The Utah Jazz have once again been playing like one of the better teams in all of basketball during the first two months of the season. They are currently 24-9 and hold the third seed in the Western Conference and have the third-best record in all of the NBA.
This isn't anything new for the Jazz as they have been one of the best teams in the regular season for the past few years. The issue with Utah is that they usually do not succeed in the playoffs and get knocked out much earlier than many people expect them to after the season that they have.
There aren't many areas that the Jazz can improve on in terms of going out and getting a player besides going out and getting that second star as well as getting somebody who could be a defensive-minded wing. They have a lot of talent on the roster and they certainly have the number one superstar in Donovan Mitchell who can go out and help a team win a championship. Factor in that Utah also has a guy like Rudy Gobert who can be the anchor of a defense and they are set up almost perfectly. They also have some incredible role players including Mike Conley, Joe Ingles, Jordan Clarkson, and others. There aren't many options for them to trade but they certainly do need some players and if they can get back a second star, it would make sense for them to start trading some of their guys.
The reality of the situation is that Utah didn't really make any moves this offseason so they probably won't make too many during the NBA Trade Deadline because they must feel like they have enough with their current roster. This could definitely be the case and they could have just gotten some unfortunate luck the past few seasons but they do need to eventually go out and get someone because it clearly isn't working with just what they have.
In order for Utah to get into the position to win an NBA title, they might have to make some tough decisions at the NBA Trade Deadline. Let's take a look at three players that the Utah Jazz should think about trading in order to get back that second star or a defensive wing who can help come in and be an immediate impact.
Utah Jazz Trade Deadline
3. Bojan Bogdanovic
For some odd reason, Bogdanovich's name has been brought up a few times in terms of trades. It makes sense when looking at the Jazz roster because they already have plenty of guys who can stretch the floor and he is also on an expensive contract that could get back someone of value.
Bogdanovich has been one of those guys the past few seasons that Utah has looked for in terms of offense and he always is a spark off the bench or as a starter, if he ever does start. It would be tough to justify them trading him, but with how expensive he is and how good of a 3-point shooter he is, it would make sense that they do decide to trade him. Plenty of teams are going to be looking for a lockdown 3-point shooter at the trade deadline and since Utah already has a few of those guys, it wouldn't make sense to keep him around for much longer.
2. Hassan Whiteside
Hassan Whiteside has actually been playing some decent basketball behind Rudy Gobert as the center for this Jazz team. He's averaging 7.8 points per game with 6.6 rebounds and also has the 16th best PER in all of basketball. The reality of the situation is that if Utah wants to have any success in the playoffs, Rudy Gobert is going to have to pay 38 plus minutes and night. There isn't necessarily a reason to have Hassan Whiteside still on the team but he does offer some valuable minutes and can play seven to 10 minutes a night in the playoffs.
With how well he is playing this year, it would make sense if they decide to get rid of him because they could trade him when his value is higher than it would ever usually be. It would be shocking to see Utah get rid of him but if they can get back a nice role piece that they feel will be better suited for their playoff roster, it would make sense.
1. Eric Paschall
Eric Paschall is definitely a good player and somebody who can once again play 15 + minutes a night in the playoffs. He isn't necessarily that defensive-minded forward that the Jazz really need and since he is still so young and has a lot of potential, it could make sense to get rid of him now for a player who can come in and make an immediate impact.
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