Ranking the Likelihood of 3 Bold Jazz Trade Scenarios: From ‘No Way’ to ‘In a Heartbeat

Ranking the Likelihood of 3 Bold Jazz Trade Scenarios: From ‘No Way’ to ‘In a Heartbeat

As the NBA’s trade season heats up, speculation is already swirling around potential moves involving the Utah Jazz. With the trade window officially opening once December 15 rolls around and newly signed players become eligible for deals, the Jazz will undoubtedly be a part of the conversation. While it’s still early, rumors about Jazz players like Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton being on the trade block have sparked interest, with some trade scenarios seeming more plausible than others. Here, we’ll rank three potential trade ideas for the Jazz and assess the likelihood of each move, from “no way” to “in a heartbeat.”

1. Collin Sexton to the Brooklyn Nets: In a Heartbeat (If the Nets Are Buyers)

One of the most interesting trade scenarios for the Jazz centers on Collin Sexton, who has been mentioned as a possible target for the Brooklyn Nets. According to trade speculators, if the Nets decide to be buyers at the trade deadline and push for a playoff run, Sexton could be a smart addition. As a player who has shown potential at the point guard position, he could provide depth to a Nets team that is still figuring out its identity.

For the Jazz, moving Sexton could be a win-win situation. While Utah is in a rebuilding phase, Sexton, who hasn’t found a stable role in the rotation, could fetch an asset that helps the Jazz long-term, while also easing their cap flexibility. The Nets, with their array of contracts, have the ability to make this trade work. If they push for a postseason push and need additional backcourt help, this deal could be a no-brainer. It might not be a major splash, but if the Nets are serious about competing, expect this one to move quickly.

2. Jordan Clarkson to the Milwaukee Bucks: Logical, but Hard to Figure Out

The rumors linking Jordan Clarkson to the Milwaukee Bucks have surfaced once again. As a scoring wing with the ability to contribute right away, Clarkson seems like a perfect fit for a contending team like the Bucks, who could use another offensive spark. However, the logistics of this deal are far more complicated than the idea itself. The Bucks don’t have the luxury of aggregating contracts in trades, and Clarkson’s salary is higher than some of the Bucks’ role players, like Bobby Portis or Pat Connaughton. Trading someone like Khris Middleton or Brook Lopez for Clarkson would be a difficult pill to swallow for Milwaukee, and it’s unlikely they’d want to disrupt their core for a bench player, even one as talented as Clarkson.

For the Jazz, a Clarkson trade makes sense only if they can secure a quality asset in return—something that would be tough to come by in this scenario. While Clarkson could certainly help a contender, the Bucks’ lack of tradeable assets complicates any potential deal, making this one of the more challenging scenarios to pull off. Therefore, while the idea makes sense on paper, the execution would be tough, making this trade unlikely unless other teams get involved.

3. Brandon Ingram to the Jazz: No Way (At Least for Now)

Finally, we have the trade speculation surrounding Brandon Ingram, a player who has been linked to the Jazz in the past. The New Orleans Pelicans’ ongoing struggles have fueled rumors that Ingram could be on the move. However, while the Jazz certainly have the assets to make a deal happen, it’s hard to imagine them pursuing a trade for Ingram at this stage of their rebuild. The Jazz are in the early stages of developing a young core, and adding a player like Ingram, who would command significant resources, could complicate their future plans. Moreover, acquiring Ingram could hurt the Jazz’s chances of securing a high lottery pick, which remains a key part of their long-term strategy.

It’s more likely that the Jazz would consider pursuing Ingram in the offseason, especially when he becomes a free agent in 2025. While he’s undeniably talented, adding Ingram at this point seems counterproductive to Utah’s overall direction. Given the Pelicans’ current situation and Utah’s preference to develop its young talent, this trade scenario feels like a long shot—at least for now.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Jazz are sure to explore various options to improve their roster. Of the three trade scenarios mentioned, the most likely move involves Collin Sexton heading to the Brooklyn Nets, especially if they choose to be buyers. Meanwhile, a trade sending Jordan Clarkson to the Milwaukee Bucks makes sense on paper but would be difficult to execute due to financial and roster constraints. Lastly, while Brandon Ingram is an intriguing player, his fit with the Jazz at this stage in the rebuild is unlikely, making a trade for him seem highly improbable for the time being.