After going 31-51 last season and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, the Utah Jazz appeared to be ready to rebuild. With Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler both mentioned in trade speculations, it appeared that the Jazz would be able to add even more draft money to their already abundant supply.
Instead, Utah turned, extending Markkanen’s contract for another five years at a cost of $218 million. This means he can’t be traded until next summer, and the Jazz are satisfied to stick with their core and try to compete sooner rather than later. They traded away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022, gaining a plethora of draft picks, giving them the ability to build organically.
With excellent talent currently on the roster, the Jazz are just a few steps away from becoming a real playoff club. However, they are not quite ready to go all-in, and with a stacked 2025 NBA Draft class, expect Utah to tank one more season before making a push for it the following season.
Before the February trade deadline, here are three moves the Jazz should consider to strengthen their future while without adding too many victories to their record.
The Utah Jazz have added backcourt depth. Walker Kessler has been linked to the New York Knicks.
After selecting Kyle Filipowski 32nd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Jazz added to an already congested frontcourt. The Duke product will join John Collins, Kessler, Taylor Hendricks, and Drew Eubanks. The New York Knicks have been linked to Kessler all summer, and as Mitchell Robinson’s injury concerns persist, the Knicks and Jazz may be closer to reaching an agreement.
Unfortunately for Utah, New York traded away their valuable first-round selection picks to obtain Mikal Bridges. With few draft assets, the Knicks can only deal a strong young player. In this deal, the Knicks get a quality, defensive-minded backup center who can play extended minutes in the event Mitchell goes down with an injury. Of course, quality players don’t come cheap, and the Jazz receives a highly protected pick that is unlikely to convey, as well as a solid young point guard who will spread the floor for the second unit. If Tyler Kolek breaks out in his rookie season, Miles McBride will likely become disposable, and the Knicks will look to upgrade in an area of need. Orlando Magic Add Bench Depth Jordan Clarkson is not long for Utah
Jordan Clarkson ‘s trade value is cooling, but he is a talented offensive player who is keeping the Jazz out of the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. While he is not the most efficient player–shooting only 29.4 percent from three last season–he is one of the best sixthmen in the NBA. Clarkson is not known as a defensive stopper, but if a team with an established defensive identity were to add him, they could work around his weaknesses.
The Orlando Magic ranked fourth in bench points last season, but their second unit struggled to get shots off from deep. By adding Clarkson, the Magic get one of the best microwave scorers in the NBA, helping them as they enter win-now mode in the Eastern Conference. The Jazz, meanwhile, get worse for the upcoming season but add a developmental project that could thrive in 2025-26, once Utah has all the pieces in place. It’s unlikely that the Jazz would get a first-round pick for Clarkson, although Jett Howard is not a bad piece. He only made 18 appearances in Orlando last season but lit it up in the G League, averaging 18.5 points on 37.7 percent shooting from three. Wendell Carter Jr. is included for salary purposes and could be subbed for Goga Bitadze , although the Jazz don’t need another big man.
Carter Jr. might be the odd man out after the Magic signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and would provide some veteran leadership in Utah without adding wins.
Oklahoma City Thunder Finally Trade Some Draft Picks
The Thunder go all-in on their current roster
The Oklahoma City Thunder owns 16 potential first-round draft picks and another 16 in the second round. They won’t be able to use all of their options because time is running out on how they want to spend them. The Thunder also have a lot of young talent on team-friendly contracts, but with a star core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, as well as high-end role players Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder may have to stop adding young talent and instead go all-in with their current core.
Aside from Holmgren and Hartenstein, the Thunder do not have any big frontcourt players who are used to playing extended minutes and may be wanting to support their region of need. Last season, John Collins was best known for being used as a springboard by Anthony Edwards, but he finished with an effective 15.1 points and 8.5 boards. Collins, a 6-9 forward, is athletic and capable of playing down low while also spacing the floor. Last season, he shot 37.1% from deep. While Danny Ainge would likely expect a first-round pick for Collins, they instead get three second-rounders they may package in a future deal, as well as three intriguing youngsters. Isaiah Joe was a sharpshooter last season, making 41.6 percent of his threes, but he is buried on the depth chart. Kenrich Williams played fewer than 15 minutes per game last season and is undersized for his position.
Dillon Jones is the genuine bargain of his trade. At Weber State, he was regarded as the most physical player in the draft class, and he is anticipated to be a versatile forward in the NBA. Jones may get lost in the shuffle as the Thunder begin to hand out rookie deals, and playing for a more flexible team would be great for his growth.
In return, the Thunder receive a quality, veteran power forward who can propel them to their first NBA title in OKC.
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