Every team in the NBA would love to work with the Utah Jazz on a possible trade. The Jazz have so many players that can help contenders in win-now mode. They also have young players they can use in a trade for another star. Or use their draft picks to facilitate trades between other teams. On top of that, the Jazz will benefit if they are bad in the following two years. Their pick in 2025 is top-ten protected. They just extended Lauri Markaneen, so they cannot trade him until next summer.
But what about the trade deadline? How many players they can trade? While they do not have a star to trade, the Utah Jazz have plenty of role players that can contribute to winning on a contending team. Let’s talk more about Utah Jazz trade rumors.
Why the Utah Jazz Hold the Keys to the 2025 NBA Champion
Jordan Clarkson
Some might say that the time to trade Jordan Clarkson was one year ago. But he has plenty of good years. Clarkson is 32 years old and will have one more year left on his deal at $14 million. His salary makes him an attractive piece for a contending team that needs scoring off the bench. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021 and received votes for it in 2022 as well. Here is the list of teams that could use his services: Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets need someone to replace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Warriors need scoring besides Steph Curry, the Knicks could use a backup for Jalen Brunson, and the Lakers need someone to take over playmaking duties.
How the Nuggets Can Get Him
Denver has few maneuver options to replace KCP, but adding Clarkson is one. They did get Russell Westbrook, but Clarkson, at this point, is a much better player. Denver is capped and can only send as much salary as it receives. So, they will have to include Zeke Nnaji, some young players, and picks. They have four first-round picks they can use, 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2031.
How the Warriors Can Get Him
The Warriors tried to work with the Utah Jazz this summer and failed to get something done for Lauri Markkanen. Now, they might show interest in another Jazz player. Luckily for them, the price will not be as high. There are rumors that GSW will chase a big fish, like Jimmy Butler at the deadline. But if they fail to get that done, they might turn their attention to Clarkson. Sending a pick and someone like Moses Moody might get the job done.
How the Knicks Can Get Him
The Knicks spent most of their picks on Mikal Bridges. They do not have to trade for a backup point guard, but they could use one. Bridges can take some playmaking duties, but he is a forward, not a point guard. We saw he cannot be the primary ball handler and organizer in Brooklyn.
How the Lakers Can Get Him
If the Lakers ever decide to add a pick to a possible trade, the Jazz will listen. The question is, do the Lakers want to send even more goodies to Utah? The Jazz already have the Lakers pick in 2027, which is top-four protected.
John Collins
Let’s put it this way. If the Jazz does not trade John Collins at the deadline, he has a player option for next season and might decide to test the market. Honestly, he might not find a suitor willing to pay him $26 million per year, but with the cap going up, anything is possible. John Collins’ name will be in the Utah Jazz trade rumors up until the deadline.
Collins is a good forward, who improved his three-point shooting last year. He shot 37% from behind the art on 3.4 attempts. Averaging 15 points and 8.5 rebounds, Collins would be a nice addition to contenders like the Memphis Grizzlies, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
How the Cavs Can Get Him?
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a logjam at guard and center, and a deficit at the forward position.. Both teams will benefit from such a trade. Utah gets some more wings while Collins provides the Cavs with a tall floor spacer.
How the Grizzlies Can Get Him?
The Grizzlies would love to have Collins as a reliable veteran presence off the bench. They do have some young players to send in a trade, as well as their draft picks.
Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler is only 22 years old. He is a young big man who has plenty of potential left. In his first year, he finished top three in the Rookie of the Year voting. Yet, the Jazz might be willing to part ways with him for the right price. After all, they might be hunting a bigger fish this summer. No player on the Jazz, except for Markkanen, is safe from NBA trade rumors.
Several contenders could use Walker Kessler, primarily contending teams with a hole at center. Think the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Knicks. Now, one might argue that the Pelicans are not contenders, but they are a playoff team nevertheless, adding a high-quality center would certainly move them closer to contention.
How the Pelicans Can Get Him?
After failing to resign Jonas Valanciunas, the Pelicans have a huge hole they need to fill at center. Zion Williamson is not a center. Currently have Daniel Theis at the center, and a first-round pick Yves Missi as a backup big man. They have most of their draft picks, plus one from Milwaukee in 2025 and 2027, and one from Chicago in 2027 making a deal possible.
How the Lakers Can Get Him?
The Lakers will eventually have to decide whether they want to build for the future or maximize their contending years with LeBron James. The good news is Walker Kessler helps them both ways. He is a great young center that will improve even more. But is he the third star the Lakers need? Or will they hunt a bigger fish?
How the Knicks Can Get Him?
The Knicks spent most of their picks on Mikal Bridges. But they still have firsts from Detroit and Washington in 2025 and their own in 2026. They also have future second-round picks from GSW, Boston, and Minnesota. The challenge for the Knicks will be to find a centerpiece, a player the Jazz would want.
The Last Word
Until the deadline passes, Jazz trade rumors will not stop. The team has plenty of role players to offer to contending teams, as well as the ability to absorb contracts and send picks to facilitate trades.
When you put everything together, if the Jazz decide to make a move, they can swing the championship race. Imagine if the Knicks get Walker Kessler to fill their hole at center. Or if the Nuggets get Jordan Clarkson and have more scoring off the bench.
