Over the past week or so, more intel has emerged about the Utah Jazz's plans around the trade deadline. Their commitment to the tank would make anyone guess that they will be sellers at the deadline, and every insider has revealed that.
NBA Insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported how badly the Jazz want to sell on Stein's Substack. Note that they are not the only NBA team that will have this approach at the deadline.
"Washington, Utah and Brooklyn, league sources say, are the primary teams that have been established leaguewide as clear-cut sellers."
"'When you call them, they're willing to make a deal right now,' said one rival executive."
There wasn't any further new details on who the Jazz are willing to part with, though that truly sets the tone for what to expect as the NBA Trade Deadline inches closer and closer. Danny Ainge and co. may not play hard to get as much as they are willing to settle for the best bid they can get.
The Jazz have signaled their youth development and tanking for a high draft pick like Cooper Flagg is priority numero uno. They may keep Lauri Markkanen for the time being, but that's because he's good enough that it might not be worth parting ways with him just yet if they draft the right young players to put around him.
That means some of their veterans could likely get the axe if they find the right deal for them. In all honesty, both sides are probably better off parting ways, as the Jazz will likely want their young players to get more time while those veterans are better off using their services for teams trying to win.
So, then why haven't they been traded yet?
December 15 could be the real turning point
The usual suspects have been named as potential trade targets:
-John Collins
-Collin Sexton
-Jordan Clarkson
-Walker Kessler (it's hard to fathom that he's available after the season he's had)
In fact, it's come out just how available both Clarkson and Sexton are. What could change a lot is who could join them on the market when the December 15 date comes. When that happens, Drew Eubanks, Patty Mills, and Svi Mykhailiuk will become trade-eligible.
Eubanks appeals enough as one of the league's sturdier backup centers, while Mills and Mykhailiuk's contracts can help match salaries while also being affordable deals for teams to absorb. Once they're put into the equation, that could open up plenty of deluxe package opportunities.