Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Offseason: Top 5 most underrated moves so far this summer

By Holden Walter-Warner

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 23: Jarred Vanderbilt #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a call on the court in the fourth quarter of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on March 23, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 125-116. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 23: Jarred Vanderbilt #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a call on the court in the fourth quarter of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on March 23, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 125-116. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
NBA Offseason
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 31: Jarred Vanderbilt #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves moves after a foul shot in their game against the Utah Jazz during the first half at the Vivint Smart Home Arena December 31, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah, NBA Offseason: Top 5 most underrated moves so far this summer. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

NBA Offseason: Top 5 most underrated moves so far this summer – 2. Utah Jazz acquire Jarred Vanderbilt

Speaking of the Gobert trade, the Utah Jazz scored a ransom of picks and players for giving up their longtime big man. One of the most underrated aspects of the deal – and offseason – was trading for Jarred Vanderbilt, who could serve the franchise in multiple ways.

For starters, Vanderbilt is a pretty good player. He averaged 6.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in less than 25 minutes per contest last year. He also made an impact on the defensive end, which was particularly noticeable during Minnesota’s brief jaunt in the playoffs.

Vanderbilt probably isn’t poised for superstardom, but there’s still time for him to develop as he’s just 23 years old. He’s under contract for two more years and will cost the Jazz less than $5 million per year on average.

His contract and age may make him just as valuable to the Jazz as a trade chip. Utah is clearly blowing it up, with no Gobert, no Quin Snyder, and potentially no Donovan Mitchell. It could be a few years before we take Utah seriously again.

Considering Utah’s timeline, it may be in its best interest to ship away Vanderbilt. The opportunity to do so may even be imminent.

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report noted that Vanderbilt is already drawing some interest from rival teams. Utah may very well try to flip Vanderbilt quickly or perhaps try trading him to a desperate team before next season’s trade deadline.

For all intents and purposes, Utah is blowing this thing up. For Danny Ainge and crew, it’s all about extracting as much value from its assets as possible. Trading for Vanderbilt – and perhaps then trading him away – does just that.