Utah Jazz: Time to make a move before it’s too late

Joe Johnson

Entering the final year of his contract in Utah, Joe Johnson could end up being a nice piece for a contender later on in the NBA season.

Of course, Johnson needs to get healthy and return from his wrist injury, while proving to other teams that he’s healthy before the team could trade him away. You get the feeling that if the Jazz do trade away Johnson, it would be closer to the trade deadline and to a team that is trying to make a late-season push heading into the playoffs.

With the addition of rookie Donovan Mitchell this season and the absence of Johnson due to injury, the Jazz have been able to see that Mitchell and others are capable of filling, and thriving, in the void Johnson has left.

At 36 years old, Johnson can still provide a lot to an NBA team in his 17th season in the league. If Utah isn’t looking to hang on to Johnson, the Jazz may look to see if they can get something in return to Johnson this season.