3 Last-Minute Predictions for the Jazz Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

Kelly Olynyk Dealt to East Contender

With the amount of chatter surrounding Olynyk in the recent weeks leading up to the deadline, it would be a bit of a shock to see him stick in Salt Lake City. Many contending teams have generated interest in the 11-year league vet for their aspiring playoff pushes, and it's easy to see why. The Jazz big man has been a considerable bright spot in the second unit this year with his versatility and consistency on the offensive end.

Combine that with this being Kelly's final season under contract before he hits the open market this summer, and the stars are aligning for the front office to make a move with him. Teams like the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks have recently emerged as suitors for Olynyk, and it seems more than feasible to see this happen.

Similar to how Danny Ainge approached last year's trade deadline, I see the Jazz capitalizing on their veteran talent on the trade market to emphasize the development of the youth movement, as well as bringing in additional assets in the process. The Jazz are still invested with the chance to get a Play-In nod, so it's hard to see Olynyk getting sent to a team within the conference.

Instead, Ainge could present Olynyk in a deal within the East to help aid the future prospects of the Jazz, while also acting within Kelly's best interest to compete for a championship ring.

Talen Horton-Tucker Finds New Opportunity 

It's been made clear this season that it's time for the Talent Horton-Tucker experience to end in Utah. After rising to the top of the depth chart for game one of the year, Will Hardy has since decided to drop him outside the nightly rotation, logging DNPs in 20 of his past 24 games.

For a player trying to make the most of his contract year, giving him the chance to show out in the final half of the season on another franchise is a sensible move for both parties. Horton-Tucker is on the back end of a qualifying offer worth $10 million, which could be a trade chip for a squad needing help in the backcourt or as a component in a three-team deal.

Regardless, there are better ways to handle this situation than for to him rot on the end of the bench in Utah for the remainder of the season. The rotation is already struggling to hand out minutes, as is with Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh relegated to the G-League for the majority of the year. Therefore, the Jazz front office should make it simple and allow THT to develop elsewhere and utilize its value before it's too late. 

Jordan Clarkson Doesn't Go Anywhere

Perhaps the biggest name on the roster in trade rumors this season has been longtime Jazz veteran Jordan Clarkson. After signing onto an extension this past summer to keep him in Salt Lake City for the next three seasons, there remains a chance that the former Sixth Man of the Year will find a new home by Thursday. Various suitors around the league see value in his offensive production in the second unit and can easily bring his team-friendly contract on the books for the coming two years.

Still, if there were a trade to involve Clarkson, now might not be the perfect time to do so. By giving the extension to JC as recently as seven months ago, the front office doesn't have to feel pressured to claim value on him now since they'll have the right to trade him over the next two summers.

Clarkson brings a positive veteran presence to a young Jazz team while being one of the most productive bench scorers the league has to offer. If the right deal isn't available in the middle of the season, taking the patient approach into the offseason would seem more ideal.

If an opposing team decides to shell out an offer too tough to pass on, Ainge could very well pull the trigger on it. But, if nothing jumps off the page, fans could be in for Clarkson to stay in Salt Lake City for a while longer.

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