Utah Jazz Mailbag: JP Chunga and Ryan Kostecka Address Your Questions Ahead of the Trade Deadline
The Jazz are still among the league’s most intriguing and dynamic teams with less than two weeks until the trade deadline of February 8—which also happens to be my wife’s and our first child’s due date.
Utah has the tools to make a big splash and a significant move, thanks to a wealth of draft picks and expiring contracts. However, they also have a large number of players with excellent contracts who possess skill sets that can elevate teams to new heights.
So what will the Jazz do now that this is said? Which will they be—sellers or buyers? How is the market doing? I’m a jazz digital content writer and JP Chunga, the host of the jazz podcast, and we’re here to answer all of your jazz-related queries.
I’ll pose the query that EVERYONE in Jazz Nation is dying to ask: Will the Jazz finally move? | Tooele, Utah’s Andy C.
Chunga Utah has a lot of options given their current situation. Their 14 first-round selections keep them in the running for talent. Given their current position in the play-in race, they will have lots of chances to engage in transactions.
Who do you think is most likely to be traded if the Jazz decide to make a move? | A. H. from Boise, ID
Kostecka: To be honest, it doesn’t really matter that nearly every player in Utah’s rotation has been brought up in a trade scenario during the last month. Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kelly Olynyk are, in my opinion, Utah’s most valuable assets. Given that THT and Olynyk have contracts that are about to expire, contenders may find that their skill sets enable them to advance right away.
What has changed for Utah between the trade deadlines of the previous season and this one? | Oscar S. from Whitefish, Montana
Chunga It was the pivot’s first year, and some of its building blocks are clearly visible this year. Lauri Markkanen has been an All-Star, which is beyond anyone’s expectations, and his successor has been outstanding. The Jazz cooled off after starting the previous season hot. It was the opposite this year. With this team, Clarkson has established himself in a crucial and influential role off the bench.
What happened to the Jazz last year? They struggled the rest of the season after trading Mike (sad), Vando, and Malik at the deadline. Is that still the plan for this year, or are they going to add someone to move up the standings? | Leonard D., Morgan, Utah
Kostecka: The allure of jazz is that it can go in any direction and produce a wide range of outcomes. They may be able to survive losing a player or two because they have established themselves as one of the league’s deepest teams, especially if they get some good players back. Though I’m not sure which way the Jazz will go, I’m going to assume they’ll try to qualify for the playoffs.
Not really a question about the trade deadline, but still However, does Utah want to give OKC that protected pick, which is ranked in the top 10 this year, or not? | Lila S. — Utah’s Salt Lake City
Chunga This draft has received a lot of criticism for not having the big 1A stars that previous drafts had. There is no way Victor Wembanyama is going through that door. Therefore, it’s not the end of the world to convey the pick. You could even flip one over and argue that one of those counts for this year, given how Utah used all three of its picks in the 2023 Draft (a logical leap, yes, but not an absurd one). If it comes down to that, they don’t really need the #14 overall pick.
In the event that the Jazz decide to trade someone this season, how will the previous trades of Siakim (India), OG (New York), and Rozier (Miami) effect the team? | Madison L. — Utah’s Richfield
Kostecka: In my opinion, the Jazz have benefited greatly from those trades. The most telling thing was that Rozier only received one first-round pick, which indicates that players like Clarkson and Olynyk are in demand because both will likely require at least a first-round pick. It was ridiculous that New York did not give up a first-round pick for (OG) Anunoby, but Toronto received a nice player return.
Not specifically about Jazz, but which trade do you believe could have the biggest effect on the playoffs? | American Fork, UT Elsie S.
Chunga At the moment, Terry Rozier in Miami seems to be the biggest deal. The Heat always perform well in the postseason, even though I’m not sure if he improved their offense. When things pick up in the postseason, they have another capable scorer on their team. They rank higher than Milwaukee, but lower than Philadelphia and Boston.
Is Utah a good fit for any of the players who have been made “available”? Rumors are spreading faster than any sorority or fraternity house. | Henry M. — Nevada, USA
Kostecka: To be honest, I’m not sure if anyone has really emerged who can make the kind of difference the Jazz are seeking. They are obviously building something for this season and the ones that come after, and they have a strong core. The good news is that the Jazz possess an abundance of players, draft picks, and expiring contracts to enable them to make any kind of move they desire. But according to a report I saw, the Pelicans were making Herb Jones available. I’m not sure how accurate that information is, but Hardy and the Jazz should definitely pursue that player.
