Over the past two seasons, the Utah Jazz have strategically adjusted their focus toward improving their draft position as the trade deadline approached.
A key part of this strategy involved trading away veteran players to enhance their chances in the draft lottery. This season, the Jazz find themselves already in the position to prioritize their draft outlook, eliminating the need for a late-season pivot. However, the team is still expected to engage in moves involving veteran players.
Among the veterans who could potentially be on the move are John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton. Each of these players has an additional year remaining on their contracts after this season, making them attractive trade options given the reasonable terms of their deals for the 2025-26 season.
Their value could draw interest from teams looking for experienced contributors, allowing Utah to acquire assets that align with their rebuilding efforts.
The Jazz are prioritizing their position in what is shaping up to be a talent-rich 2025 NBA Draft. With multiple draft picks likely at their disposal, they are focused on using this draft class to strengthen their roster for the future.
At the same time, the organization is committed to building around Lauri Markkanen, who has emerged as a cornerstone player. Due to a six-month trade restriction following his contract extension, Markkanen will remain with the team through the trade deadline, ensuring his place in Utah’s long-term plans.
This dual focus on accumulating draft assets and supporting Markkanen highlights the Jazz’s measured approach to rebuilding while maintaining flexibility to adapt as opportunities arise.
Jazz Looking To Trade Veterans Before Deadline https://t.co/PVgZGiUlir
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 1, 2024
