According to Bobby Marks, the Utah Jazz are a team to watch in potential three-team deals.
From Marks:
The Hornets, Jazz and Wizards are teams to watch either in a three-team trade or a deal taking back
salary. Charlotte and Washington each has its $14.1 million non-tax midlevel exception to use in a trade. Utah has an $18.4 million trade exception.
The rumor focusing on the Jazz taking on more salary is interesting. Marks mentions the Jazz’s $18.4 million trade exception as the way Utah makes a trade happen. Clearly, the Jazz would like to bring on more draft capital as well as a player that another team is looking to shed. Based on the moves Utah has made this offseason, the type of player they want isn’t necessarily someone who improves the roster, but rather one who comes with an expiring contract and picks. Here’s a list of players who have a contract around that $18.4M range and are also on an expiring contract:
- Rui Hachimura – $18.25M – Lakers
- Zach Collins – $18.08M – Bulls
- Kevin Huerter – $17.99M – Bulls
- Daniel Gafford – $14.38M – Mavericks
- PJ Washington – $14.15M – Mavericks
There’s more out there that the Jazz could go after with long-term contracts, but these types of contracts could be interesting for Utah in a three-team trade. This type of deal might not be something the Jazz initiate, but if a team needs a third partner in a deal, Utah will be ready. A perfect example was the Luka Doncic trade, where Utah joined in and was able to acquire an asset even though they weren’t directly involved.
