2. Utah Jazz
Considering their current backups at the power forward position, the Utah Jazz should be more than interested in acquiring Ryan Anderson. After falling to 2-6 in their recent eight-game stretch without Rudy Gobert, Utah is searching for answers to remain firmly entrenched in a Western Conference playoff spot.
The J-Notes
Anderson’s scoring touch off the bench would be a great help to the league’s 17th ranked offense and the spacing he’d provide would open things up for the second unit. His effective three-point stroke would also bolster the NBA’s seventh most efficient attack from downtown. Even better, they wouldn’t have to give up too much to get it done.
Look, no one likes the idea of trading away a lottery pick, but Trey Lyles isn’t indispensable by any means. He’s struggled in limited minutes as a rookie and the Jazz would have the cap space this summer to re-sign Anderson to a large extension, keeping him and his perimeter attack in Utah through the rest of his prime.
Plus, Anderson’s defensive flaws would be hidden within Quin Snyder’s elite defense, assuming Gobert comes back healthy.
As for the Pellies, Trevor Booker and a rarely used rookie don’t make for an impressive haul, and the Jazz would probably have to include a draft pick of some sort. But Booker is a fairly useful frontcourt player and it’s far too early to give up on Lyles’ potential as a 20-year-old stretch-4.
His rookie contract makes him more appealing, and with Booker being a free agent this summer, NOLA could either re-sign him for cheap or let him walk depending on how he pans out. Again, this isn’t an ideal haul, but it’s a realistic one and it’s better than letting Anderson walk for nothing.
Next: No. 1