Utah Jazz: 5 predictions for the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline

Joe Johnson

Prediction: Johnson will either get packaged in a trade or will reach a buyout with the Jazz. Either way, Johnson will find his way out of Utah this season. 

One player that has been kind flying under the radar as far as trade rumors has been Utah veteran wing Joe Johnson.

Outside of New York Times’ Marc Stein‘s report last week of Johnson quietly wanting out of Salt Lake City, there really has been no buzz surrounding a trade market for Johnson or teams that are reaching out to Utah to ask about the veteran.

But it’s likely that Johnson, who is kind of mixed in with the heavy dose of wings the Jazz currently have, will eventually find his way out of Utah.

Entering Wednesday, Johnson is averaging 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.8 minutes per game coming off the bench this year. In 31 appearances, the veteran wing is also shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from behind the arc.

Coming off the bench has been a role that Johnson has found himself in for a majority of this latter stage of his career and one that he could continue to thrive in on another team around the league.

With Johnson’s contract currently at $10.5 million in the final year of his deal in Utah, it seems likely that either the Jazz are going to have to take on a bigger contract (along with draft picks) to make the trade work or a buyout will be the solution following the trade deadline.

Ultimately though, Johnson will find his way out of Utah and will make an impact on a contending team for the rest of the season.