Insider Reveals How Jazz CEO Danny Ainge Changed the NBA Trade Market

When the Utah Jazz decide to go all-in on a trade, it's not going to be cheap.

It’s that time of the year when the NBA rumor mill is taking center stage. The Utah Jazz are on the fast track and have entered the conversation of potentially being buyers in the second year of their rebuild. 

So, when an opportunity to land an All-Star does present itself, what would Utah possibly have to give up in return? Jazz play-by-play broadcaster Craig Bolerjack shared his thoughts on what compensation could look like in a potential exchange when he joined ESPN 700’s The Bill Riley Show.

“So, Danny [Ainge] kind of set the stage for what you’re going to get in return for a high level player. Gobert — a 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, that was quite a haul. Maybe that kind of set the precedence for a lot of teams or GMs that think what their players are worth and a lot of teams aren't willing to give up that much.”

Indeed, Utah's trades in the summer of 2022 raised some eyebrows, but the precedence may have been set before Ainge arrived in Salt Lake City. In 2019, the New Orleans Pelicans sent three players and three draft picks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. 

The players involved were a pair of No. 2 overall picks, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart. The Jazz may have received more picks in their deals, but getting two former No. 2 picks in return was unprecedented at the time.

The Lakers did get a championship out of their deal, but there are some dark days waiting with LeBron James and Davis clearly out of their prime. The Lakers major rebuild could start next season.

The trade that may end up being the biggest heist in NBA history was the exchange involving the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In exchange for future Hall-of-Famer Paul George, the Thunder received:

• G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• F Danilo Gallinari
• Miami's 2021 unprotected first-rounder (Tre Mann taken at No. 18)
• Clippers’ 2022 unprotected first-rounder (Jalen Williams taken at No. 12)
• Right to 2023 first-round swap with Clippers (not conveyed)
• Clippers’ 2024 unprotected first-rounder
• Heat’s 2025 protected first-rounder for 1-14 (unprotected for 2026)
• Right to 2025 first-round swap with Clippers
• Clippers’ 2026 unprotected first-rounder

The George trade happened in the summer of 2019, and the Thunder are clearly the winners. The Clippers did make it to the Western Conference Finals in 2021, but they ultimately lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games. The Thunder are set up for years, and winning multiple championships is in play.

One could definitely argue that players like Davis and George should get more in return than what Donovan Mitchell and Gobert fetched. George and Davis were considered top-10 players in the league at that time, while Gobert and Mitchell were in the top-20. 

Either way, it won't be cheap when Utah decides to make a significant upgrade. Bolerjack brought up the trade last week involving Pascal Siakam and the rumors of Washington Wizards guard Kyle Kuzma being dealt as examples of what may be coming.

"You know what, Pascal Siakam was moved for players and also three first-round picks. Washington [Wizards], I believe in reports — they would like to have more than that for Kyle [Kuzma]. I’m not sure if they’re going to get that." 

The point about giving up the future for fringe All-Star talent is well-taken. Siakam has only made two All-Star games in eight years, while Kuzma has yet to make an appearance. Clearly, Ainge has contributed to the expectations of compensation in today’s NBA when it comes to acquiring elite talent.

The GM’s around the league should note how these types of trades have panned out for the teams that have gone all-in. Only a handful of players should garner such returns, and opportunities rarely present themselves.

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