Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles reportedly suffered a torn left ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season. The veteran is definitely a huge loss for a team looking to go deep in the playoffs.
With Ingles done for the year, it's worth wondering what Utah will do to compensate for his absence. The Australian is a huge part of what they do as a facilitator and floor spacer on offense and providing solid defense on the other end.
The Jazz have already been looking forward to the trade deadline to add reinforcements for their playoff push. With this development, Utah might be more aggressive than ever to find someone who can cover for Ingles' loss. Here are four potential targets for the Utah Jazz following Joe Ingles' season-ending injury.
4 Jazz trade targets
Nicolas Batum is perhaps the most similar player to Ingles out of this bunch. Like the Aussie, Batum has become a terrific spot-up shooter from beyond the arc. The Frenchman has made over 40 percent of his 3-pointers over the last couple of seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Like Ingles, Batum is a capable facilitator from the forward spot. The 33-year-old is also a disciplined and lengthy defender on the other end of the floor.
This Clippers season looks like it's going nowhere with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George still sidelined. With that, L.A. might become sellers at the deadline and try to recoup their assets as they shift their focus on contending next season instead.
Batum's skillset and veteran leadership would fit any title hopeful. That's why the Jazz should do its due diligence in going after the 14-year veteran.
3. Torrey Craig
The Indiana Pacers are going nowhere this season and if they conduct a firesale at the deadline, many teams may go after Torrey Craig. Utah should pounce on the opportunity to acquire him to make up for the loss of their lefty forward.
Over the last two seasons, Craig has been part of two teams that made deep runs in the Western Conference. He played a substantial role as a 3-and-D guy for both the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference Finals appearance and the Phoenix Suns in their NBA Finals run.
Craig's numbers won't jump out the page. On the season, he is averaging 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 31.2 percent from long distance. Nonetheless, the 31-year-old is exactly what a solid, blue-collar role player looks like. He plays hard with his hustle and energy and provides just enough shooting to be a positive on the floor.
The undrafted wing checks the box as a 3-point threat and a versatile, lengthy defender on the perimeter. What he doesn't offer is the ability to make plays or create on his own due to his limited offensive game. Nonetheless, Craig is someone who the Jazz would need given their struggles defensively this season.
Another Clipper on this list, Justise Winslow would likely be a cheaper option for the Jazz if Batum proves to be too expensive for their liking.
Winslow hasn't quite lived up to the billing of being a top-10 selection in his draft class. But the 25-year old has shown flashes of the kind of player he can be when fully healthy. For the Clippers this season, Winslow is logging in just 12.5 minutes a night and averaging 4.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
The former Duke standout has shown some playmaking chops back when he was a member of the Miami Heat. In his best season as a pro in the 2018-19 season, Winslow turned in averages of 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. His mix of size, length and speed also makes him a sound and versatile defender.
1. Cory Joseph
Cory Joseph could also be a potential target for the Jazz. The veteran doesn't really have any business in playing for a team like Detroit. He would be a solid piece off the bench for a playoff team looking to make a push in the postseason.
In 37 games this season, the 30-year old is averaging 8.4 points and 3.9 assists in over 23 minutes per game.
Joseph isn't the same size as Ingles or the three aforementioned players, but he does replicate that leadership and playmaking ability they are losing from the Australian. The Canadian brings some of the postseason and championship experience he had with the San Antonio Spurs.
Ingles pretty much filled the role of back-up guard for the Jazz this season. Perhaps now would be the right time to get one and Joseph is likely the most affordable one out there.