Ranking The Utah Jazz Offseason Trade Assets

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz have arrived in the offseason, and after a disappointing playoff exit, they have their eyes turned towards the draft, free agency, and the trade market to push their roster closer to championship contention.

With Dennis Lindsey stepping back to take a smaller role in the front office, general manager Justin Zanik and the Jazz brain trust will have plenty of options on how to improve the roster.

Let’s look at the Jazz current contracts and where they rank as assets on the trade market.

Jazz Trade Asset Ranking:

Two notable omissions from this list are the contracts of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert who are nearly untouchable for the Jazz in any trade. Both players have max contract extensions that kick in this offseason and were the main reasons for the team earning the top record in the NBA this season.

Furthermore, this list doesn’t include non-rotational players or non-guaranteed deals.

1. Joe Ingles: 1 year – $14 million

While the idea of trading Joe Ingles may seem blasphemous to many Jazz fans, the guard’s combination of production, experience, role, cost, and expiring contract give him a lot of value on the trade market.

Ingles averaged 12.1 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds for the Jazz last season while shooting a magnificent 49 percent from the floor and 45 percent from the three-point line. The veteran can play both backcourt positions, and comfortable as a starter or coming off the bench.

Jingling early ☕️#TakeNote | @joeingles7 pic.twitter.com/lq8RzSodbF

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 13, 2021

The Jazz are likely to hold onto the guard as he provides great insurance regardless of the outcome with Conley’s free agency and could continue to bring value if he chooses to sign another contract to stay in the NBA next summer.

2. Bojan Bogdanovic: 2 years – $38.2 million

Despite taking a step back in his second season with the Jazz, Bojan Bogdanovic has proven to be a lethal NBA shooter, and worthwhile starter, and a player capable of carrying a big offensive load as a number two option.

Though the forward struggles on the defensive end and is occasionally turnover prone, his knack for big scoring outputs and clutch shooting would fit on any roster in the NBA.

say it 𝓈𝓁𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇 pic.twitter.com/wzwGZoBuRR

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 13, 2021

By no means do they need to move Bogdanovic, but he could be a valuable asset for a team that is willing to flip defensive versatility which the Jazz desperately need, for a proven shooter and scorer.

3. Mike Conley: Sign And Trade

While it goes to reason that the Jazz would prefer to bring Conley back on a reasonably priced contract, getting something in return for the guard should he prefer to play elsewhere is a high priority.

Already up against the luxury tax, and having depleted their asset bank to acquire Conley in the first place, getting an asset back for Conley in a sign and trade could have big value down the line.

Even with the luxury tax hanging over their heads, the @utahjazz have options when it comes to Mike Conley this summer. @kslsports #TakeNote https://t.co/BiMTuMxn9o

— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) June 28, 2021

When the Charlotte Hornets decided they couldn’t afford to bring Kemba Walker back in free agency, they were able to acquire the contract of Terry Rozier in a sign and trade, rather than letting their franchise star leave the team for nothing in return.

Rozier has turned into a strong player for the Hornets, but could also be traded for a significant return if Charlotte feels he’s too repetitive on their roster.

If Conley opts to sign elsewhere, the Jazz could use a sign and trade to try to bring back a player or future assets.

4. Jordan Clarkson: 3 years – $40 million

Jordan Clarkson’s value would be high on the trade market coming fresh off a Sixth Man of the Year and could be viewed more favorably than both Bogdanovic’s contract and Conley in a sign and trade depending on a team’s needs.

However, as the NBA has veered more sharply towards shorter contracts for non-superstar players, Clarkson’s three years remaining the final of which is a player option may scare some teams off.

Jordan Clarkson has been named the Sixth Man of the Year Award winner!

He's the first @utahjazz player to earn the award. #takenote https://t.co/SHeFOfx8QM

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 24, 2021

Additionally, some of the guard’s warts showed in the second half of the regular season and the postseason which could scare some contending teams off on the trade market.

5. Royce O’Neale: 3 years – $27.8 million

Royce O’Neale has continued to improve throughout his four-year NBA career and was rewarded with a four-year, $36 million deal.

O’Neale is a low variance player who is a strong defender and ball mover who knocks down a few open shots per game and has proven he can play starters minutes on a playoff roster.

The forward is best as a shooter and rebounder, but sometimes hesitates to shoot the ball and doesn’t provide much as a ball-handler outside of attacking the occasional closeout. Despite his reputation, he’s not a lockdown defender, but he’s by far the Jazz best perimeter defender.

O’Neale would have value on every NBA roster but might fit best with the Jazz roster.

6. 3oth Pick In The Draft

The last pick in the first round of the NBA Draft is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the pick comes with a guaranteed contract that allows a team to maintain control of the player anywhere from 3-9 years.

With the NBA draft fast approaching, here's a look at one guard who could help the @utahjazz with the 30th pick.

Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland:

Guard – @VCU_Hoops#TakeNote https://t.co/AYzOL9uOfW

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 2, 2021

On the other hand, the 31st pick in the draft gives teams the ability to negotiate other options into the contract, including the amount of guaranteed money and the length of the contract, which some teams may prefer.

Regardless, first-round picks are always a commodity, and the Jazz will get offers for the 30th pick on draft night.

7. Udoka Azubuike: 3 years – $8 million

Udoka Azubuike had a miserable rookie season after suffering a serious ankle injury during his debut with the Salt Lake City Stars in February. Additionally, he’s stuck behind Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors in the Jazz depth chart, so even if he could play, he wouldn’t get a chance to show it.

As a result, Azubuike has far more value to the Jazz as a former first-round draft pick than he would for another team looking to add a reserve center with injury concerns.

At this point, the Jazz could probably get out of his contract for a second-round pick, but that’s a terrible return on a first-round pick who still has upside and a cheap contract.

8. Derrick Favors: 2 years – $19.8 million

Unfortunately for the Jazz, Derrick Favors seems to be quickly approaching the back end of his career despite turning 30 this offseason.

The Jazz gave Favors the full three-year mid-level exception last season and while he was serviceable in his role for the Jazz this season, that money looks like it would have been better spent elsewhere.

If Favors already looks like an overpay for the Jazz, other teams will view his contract through the same lens, making him a tough player to move unless the Jazz were to include other more valuable assets in a trade.