SALT LAKE CITY — The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Utah Jazz are one of the busiest teams in negotiations.
The Jazz roster has a lot of players who are willing to talk about other teams. But what does that mean in the coming days? What does Jazz hope to achieve?
According to multiple league officials, he probably won't be a buyer. If you're a Jazz fan, you shouldn't expect them to try to trade for someone like Dejounte Murray or Zach LaVine. This summer, the Jazz are looking at real cap space for the first time in a while. But it's also the last time they'll have that kind of cap space for a while, as star forward Lauri Markkanen will receive a hefty salary this summer or next year at the latest.
The Jazz are currently not even participating in the 2024 NBA Draft. That could change if the Jazz can get compensation in exchange for some kind of contract. Either way, The Jazz Project will stand out by the deadline. They have a lot of tradable contracts. They have a deep team with rotation-level players who can help other teams. They have an incentive to get some value back to players who may not be on the team long-term.
Here are three Utah players who have emerged as serious trade candidates. That doesn't mean others won't show up over the next day and a half. But as of Tuesday night, these are the most likely candidates.
He remains a likely trade candidate, according to multiple league sources. Olynyk has received widespread interest, especially among teams with strong playoff potential, not only because of his expiring contract, but more importantly because of his offensive versatility. Olynyk is a 7-footer who can play either power forward or center. He's also a reliable veteran in the locker room, someone who can help the team around 20-25 minutes per night.
The question for the Jazz is whether Olynyk can get enough value to get a worthwhile contract. He's someone who has helped the Jazz a lot since coming to Utah in a trade with the Detroit Pistons. He's probably the best passer on the current roster. He is a steadying force off the bench in Will Hardy's system, and his ability to play inside and on the perimeter helps drive Hardy's offensive system. That's also why he's attracting so much attention. Combine his skill set with a $12 million contract and it's easy to see why his potential services are so attractive.
At this point, Clarkson is less likely to be traded than Olynyk. While anything could certainly happen between now and Thursday, the winds are leaning toward Clarkson remaining with the Jazz through the deadline. Perhaps this will surprise some people. I'm interested in Clarkson. And last week, it was reported that the New York Knicks were interested in Clarkson and Olynyk. Unlike Olynyk, Clarkson's contract isn't that easy for other teams right now, so there's a chance Clarkson will remain in Salt Lake City.
Clarkson is in the first year of a three-year, $51 million contract and is making $23 million this season. It's difficult for teams to match that number. The Knicks have shooting guard Evan Fournier still on his expiring contract, and the Knicks need Clarkson's ability to score off the bench. More importantly, Clarkson can create an offensive advantage off the bench.
But if the Knicks don't make a move for Clarkson, another team would have to come up with $23 million in salary to reach that number. Even if Clarkson were to stay, he would still be a prime trade candidate heading into the offseason, as his contract is on the decline and will be worth just $14 million entering the summer. This is a much more manageable number for the team. Combine that affordable contract with Clarkson's offensive ability, and it's not hard to imagine a playoff team or contender type willing to part with some value for him. To be clear, Clarkson is still a trade candidate at the deadline. He is no longer as strong a candidate as Olynyk.
Utah's starting small forward has emerged as a serious trade target for two competing teams, the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics, according to multiple league sources. Both teams need to strengthen their respective second units, and Fontecchio is in the final year of his $3.1 million contract, making his salary easily accessible for Phoenix and Boston.
Fontecchio has emerged this season as an effective rotation-level player. He's been shooting the ball well, especially since being inserted into the starting lineup. He has also proven to be at least a skilled wide defender.
The Celtics need frontcourt depth, and Fontecchio would be a great fit. He is a shooter with size and length who could play alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He's also fearless on the floor. The same logic applies to Phoenix, a team that needs a player like Fontecchio who can shoot and defend to take the pressure off Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
The question is what the Jazz might receive in compensation. The Suns are only dealing in second-round picks. The Celtics are in a good position and have some first points at their disposal. If Fontecchio is traded, he will become a restricted free agent this summer, giving the team control over who gets traded. That also makes him attractive in the market.
Regarding the remaining members, the Jazz have had their names mentioned in negotiations, but they are not as serious as the first three. But that doesn't mean you can't trade these stocks individually or include them in trades that require aggregation.
The Jazz are in their second season of a rebuild, which is a big reason why the roster is so fluid. And for the second straight season, the roster may look a little different on the other side of the deadline.
(Kelly Olynyk photo: Melissa Majchrzak / NBAE via Getty Images)
