21 up-for-grabs players who may play a starring role in NBA trade deadline rumors

These players have been mentioned in trade rumors frequently.

Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans - Play-In Tournament
Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans - Play-In Tournament | Jonathan Bachman/GettyImages
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Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz

You really never know what the Utah Jazz are going to do. One minute, they're flirting with the idea of trading franchise star Lauri Markkanen, and the next they're handing him a max extension to keep him around. As usual, they'll certainly get caught up in the rumor mill one way or another, and sixth man Jordan Clarkson could be among the names brought up.

Over the last four and a half years with the Jazz, Clarkson has cemented himself as one of the best reserves in the league, putting up 17.7 points and 3.2 assists per contest. The guard took home the Sixth Man of the Year honor in 2020-21 and even earned some consideration for Most Improved that season, highlighting how strong of a year it was.

Clarkson could beef up anyone's second unit with another go-to scorer. Plenty of contenders have weaker benches that force them to play their stars hefty minutes, so the thought of adding a strong bucket-getter who can go off for 20-plus on any given night would certainly be desirable. Taking in $14.1 million this year, Clarkson is on a relatively affordable deal, making him all the more desirable.

Having just turned 32, Jordan Clarkson still has plenty of good basketball left in him.