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James Hansen
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The Utah Jazz are going to make some trades this offseason. The question is .. for who?
Recently, Danny Ainge announced that the Utah Jazz will go “big game hunting” this offseason, which sent ripples through NBA Twitter.
Yesterday on the Drive with Spence Checketts, Tim MacMahon talked about potential trade candidates for the Jazz. You can listen to the whole interview below which also hints at a rumor about Walker Kessler being unhappy with the direction of the Jazz.
The players he mentions as potential trade candidates are Karl Anthony-Towns, Trae Young, and Dejounte Murray.
We’ve heard rumors about all those players, so this makes some sense. But the question is, does this fit what the Jazz want to do with the team's future? Ainge mentioned in his recent interview that the Jazz want to make a big move, but not a move that only improves them from the 23rd-ranked team to something like the 18th-best team. Personally, I’m not sure any of these players are the type of player that alter’s the franchise direction in a huge way.
Checketts also asked about Lauri Markkanen and the other veterans and who is most likely to be on the team. MacMahon then talks about all the veterans beside Markkanen are readily available at the right price, but he then goes on to say the Jazz have to make a decision on Markkanen. He says they need to decide if they want to sign him or explore the market.
Later, MacMahon clarifies, talking about the decision the Jazz have to make. He says the worst thing the Jazz could do this offseason is say, “We’ve gotta make a trade this summer,” and they bring in a guy who doesn’t move the needle. They can’t clear all their assets for a player who isn’t the best player on a championship-caliber team.
These comments are why it’s hard to see the Jazz making this type of trade if they truly are focused on getting an elite player, or two. But we’ll watch closely this offseason to see if something like this happens. This offseason is already looking like it could get crazy for the Jazz.
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