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The Utah Jazz have gotten off to a rough start early on in the 2023-24 NBA season. Utah is 25th in net rating (-6.4) and is performing on both ends like a team that's destined for a top-5 pick rather than a playoff spot. While it's still early and the sample size is relatively small, it seems noteworthy that the Jazz (7-13) have four wins against the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies but have struggled mightily against playoff contenders.
The writing on the wall for the Jazz is that this team needs to be a seller. While last year's run was impressive, Danny Ainge and company should continue to play for the future and accumulate as many assets as possible. Veterans like Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk could be valuable pieces for a contender and it seems like the right time for Utah to cash out and fully embrace a rebuild. Utah has multiple first-round picks coming down the pipe, and while acquiring more picks should be the focus, there are young players out there for the Jazz to target in deals as well.
Let's take a look at three realistic young players the Jazz could target in a trade early on this season.
Three young trade targets for the Jazz
3. AJ Griffin, F, ATL
One of the best market inefficiencies to target is young players in their second year who have appeared to fall out of the rotation. AJ Griffin is 20 years old and only playing 9 minutes a game so far this season for Atlanta, so he certainly fits the bill. Griffin was the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and is blocked to playing time in Atlanta. If the Hawks wanted to upgrade elsewhere (perhaps adding a stretch big in Kelly Olynyk to play with Onyeka Okongwu or give the starters a different element offensively) the Jazz could sneak away with a young, talented wing shooter who would be a good fit with the young core moving forward.
Something along the lines of Olynyk and Kris Dunn for Patty Mills, AJ Griffin and a future second-round pick should be able to get the job done.
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2. Cam Whitmore, F, HOU
Cam Whitmore was the Summer League MVP and flashed a ton of potential while he was at Villanova. The Rockets used the 20th overall selection to take him, so it's not like Whitmore would come cheap in a deal. That being said, Houston has made it clear they want to win right now, as the signings of Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet have indicated. The Rockets can defend with the league's best teams, but the second unit goes through scoring lulls pretty frequently.
Enter Jordan Clarkson, one of the league's most prolific scoring options in the second unit. Clarkson would immediately provide a big boost to Houston's offense, and the Rockets have expendable expiring deals (Jeff Green, Victor Oladipo) to acquire his salary. The Jazz would want something in return, of course, and Whitmore hasn't been in the rotation early on for the Rockets. This isn't a deal the Rockets should make, but if ownership is pushing “win-now” maneuvers, it's something perhaps the Rockets would consider. Whitmore would be a terrific acquisition for the Jazz, who need talented young wings to complement Lauri Markkanen.
1. DeAnthony Melton, G, PHI
DeAnthony Melton isn't as young as some of the other players on this list at 25 years old, but he's the top of adaptable guard who can take on a variety of different roles and plays with the kind of energy that would make him a perfect fit with Utah's young core. The 76ers are obviously all in and could look to combine some of their recently acquired expiring deals (Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris) to acquire a big piece like a Jordan Clarkson or even John Collins.
If the Jazz explored a trade with the Sixers, stealing away Melton would be a big defensive boost. Melton is also on an expiring deal, but he should be low profile enough to where Utah could potentially sign him back for a reasonable contract. It's a risk, but Melton is a playoff-type role player (think along the lines of Josh Hart) who would have a lot of value no matter which direction Utah eventually chooses to go.
