makes the most sense for him to be competing for a championship. Some teams, like the LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, could benefit from adding an established guard. The Minnesota Timberwolves were also linked. Kelly Olynyk and Malik Beasley could interest any team needing a shooting boost.
The most intriguing potential trade chip to monitor on the Jazz is Jarred Vanderbilt. He intrigues many around the league with his defensive versatility. In a switch-heavy league, a team that needs to add a strong wing that can guard multiple positions would surely be enticed to acquire him.
