The Utah Jazz had a rough 2023-24 season, finishing with a 31-51 record. That landed them 12th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Northwest Division, way out of playoff contention. Despite a strong start, where they won 26 of their first 52 games, things went downhill fast in the latter half of the season. Key players like Lauri Markkanen, who averaged 23.2 points per game, John Collins with 8.5 rebounds per game, and Jordan Clarkson with 5.0 assists per game, did their best, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Now, as they head into the offseason, the Jazz have the 10th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. This is a golden opportunity to either snag a promising rookie or trade for a seasoned player. With head coach Will Hardy and his team of assistants at the helm, this offseason is make-or-break for the Jazz. They need to take some smart, even risky, steps to get back on track. Here are three moves they should consider to make the Jazz a team to watch again.
Offer James Harden A Contract That He Can’t Refuse
To jumpstart their rebuild, the Utah Jazz should offer James Harden a contract he can’t refuse: a three-year, $120 million deal. Harden is coming off a season with the Los Angeles Clippers where he averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. He will become an unrestricted free agent after accepting his player option for the past season.
The Jazz have some cap space flexibility, estimated to be around $38 million, which they can use to lure top talent like Harden. This financial room allows them to make a competitive offer without jeopardizing their future financial health. The Clippers, with $169 million already committed to their 2024-25 roster, face significant financial constraints. Although they want to retain Harden, their cap situation might make it challenging to match a lucrative offer from the Jazz.
Harden’s playmaking skills would be an excellent fit alongside Lauri Markkanen, who led the team with 23.2 points per game this past season. Additionally, Harden’s veteran presence would be invaluable for young talents like Collin Sexton and Keyonte George, providing them with a mentor and significantly enhancing their development on the court. This mix of veteran leadership and youthful energy could propel the Jazz back into playoff contention.
By offering Harden $40 million per year, the Jazz can secure a high-caliber player who can instantly elevate the team’s performance and bring much-needed star power to Salt Lake City. This bold move, though risky, could be the key to making the Jazz relevant again.
Get Mikal Bridges Out Of Brooklyn
Mikal Bridges had a solid 2023-24 season with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, shooting 43.6% from the field and 37% from three. Despite his efforts, the Nets struggled, and there’s talk that they might need to rethink their strategy to rebuild around Bridges if things don’t improve soon.
The Utah Jazz could offer a tempting trade package to acquire Bridges: the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jordan Clarkson, and rookie Taylor Hendricks. Clarkson, who averaged 17.0 points and 5.0 assists per game this season, would bring immediate scoring and playmaking to the Nets, adding much-needed firepower to their roster.
Bringing Bridges to Utah would be a game-changer. He’s an elite defender and a versatile scorer, fitting perfectly with Lauri Markkanen’s sharpshooting and the potential addition of James Harden’s playmaking. Bridges’ defensive skills and ability to guard multiple positions would bolster the Jazz’s perimeter defense, which was a weak spot last season.
Bridges’ all-around impact, especially on the defensive end, could be huge for the young Jazz team. His presence would allow Markkanen to focus more on offense, knowing that Bridges can lock down the opposing team’s best wing player. Meanwhile, Harden’s playmaking would create easier scoring opportunities for both Bridges and Markkanen.
Bridges would also be a great mentor for younger players like Brice Sensabaugh, sharing his experience and defensive expertise. His work ethic and leadership would resonate well in the Jazz locker room, creating a culture of accountability and hard work.
A Big Time Move For Jarrett Allen
The Cleveland Cavaliers ended their 2023-24 season on a disappointing note, losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Despite winning their first playoff series without LeBron James in over 30 years, the Cavs didn’t quite meet expectations as a top contender in the East. The team struggled with injuries and inconsistency, particularly with their core players Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen all missing significant time.
Amidst these struggles, there have been numerous trade rumors surrounding the Cavs’ key players. While Donovan Mitchell remains a focal point, there’s talk of potential trades involving Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen as the team looks to retool and improve their roster balance. With Mitchell’s future uncertain, the Cavs might need to make bold moves to secure long-term stability.
The Utah Jazz could seize this opportunity by offering a trade package to acquire Jarrett Allen. The proposed deal would include John Collins and Walker Kessler going to the Cavaliers in exchange for their starting center.
Jarrett Allen had a solid 2023-24 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 64% from the field. John Collins, on the other hand, posted averages of 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Walker Kessler contributed with 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, shooting an impressive 65% from the field.
Bringing in Jarrett Allen would provide the Jazz with a defensive anchor and a strong presence in the paint. Pairing Allen with Lauri Markkanen and potentially James Harden would create a balanced and formidable frontcourt. Allen’s defensive capabilities, highlighted by his 1.1 blocks per game and solid rebounding, would complement Markkanen’s offensive skills and Harden’s playmaking. This move would significantly boost the Jazz’s interior defense and rebounding, areas where they’ve struggled.
The Cavaliers would receive John Collins and Walker Kessler, adding depth and versatility to their frontcourt. Collins brings a reliable scoring option and floor-spacing ability with his shooting range, while Kessler offers a young, improving big man who can protect the rim and rebound effectively. This trade would allow the Cavs to maintain a strong interior presence while gaining a forward who can stretch the floor, providing more offensive flexibility.
This Revamped Lineup Could Be Huge
Starting Lineup: James Harden, Collin Sexton, Mikal Bridges, Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen
Bench: Keyonte George, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kris Dunn, Brice Sensabaugh, Darius Bazley, Omer Yurtseven, Kenneth Lofton Jr.
The Utah Jazz are poised for a significant turnaround in the 2024-25 season with their potential new lineup. Adding James Harden, Mikal Bridges, and Jarrett Allen to their core would make them a formidable team in the Western Conference.
Harden’s playmaking and scoring would bring a new dynamic to the team. Sexton adds his 18.7 points per game, giving the backcourt a solid punch. Bridges is a defensive beast and versatile scorer. Markkanen benefits from the added support, and Allen anchors the defense.
Off the bench, the Jazz have promising players like Keyonte George, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kris Dunn, Brice Sensabaugh, Darius Bazley, Omer Yurtseven, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. This mix of youth and experience gives them depth and flexibility. George and Sensabaugh can develop under the guidance of veterans like Harden and Bridges.
This revamped roster addresses the Jazz’s past issues, especially in defense and playmaking. Harden’s ability to create plays opens up scoring chances for Markkanen and Sexton, while Allen and Bridges solidify the defense. With this team, the Jazz could definitely make a serious playoff push and maybe even go deep in the postseason.
A Bright Future For The Jazz
With this rebuilt lineup, the Utah Jazz have a real shot at making some noise in the 2024-25 season. The likelihood of landing players like Harden, Bridges, and Allen is uncertain but definitely within reach if the front office makes bold moves.
Investing in competitiveness rather than tanking makes sense for the Jazz. They can be good or even mediocre and still benefit from valuable draft picks acquired from Cleveland and Minnesota in the Gobert and Mitchell trades. This approach not only builds a winning culture but also keeps the fan base engaged and excited for the future.
The Jazz have the opportunity to blend veteran talent with promising young players, creating a balanced and formidable team. This strategy ensures they remain competitive while also having assets for future growth. By making smart trades and leveraging their draft picks, the Jazz can navigate the competitive landscape of the NBA and aim for a deep playoff run, securing a bright future for the franchise.
