The Utah Jazz continue to prioritize the long view. They started last season 27-26 and got off to a similarly hot start this year. They began the 2023-24 campaign an even 26-26 through their first 52 games. But, like last season, the Jazz opted to become sellers at the trade deadline and add to their trove of future draft picks.
A year ago, they dealt Mike Conley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley and got a future first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in return. This year, they shipped Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons and Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji to the Toronto Raptors.
The Jazz slid into the top ten of the 2023 NBA Draft and are on pace for a similar fall this year. They currently hold the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after shifting their priorities to their young core. Utah's actions have shown that they want to keep adding young players and draft picks and aren't afraid to trade veterans to do so. That could make someone like Jordan Clarkson a potential trade candidate in the 2024 offseason.
Jordan Clarkson, Guard
Clarkson has been a really solid player for Utah over his four and a half years there. His play has really elevated last year under new head coach Will Hardy though. He averaged a career-high 20.8 points per game last season as well as 4.4 assists on solid efficiency (51.9% effective field goal percentage). Clarkson did all of this in a new starter mode after spending the majority of his career as a sixth-man spark plug scorer off the bench.
This year wasn't Clarkson's best, however. Although he is averaging a career-high five assists per game, his scoring and shooting has dipped. He went from 20.8 points per game a year ago to 17.1 in 2023-24. Clarkson's 41.3% field goal percentage, 29.4% three-point percentage, and 46.9% effective field goal percentage are all career lows.
That dip in play is alarming, especially since Utah is already stocked up with guards. The Jazz acquired Collin Sexton when they traded Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton was hurt for most of last season, but he has played arguably his best ball of his career this year.
He's averaging 18.8 points per game and 4.9 assists (a career-high. Sexton has done this on robust 49.4% shooting from the field and 39.7% from deep. His 55.6% effective field goal percentage is the best in his career among seasons he's played at least 50 games. He has improved tremendously this year.
Collin Sexton has had 10 straight games of scoring 20 or more points
Hope people can appreciate the success that this season has been for the Young Bull pic.twitter.com/1nHgEQi8CP
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) March 30, 2024
In addition to Sexton, Utah also has seen flashes of brilliance from rookie first-rounder Keyonte George. George's play has been up and down, but that's typical for a rookie. George's playmaking has really shined as a rookie. He's averaging 4.5 assists per game to just 2.4 turnovers.
He's also been able to provide a scoring punch both with and without the ball. It's led to some big games from the former Baylor Bear.
Keyonte George vs Heat
31 PTS
4 REB
4 AST
12/23 FG#TakeNote L pic.twitter.com/30kEqWA901— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) March 3, 2024
Utah already has a starting caliber backcourt in tow. That's not to mention they also have Kris Dunn, who provides a necessary change up with his defense and ability to run the offense, as well. Talen Horton-Tucker and another rookie Brice Sensabaugh also have skillsets worth investing in.
Clarkson is making just over $14 million in each of the next two seasons. It's not a big number for a team looking for a scoring guard who can also spread the floor. He will have plenty of trade value. If history is any indication, the Jazz will at least look to see what they can get for him.
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