Report: Jazz Have 'Strong Suitor' in Jarred Vanderbilt Trade

Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt’s time in Salt Lake City could be coming to an end.

According to The Athletic's NBA insider Shams Charania, Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt may be on his way out of Salt Lake City heading into the February 9 trade deadline. Charania dished the details of the Portland Trail Blazers' interest in Vanderbilt in a video via Twitter.

“The Portland Trail Blazers have emerged as a strong suitor for Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt. Portland is one of the few teams showing interest in Vanderbilt, who appears increasingly likely to be dealt ahead of the February 9th trade deadline," Charania reported. 

Western Conference playoff contender emerges as strong suitor for Utah’s Jarred Vanderbilt: pic.twitter.com/WMzNyGEVzS

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2023

Vanderbilt going to Portland does make sense on the surface. The Trail Blazers lack players who can make an impact on the game, who don’t require touching the ball on every possession. 

With ball-dominant guards Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons doing the heavy lifting in regard to scoring, the Trail Blazers could benefit from having someone with Vanderbilt’s skill set.

Also, with the emergence of Walker Kessler, the Jazz may not have room for another player that’s not a three-point threat. Vanderbilt has issues spacing the floor in half-court offensive sets and could find a minute reduction with Kessler on the court more.

Vanderbilt has a contract that runs through 2024 and provides value, but is there enough to garner a first-round pick back? That’s up for debate, but it only takes one team to pull the trigger.

It will be interesting to see what Jazz executive Danny Ainge has up his sleeve leading up to Thursday.

Stay tuned.

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