Utah Jazz outlook toward free agency, trade period, contending in the West

Target Andrew Wiggins

While Hayward has been spectacular for the Jazz in improving each season, it’s unlikely there is much more scope for significant improvement. The same can’t be said for Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins just completed his third season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and has improved noticeably each year. This season he averaged 23.6 points (16th in the league)and 4.0 rebounds in 37.2 minutes per game. Wiggins’ durability has been exceptional thus far, missing just one game over his three seasons in the league. An incredible athlete, Wiggins’ ability to become an elite talent on both ends off the floor is an attraction for any team.

The No.1 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, obtaining Wiggins via trade will be both extremely difficult and costly. Point guard Dante Exum has proven to be an excellent defender in his short time in the league. Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau is renowned for preaching defense, and Exum will be music to Thibodeau’s ears upon entering his second season in charge of the Timberwolves.

Alec Burks is still just 25 and a former lottery pick of the Jazz. However, he has had a wretched run with injury, having played just 100 total games over the last three seasons since signing a four-year, $42 million deal. With Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine still recovering from an ACL injury, Burks presents an attractive proposition for Thibodeau.

Recently, Burks noted that he was confident is what the future holds:

"“I need to work on more things to get back to the explosive athlete that I was. That’s what I’m working towards….I know I’m only 25, I’m young. I’ll get back to my old self. I’m not worried.”"

The Timberwolves currently have the seventh selection of the upcoming draft. The Jazz would further add an additional two future first round selections to entice the Timberwolves. Furthermore, the Jazz would include power forward Derrick Favors, a former No. 3 overall pick, providing Thibodeau an alternate option over the incumbent at that spot, Gorgui Dieng.

Here is how the parameters of the deal would appear:

From the Timberwolves’ perspective, they could use their current starting point guard, Ricky Rubio, in a trade (accompanied by a friendly contract) and build around a future core of Karl-Anthony Towns, LaVine, Exum, a slew of first round picks and any future trades or signings the franchise may make this summer.

Wiggins is still under contract through 2017-18, at which point he will be eligible for, and seeking, a maximum long-term extension.