THE Utah Jazz The Jazz are well-positioned to take completely different paths heading into the third yr of their rebuild. Bookmakers are projecting Utah to win 29 video games with the present roster heading into the 2024-25 season. Nonetheless, if the Jazz commerce a few of their veterans earlier than or in the course of the season, it is also believable that they might fall to a lower-ranked crew.
Hypothetically, if Utah decides to go full tank this season, what are its most tradeable property going ahead? The Bleacher Report answered this query recognizing probably the most fascinating property of every NBA franchise heading into the brand new season.
So who is taken into account probably the most fascinating participant if accessible by way of commerce? Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson have been focused because the gamers possible to attract probably the most consideration.
Prime Commerce Belongings: C Walker Kessler, G Collin Sexton, G Jordan Clarkson
Untouchables: F Lauri Markkanen, G Keyonte George, F Cody Williams
“Kessler seemed to be an untouchable member of Utah’s core after a powerful rookie season, however he was solely a part-time starter in Yr 2. The 23-year-old is an elite rim protector and good rebounder, however seems restricted in his future offensive roles.”
“Sexton is coming off the perfect season of his profession, averaging 21.1 factors, 5.6 assists and capturing 41.8 % from three-point vary in 51 begins. He is finished job enhancing his capturing effectivity and is persistently placing in robust defensive efforts.”
“It is shocking that Clarkson remains to be in Utah, as a result of he is the prototypical sixth man for a title contender, given his microwave scoring and improved play.” — Greg Swartz
The article additionally referred to as Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Cody Williams untouchable, however I am unsure about that. It is true that Markkanen is untradeable within the close to future. There’s a six-month grace interval after Markkanen indicators his contract extension throughout which he can’t be traded. That expiration date falls after the 2025 commerce deadline.
Williams and George are unlikely to be traded this offseason, however Jazz CEO Danny Ainge is in cost, so nothing is off the desk. If an All-Star caliber participant turns into accessible in the course of the season to pair with Markkanen, then all bets are off.
Kessler and Sexton are the 2 gamers on Utah’s roster who could possibly be large cash gamers if traded. Sexton overperformed his contract final season. He averaged 18.7 factors and 4.9 assists per recreation, however extra importantly, he was Utah’s most sturdy participant. Sexton missed simply 4 video games in his second yr as a Jazzman.
Sexton is due $37.5 million over the subsequent two years and can enter the 2024-25 season at simply 25 years previous. It is unclear the place Sexton will slot in the long run, however Utah is in place to think about the previous No. 8 general choose within the 2018 NBA draft.
Kessler is below crew management for 3 extra years. Whereas his market worth was barely diminished final season, he’s nonetheless underpaid for what he brings to the crew. Kessler is without doubt one of the prime 5 tackles within the league and has room to develop. If he had been to be traded, the Jazz ought to be capable of get a first-round choose in return.
Clarkson is the one identify on the checklist that leaves one perplexed. It ought to come as no shock that Utah was unable to commerce Clarkson this offseason. The previous Sixth Man of the Yr had a tough 2023-24 season and nonetheless has two years remaining on his contract totaling $28.3 million. At this level, I wouldn’t contemplate Clarkson an asset.
The upcoming yr is producing numerous chatter across the espresso machine. There may be hypothesis that the Jazz might commerce Kessler and Sexton, which might doubtlessly place them as prime contenders to amass the NBA’s prime prospect, Cooper Flagg, within the 2025 draft. Nonetheless, each gamers match the Jazz’s wants proper now and could possibly be worthwhile property to the crew sooner or later. It stays to be seen what the Jazz’s plans are.
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