NBA Trade Rumors: Utah Jazz unlikely to trade Jordan Clarkson?
NBA Trade Rumors: The Utah Jazz may end up opting against trading Jordan Clarkson at the deadline.
The natural next step for the Utah Jazz after they decide to trade their two franchise players (Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert) during the offseason was always to continue to sell off their veteran pieces heading into this season. And we began to see that with the Patrick Beverley and Bojan Bogdanovic moves.
Although, there appears to be a chance that the Jazz isn’t quite ready to continue blowing up the roster by trading all their veterans. According to a recent report, the Jazz may not be ready to trade Jordan Clarkson.
In a recent episode of The Lowe Post, Zach Lowe indicates that Clarkson is the most unlikely veteran on the Jazz’s roster that could be moved by the deadline. In other words, the Jazz like Clarkson and he may stay for now.
Jordan Clarkson has emerged as a key layer for the rebuilding Utah Jazz
After Utah’s reshuffling – or blowing up – of their roster during the offseason, Clarkson was vaulted into a starting role for the Jazz this season – a role he has not had since his second or third season in the league.
However, through the first week of the season, Clarkson has excelled in such a role for the Jazz. Through the first five games of the season, Clarkson is averaging 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent shooting from 3-point range.
To say he’s gotten off to a hot start would be an understatement.
At the age of 30, Clarkson is at an interesting point in his career. He could still be in the prime of his career but there have to be questions as to whether he fits in the Jazz’s timeline. Though, it does appear that the Jazz may view him as more of a bridge toward the next era of Utah basketball.
Either way, it’s an interesting scenario for the Jazz. Clarkson has a $14 million player option for next season but if he continues to perform at this rate, you can almost be assured that he’s going to opt-out of that final season in hopes of getting one last big payday.
And I’m not sure Utah should jump at the opportunity to give him the money he’s looking for. Maybe the Jazz has fallen in love with their quick start to the season or maybe this is all just posturing to raise the asking price.
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If Clarkson does hit the trade market, he should be a hot commodity. If he doesn’t, he will have a chance to have a career year in Utah.