The Utah Jazz are a team that could change the landscape of the NBA ahead of the trade deadline next week. They have cooled off considerably from their hot start, leading many people to believe that they will be sellers ahead of the deadline.
There were rumors that Utah could look to actually upgrade their roster with Dorian Finney-Smith being their main target. That is clearly off the board, given he was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in part of the Kyrie Irving. Unless he comes at an affordable price, it is hard to imagine Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik changing course now after they traded away multiple key veterans in the offseason.
There are still a few veterans on the roster that could be traded before the February 9th deadline. One of those players is wing Malik Beasley. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, interest in Beasley is beginning to heat up around the league.
“Rival executives tell Bleacher Report they believe the Utah Jazz have a team—or multiple teams—willing to offer a first-round pick for shooting guard Malik Beasley.”
If there is a first-round pick on the table in negotiations, it is hard to imagine the Jazz not pulling the trigger on such a deal. Beasley was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Rudy Gobert blockbuster this past offseason and was always considered a potential trade chip.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malik Beasley & Utah Jazz Updates
Beasley could be a very attractive target for teams that are looking to clear some salary cap space in the future. His contract for the 2023-24 season is worth over $16.5 million, but it is a club option. So, he can be discussed in trade talks essentially as an expiring contract.
That should only expand his market as teams could be willing to attach a first-round pick in the deal to get off of a long-term deal. Beasley could also be viewed as an upgrade for a team’s second unit looking for help on the perimeter.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malik Beasley & Utah Jazz Updates
On the season, the Florida State product is averaging 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.8 steals in 26.8 minutes per game. He is knocking down 35.8 percent of his 3-point attempts and is a solid defender, two things all contending teams can never get enough of.
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