NBA Trades: 5 realistic trade targets for the Utah Jazz

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz react to a play during the second quarter /al at Crypto.com Arena on January 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, NBA Trades: 5 realistic trade targets for the Utah Jazz. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

With the 2022 NBA trade deadline shortly on the horizon, the Utah Jazz should be pursuing potential candidates that would strengthen the roster in hopes of a deep playoff run this season.

Plenty of options should be available across the open market, and the Jazz will most definitely be buyers ahead of the February 10th deadline. If Utah wants to make a push to chase a title, they will most likely make at least one move in the coming weeks.

If we’re being honest, the Jazz aren’t serious title contenders at the moment, especially after the reported season-ending loss of Joe Ingles due to a torn left ACL. With the same core (minus Ingles), they’re clearly not as good as last season’s team that fell short of the Western Conference Finals.

As the Utah Jazz seek a deep playoff run this season, let’s look at five realistic targets that they could pursue before the 2022 trade deadline.

The Utah Jazz currently hold the fourth seed in the West, 4.5 games behind the third-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. They score 113.5 points per game, which ranks second in the league, and rank fourth in field goal percentage, shooting 47.1 percent from the floor on average.

However, Utah is allowing 107.8 points per game to opponents this season. Their offense has been extremely efficient behind rising superstar Donovan Mitchell and a strong supporting cast, but they’ve taken a dip defensively compared to previous years.

As a result, it seems likely that the Jazz should target a defensive-minded contributor leading up to the trade deadline. Utah would likely prefer an experienced, versatile candidate that can switch defensively, defend multiple positions, and unlock small-ball lineups when Rudy Gobert is off the court.

It’s important to note that the Jazz are in the luxury tax, so they don’t have as much financial flexibility as they’d like when discussing potential deals. Although, they have Ingles’ $13.0 million expiring contract that they can use to match salaries.

They also have picks – 2026, 2027, and 2028 first-round picks, multiple second-round picks. And prospects like Udoka Azubuike, Eric Paschall, Elijah Hughes, and Jared Butler that could be used to entice teams.

Without further ado, let’s examine five realistic trade targets for the Utah Jazz ahead of the deadline.

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