Utah Jazz Most 'Desirable' Assets Revealed

The Utah Jazz would have to trade off some veterans if they want to go full-tank mode.

Feb 18, 2023; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Team Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2), center Walker Kessler (24), and guard Jordan Clarkson (00) celebrate after winning the Skills Competition during the 2023 All Star Saturday Night at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Utah Jazz are positioned to take different paths entering year three of their rebuild. The oddsmakers are projecting Utah to win 29 games with the current roster heading into the 2024-25 season. However, if the Jazz trade some of their veteran pieces before or during the season, plummeting to a bottom-five team is plausible, too.

Hypothetically, if Utah decides to go full tank mode this season, what are its most tradable assets going forward? The Bleacher Report addressed that question by acknowledging every NBA franchise's most desirable assets heading into the new season.

So, who is considered the most desirable piece if made available via trade? Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson were targeted as players who could garner the most attention.

Best Trade Assets: C Walker Kessler, G Collin Sexton, G Jordan Clarkson

Untouchables: F Lauri Markkanen, G Keyonte George, F Cody Williams

"Kessler looked like an untouchable member of Utah's core following a strong rookie season, yet he was only a part-time starter in Year 2. The 23-year-old is an elite rim protector and good rebounder yet appears to be limited in his future offensive roles."

"Sexton is coming off the best season of his career and averaged 21.1 points, 5.6 assists, and shot 41.8 percent from three in 51 starts. He's done a good job of improving his shooting efficiency and regularly gives great effort on defense."

"It's surprising Clarkson is still in Utah as he's the prototypical sixth man for a title contender given his microwave scoring and improved playmaking." -- Greg Swartz

The article also pegged Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Cody Williams as untouchables, but I'm unsure about that one. It is true that Markkanen can't be traded for the foreseeable future. There's a six-month grace period after Markkanen's extension signing, during which he can't be traded. That expiration date falls after the 2025 trade deadline.

It's unlikely Williams and George will be dealt this season, but Jazz CEO Danny Ainge is in charge, so nothing's out of the realm of possibility. If an All-Star caliber player becomes available during the season to pair up with Markkanen, then all bets are off.

Kessler and Sexton are the two players on Utah's roster that could bring back a nice return if they were to hit the trade block. Sexton outperformed his contract last season. He averaged an efficient 18.7 point and 4.9 assists per game, but more importantly was Utah's most durable player. Sexton only missed four games in his second year as a Jazzman.

Sexton is owed 37.5 million over the next two years and will start the 2024-25 season at only 25 years of age. It's still uncertain where Sexton fits long-term, but Utah is in a good spot regarding the former No. 8 overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft.

Kessler is under team control for three more years. Although his trade stock may have taken a slight hit this last season, he is still underpaid, considering what he brings to the table. Kessler is a top-5 shot blocker in the league and has room to grow. If he were to be moved, the Jazz should be able to get a first-round pick in return.

Clarkson is the one name on the list that's puzzling. It shouldn't surprise anyone that Utah was unable to trade Clarkson this offseason. The former Sixth Man of the Year had a rough 2023-24 season and still has two years totaling 28.3 million left on his contract. At this stage, I wouldn't consider Clarkson an asset.

The upcoming year is sparking a lot of discussion around the water cooler. There's speculation that the Jazz might trade Kessler and Sexton, which could potentially position them as top contenders for acquiring NBA top prospect Cooper Flagg in the 2025 draft. However, both players currently meet the Jazz's needs and could be valuable assets for the team in the future. It remains to be seen what plans the Jazz have in store.

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