The Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors are getting all the attention in the Western Conference, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers given that they have not met the expectations placed upon them at the beginning of the NBA season, but what about the Utah Jazz?
After finishing with the best record in the league last season and being the 1-seed in the Western Conference, the Jazz did not make it out of the Western Conference Semifinals, but they basically returned their entire roster and even added some more talent.
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles all returned for the Jazz this season and Utah added the likes of Hassan Whiteside and Rudy Gay for even more depth.
36 games into the 2021-22 season and Utah is 26-10, just 2.5 games back from the Phoenix Suns for second-place in the Western Conference standings. Being rated first in offensive rating this season and sixth in defensive rating, the Jazz once again have one of the most balanced teams in the entire league, but something seems to be missing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Utah Jazz To Bolster Title Chances
Now in his 5th NBA season, Donovan Mitchell has continued to transcend into one of the league’s brightest, young stars, Rudy Gobert is still a Defensive Player of the Year talent, but the Jazz have looked vulnerable at times this season.
Only playing about 8-9 guys deep at times, teams have begun to figure out how to contain role players like Bogdanovic, Ingles and Clarkson on this Jazz roster, which has led to them having some very underwhelming performances this season.
They are still one of the best teams in the league, but in order for the Jazz to cross the threshold of becoming a true championship contender out West, they are going to need to look to add a little bit more talent to their roster.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Utah Jazz To Bolster Title Chances
Being $18.1M over the tax line for this season, Utah does not have the capability to absorb a big contract, but they do have some moveable contracts. Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Ingles have both played great over the years and are vital parts of this team’s rotation, but they are making a combined $30.9M this season.
Moving either one or both of these veterans for another impactful player to pair with Mitchell, Gobert and Conley could be the difference in this team either losing early in the playoffs again or making the NBA Finals.
So who could the Jazz possibly trade for? Long-time NBA executive Danny Ainge is now with the Utah Jazz and if we know anything about Ainge, it is that he is going to be aggressive in his search for more talent.
