In some ways, the NBA is simple. You either want to have a contending roster, or you want to have assets. If you don’t have either, congratulations! Your team is in a bad place.
That doesn’t apply to the Utah Jazz. They’re not especially competitive, but that’s OK. The Jazz have a lot of assets. They could justify that decision if they want to trade some of their best players at this year’s deadline.
By contrast, the Miami Heat aren’t likely to host that type of fire sale. That’s OK, too – the Heat are competitive. They may be dark horse contenders, but that was true last year when they advanced to the NBA Finals.
Could they improve their title odds by acquiring Jordan Clarkson from the Miami Heat?
NBA Trade Proposal: Miami Heat Land Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson
Utah Jazz Receive: G Kyle Lowry, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Jordan Clarkson
With that said, many factors will determine whether a team is in a good position. Look at the recent history of the Brooklyn Nets. When their core of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and others aged out of contention, they looked in rough shape.
The Nets weren’t good, and they didn’t have assets. What happened? They made the best of it. This organization spent a few years developing a winning culture. Those years paid off.
The Nets were able to attract Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency. Once again, they were contenders. Of course, they had the luxury of playing in Brooklyn.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz, Miami Heat Updates
A team’s market can determine its success. That factor plays in the Heat’s favor – but not the Jazz’s. Should Utah trade a quality player with that in mind?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
In some ways, the NBA is simple. The Jazz’s logic here is no exception. They are a bad team, so they’re trading an expensive veteran. That’s simple enough for us.
What should Utah expect from Clarkson? Well, it’s worth noting that he’s having a bit of a down year. Clarkson is also aging out of his prime and on a big, long-term deal. Teams aren’t likely to give up an unprotected first-round pick for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz, Miami Heat Updates
How about a protected first? The Jazz already have an impressive collection of draft capital. Here, they’re making that collection even more impressive. In time, they can use their picks to either draft a core or make a trade.
Should the Heat put them in that position?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Some teams need draft capital more than others. We’re going back to our market discussion here. The Heat are less inclined to build through the draft – after all, they can typically attract the players that they want.
Should they want Clarkson? We think so. Sure, he’s having a down year. He’s also on the Jazz. We suspect that Clarkson’s efficiency would spike in a better environment. The Heat can offer him that environment. Alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Clarkson will have less defensive attention paid to him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz, Miami Heat Updates
Besides, Clarkson has made his own strides as a playmaker in recent years. This isn’t strictly a volume scorer. Miami could use an injection of talent in their backcourt, and Clarkson would be a good fit. That seems simple enough to us.
