4 Players Jazz Could Move With NBA Trade Season Approaching

The Utah Jazz are expected to be active in this year's trade season on the heels of a woeful start.

Author:
Alex White
Publish date:
Dec 8, 2023 2:54 PM EST

In this story:

December 15 is an important date as it kicks off the unofficial start of trade season in the NBA. On that date, the majority of NBA players, including those who signed free-agent deals over the summer, will no longer have a trade restriction.

The Utah Jazz are primed to be among the most active teams on the trade market this season, as they have been since Danny Ainge took over the reins as CEO of basketball operations. Let's examine which players the Jazz could be willing to part with and a couple of destinations that make sense.

Kelly Olynyk

Utah is the fourth stop on Olynyk’s NBA journey but likely not his last. The 32-year-old would bring a lot of value to a contending team, and with an expiring salary, it doesn’t make a ton of sense for the Jazz to let him waltz into free agency next summer.

Olynyk is a great passer, and his basketball IQ has made him one of the more impactful players on this young Jazz team. While a trade would leave a void of his unique skill set, the Jazz need to open up minutes for Taylor Hendricks to blossom.

Expect there to be a lot of interest in Olynyk and his expiring $12 million salary throughout the next couple of months.

Possible fits: Celtics, Heat, Warriors, Mavericks

Jordan Clarkson

A fan favorite, Clarkson is the longest-tenured Jazzman and the lone carryover from the Mitchell-Gobert teams of the past. Clarkson is one of the unique players who cannot be traded on December 15 because of the contract extension he signed over the summer. His date for trade eligibility is January 7.

Speaking of that extension, Clarkson is making about $23 million this year; that number drops to a very team-friendly $14M for the next two seasons. Aside from everything hebrings to the table offensively, his contract will add extra incentive for a team looking to acquire him.

As for on the court, Clarkson is averaging nearly 18 points and five assists per game so far this season. His spark plug ability could prove valuable in the playoffs once again.

Possible fits: Lakers, 76ers, Warriors

Talen Horton-Tucker

The fifth-year guard is playing on an expiring $11 million contract. 'THT' has had a bit of an uneven year, but he has again showcased his ability to attack the rim off of the dribble at a high rate.

Unlike Olynyk and Clarkson, don't expect there to be a huge market for THT, but either a team looking for playmakers or one looking to unload some salary could roll the dice on his unique skillset.

Possible fits: Bulls, Spurs, Raptors

Simone Fontecchio

One of the bigger surprises of the year has been the play of the Italian forward. The 28-year-old is averaging 7.2 points per game and shooting 37.5% from deep.

Simone Fontecchio has also shown a willingness to compete on the defensive end of the court, and at 6-foot-8, he has the size to defend multiple positions. He could be a valuable 'break glass in case of emergency' option for playoff teams.

Fontecchio's expiring $3 million contract could be aggregated with other players to acquire a more expensive option if the Jazz look to go that way.

Possible fits: Cavaliers, Magic, Pelicans

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