THE Utah Jazz are one of many Western Convention’s cellar dwellers this season, posting a meager 4-16 win-loss report for the 14th seed. Nevertheless, nobody actually anticipated the Jazz to be aggressive this yr, on condition that they’re nonetheless within the midst of a rebuilding chapter.
However whereas Lauri Markkanen at present seems to be the perfect commerce candidate for the Jazz to usher in a rebuild, the Finnish heart signed an extension that prevents Markkanen from being dealt till the 2025 offseason. This finally prevents any blockbuster commerce from materializing earlier than the deadline. With Markkanen excluded from commerce candidates, the Jazz’s subsequent must-have participant is Jordan Clarkson, former NBA Sixth Man of the Yr winner.
Clarkson is an growing older participant on the Jazz crew who’s a veteran for this rebuilding crew. But when Salt Lake Metropolis followers have realized to like his competitiveness, he’s additionally a business asset that ought to enable the Jazz to get even youthful. However extra importantly, Clarkson’s scoring off the bench supplies strong commerce worth in the marketplace, which ought to appeal to a handful of suitors seeking to bolster their depth on the guard place. Moreover, his trade-friendly contract makes him much more cell for the present 2024-2025 season.
Strike whereas the iron is sizzling
Clarkson has been the topic of commerce rumors for just a few seasons. Nevertheless, the Jazz by no means made a deal to maneuver the previous NBA Sixth Man of the Yr. Clarkson must be a horny addition for any professional contender who wants a lift to their bench. Within the present 2024-25 season, the Jazz star can also be averaging 15.0 factors, 3.8 rebounds and three.8 assists per sport.
The previous NBA All-Rookie First Group choice additionally has a team-friendly contract that ought to make him simple to maneuver. Clarkson is predicted to gather $14 million for the 2024-25 season. This could additionally enable the Jazz to profit from Clarkson’s impending launch.
Other than being a deadly scorer within the NBA, Clarkson has no scarcity of beneficial expertise below his belt. Along with serving as a mentor to the Jazz’s rebuilding core over the previous few seasons, the Filipino-American guard has additionally made the NBA playoffs 4 instances, together with an look within the NBA Finals in 2018.
Not suits Jazz timeline
As a mentor to the Jazz’s younger core, it’s apparent that at 32 years previous, Clarkson not suits into the Jazz timeline. Though he’s a fan favourite in Utah, the franchise now has a unique imaginative and prescient that makes Clarkson a robust commerce candidate.
The departure of Clarkson must also enable the Jazz to rejuvenate. In change for Clarkson, the Salt Lake Metropolis-based crew can simply demand a number of younger expertise or draft picks. Alternatively, this additionally paves the way in which for Clarkson to play for a contender in the course of the latter a part of his junior years. It is merely a waste of time for the highest guard to stay with a tank crew when he might simply be a serious contributor for a playoff crew.
These days, Clarkson hasn’t been the healthiest participant on the Jazz roster. He is handled a myriad of accidents which have triggered him to overlook a handful of video games over the previous two seasons, totaling simply 116. Moreover, within the present 2024-25 season, Clarkson has already missed seven video games. With declining well being, it is a no-brainer for the Jazz to ship out Clarkson in a deal whereas his worth has but to plummet.
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Extra alternatives for younger abilities
If the Jazz wish to totally launch their rebuild, Clarkson’s launch would convey the franchise nearer to its aim. When Clarkson performs, he attire for 26 minutes per sport. Moreover, he additionally requires the ball in his arms to create some offense. Whereas efficient at instances, the previous NBA Sixth Man of the Yr additionally takes away alternatives from the crew’s youthful gamers.
As everyone knows, the Jazz are hoping to unlock the potential of their younger guards in Keyonte George and Cody Williams. The Jazz might be rebuilding for at the least just a few years to present Will Hardy sufficient time to construct a contender. In consequence, for the perfect curiosity of the franchise in the long run, it’s superb that it could begin as quickly as doable.
Clarkson’s departure ought to pave the way in which for larger tasks to fall on the shoulders of George and Williams. It will enable the Jazz to make a good evaluation of whether or not they have the franchise cornerstones to construct on.
