Report: Jazz May Be Willing To Trade Veteran For Draft Picks

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It’s draft week, and that means the NBA trade rumor mill is heating up. With the draft serving as one of the busiest nights for trades throughout the offseason, the Utah Jazz reportedly could be shopping some of their veterans for draft picks and salary cap relief.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, NBA front office members say the Jazz could look to clear salary-cap space during Thursday’s draft in order to bring back free-agent guard Mike Conley.

“NBA executives say they suspect the Utah Jazz will have some future luxury tax concerns they may look to address on draft night, in order to resign Mike Conley,” Givony tweeted, “potentially by dangling one of their veterans, such as Joe Ingles, for a draft pick.”

NBA executives say they suspect the Utah Jazz will have some future luxury tax concerns they may look to address on draft night, in order to resign Mike Conley, potentially by dangling one of their veterans, such as Joe Ingles, for a draft pick. ESPN mock: https://t.co/VEdy8p5uV6

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 25, 2021

The Jazz have several veterans with mid-tier contracts that were highly productive for the team last season but could have value on the trade market.

Royce O’Neale, Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles, and Bojan Bogdanovic were all important members of the Jazz roster that finished with the best record in the NBA last season. Each player makes between $8.5 and $18.7 million next season and could give the Jazz financial relief in a trade that brings back a first-round draft pick.

Previously, Matt Moore of the Action Network reported the Jazz were anxious to trade Derrick Favors just one year after signing him to a three-year, nearly $30 million contract. However, due to his lack of production, the Jazz may have to attach an asset like a first-round pick with Favors’ in a trade to get out from underneath his contract.

What should @utahjazz fans make of the latest trade rumors surrounding Derrick Favors, Joe Ingles, and Bojan Bogdanovic?#takenote https://t.co/QRFAKRx5RM

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 19, 2021

Rather than sending out a first-round pick, the Jazz could opt to hold onto Favors and send out one of their more productive rotation players while bringing back an additional asset in return.

The Jazz sent the Memphis Grizzlies rookie Grayson Allen and two first-round picks in their 2019 trade to acquire the guard, including that year’s pick and a future first-rounder that will likely convey next season.

As a result, last year’s pick Udoka Azubuike is the only player on the Jazz roster on a cost-controlled rookie contract. Devoid of more established young talent, acquiring additional picks on Thursday night could clear salary-cap space to re-sign Conley while adding much-needed youth to the roster.