WASHINGTON — The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Utah Jazz's phone is ringing. a lot.
That makes sense. The Jazz have short-term contracts, talent and assets that make them attractive to other teams around the league. They have a front office that isn't afraid or hesitant to make a move if they think it's right for the franchise.
Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk are receiving the most interest, league officials said. This is separate from star forward Lauri Markkanen, who is coveted around the league, but from the Jazz's perspective, this player is almost untouchable.
In Clarkson's case, the New York Knicks are among the teams showing interest. On paper, Clarkson seems like a natural fit for the Knicks. When New York included Immanuel Quickley in the deal that acquired OG Anunoby, the Knicks lost another player who can come off the bench with the ability to create plays off the dribble.
As the Knicks currently stand, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle are tasked with creating the majority of the basketball advantage on each possession. Adding Clarkson to the roster would fill the void left by New York losing Quickley in that trade.
Jazz knows that. They are answering calls and interacting with their teams, and there will no doubt be more interactions as the deadline approaches.
But it's not a given that the front office takes action. From a roster construction standpoint, the Jazz stand to have significant cap space this summer, and the organization is reluctant to give up that flexibility. With several expiring contracts on the roster, this summer may be the last time the Jazz have the ability to steer in a different direction.
Manager Markkanen intends to obtain a long-term contract through renegotiation and extension this summer, or by signing a new contract next summer. Once that happens, every time it happens, the Jazz lose financial flexibility. So, just like NFL teams build rosters around star quarterbacks on rookie contracts, the Jazz know they have a period of time where they can upgrade from a cap standpoint.
The Jazz also have the advantage of having the flexibility to draft picks so they can do the same. So even with less financial flexibility, the team still has the ability to improve its roster through the many picks it acquired in the trades for Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley. Right now, the Jazz are a team that sits in the center of the chessboard and can go in any direction.
That's why I'm picky about deadlines. In addition to Clarkson and Olynyk, other names could also be on the roster, including guard Talen Horton-Tucker. The Jazz are in a position to demand value because they have no problem with these players, or any other players on the team, remaining on the roster after the deadline.
Clarkson has continued to develop since returning to his role as a sixth man. He is Utah's best perimeter scorer, including in a 123-108 win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night, and is someone who can dominate the game offensively. Olynyk is Utah's best big off the bench. He may be the best passer on the Jazz roster, but he's also an underrated scorer and someone who has played multiple positions on offense and defense this season.
If we had written this four weeks ago, this story might have been different. The Jazz were struggling. They were near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and had a dysfunctional roster. A month later, they're in the hunt for a spot in the play-in tournament. Players like Collin Sexton have come a long way in a short amount of time, and the roster is playing well.
There could also be a buyer-type move if the Jazz decide it's wise to do so. The Atlanta Hawks have acquired point guard Dejounte Murray, but the asking price is said to be high at this point. Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine has been on the market for several weeks, but his contract and overall lack of durability have shrunk his market.
What the Jazz want in return when trading a veteran or three is value. It looks like Clarkson and Olynyk can do that right away. The fact that they have been so competitive this season, especially from the start, has been a pleasant surprise. They've had a tough schedule so far this season, but they're on a good path to at least clinch a play-in spot and have played a number of road games.
The Jazz are currently in the middle of a six-game series, starting Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets. If they can find a way to beat the Hornets, the Jazz will play most of their February games at home, giving them a chance to return home with a batting average above .500.
The most important thing for Jazz is to keep the big picture in mind. They don't want to be competitive, they want to be competitive in the championship. The front office knows the deadline is part of that process, and they know they have players on the roster that are attractive to other teams. At the end of the day, it comes down to whether the Jazz think it's to their advantage to try to accomplish something.
If you do that, you'll almost certainly get a deal.
(Photo of Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Clarkson: Melissa Majchrzak / NBAE via Getty Images)
