The Utah Jazz is one of the teams staking a claim for the playoffs, and with less than a month for the trade deadline to end, the franchise will look to make some key moves and bolster their chances of making the postseason.
At the time of writing, Utah is placed ninth in the West with a 21-23 record. Their last five games have seen a sine-wave run, and some upgrades are in the offing. One of the major names doing the rounds on the trade market is Mike Conley, with quite a few times looking to rope in the point guard to their ranks.
The other name generating the buzz is Jordan Clarkson, who reportedly declined an extension, per NBA insider Marc Stein. With the team’s second-leading scorer rumored to be on the block, he will be one of the players sought after by teams looking to bag a playoff berth.
With that, here are some names the Jazz could trade this season.
3. Collin Sexton
Collin Sexton is one of the names expected to find a new home by the end of the season. He has not been part of the Jazz’s last five games after a hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines.
The guard has been averaging 14.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season and logging in roughly 24 minutes per game. Contract-wise, he is set to make $16.5 million this season, followed by $17 million next year and $18 million the following two years, respectively.
Sexton has been a reliable scoring opinion for the Jazz but could be on the team’s plans to sell for a superstar who could bolster the unit’s chances of going the distance.
2. Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson and the Jazz have been garnering headlines, with the former reportedly refusing an extension. However, it is understandable why the think-tank might opt to go with a younger core.
The guard has been pivotal for the Jazz this season, averaging 20.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, proving that he is more than just a bench option. His contract keeps him through 2023-24 and has him making $13 million this season, followed by $14.2 million the next year.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz proposed that Clarkson could find a new home with the Milwaukee Bucks as he could add to their offensive arsenal.
When it comes to bucket-getting, few do it better in the league than Clarkson. The 30-year-old guard is enjoying the best season of his career with 20.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and a 35.6 percent mark from three. He’d be instant offense off the bench for Milwaukee and draw defensive attention away from the rest of this talented roster.
Clarkson could be a resourceful scoring option for the Bucks, whose ability to spread the floor also helps Giannis Antetokounmpo. So, it’s not a bad idea to have him suit up with Milwaukee by the end of the season.
1. Mike Conley
At 35, Mike Conley is far from finished, but unfortunately, for a team that’s looking to add young legs, the guard might be on the shipping bay.
Conley is set to make $22 million this season, followed by $24 million the next year, which will be the final season of his contract and is already rumored to be on the Minnesota Timberwolves radar.
Per NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the veteran, who is averaging 10.1 points, 2.1 assists, and 7.5 assists, might have a landing in Minnesota. With Karl-Anthony Towns injured, and the side missing veteran experience, Conley would be a perfect fit.
“I said that the [Minnesota] Timberwolves could use a guy like Mike Conley,” NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported. “… It doesn’t appear Mike Conley is available, at least right now.”
The Timberwolves could use his skillset of being the floor leader and running the offense. He might be having a poor time shooting at Utah, but maybe a change of scenery will help his case.
Player salaries via Spotrac.
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