Following Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge’s remarks last week regarding the team’s potential summer acquisition, rumors of an offseason roster overhaul are beginning to circulate. The most recent comes from NBA writer Dan Favale of The Bleacher Report, who suggested that the Jazz might trade for Minnesota Timberwolves PF Jaden McDaniels in exchange for Collin Sexton, who is now the starting shooting guard.
For the upcoming campaign, the Utah Jazz will require a great deal of defense support. That’s not up for debate,” wrote Favale. The idea that the Jazz were the weakest defensive team in the league only truly gained traction in the second part of the season with the trades of Simone Fontecchio, Kelly Olynyk, and Ochai Agbaji by the club. The squad lost its defensive edge and disintegrated fast without those three guys and the rookies playing more minutes.”
Utah’s starting lineup would undoubtedly be far more balanced if McDaniels were included in the starting five as it now is. On defense, Sexton and Keynonte George, the starting backcourt for the Jazz, don’t present much of a challenge. Although they don’t play the same position, Utah would undoubtedly become a more fearsome defensive team if they traded McDaniels for an offensive spark plug like Sexton.
Getting McDaniels through a trade, though, wouldn’t be inexpensive. In October 2023, the Timberwolves signed him to a 136 million dollar contract extension that would last for five years. That represents a significant investment for a player who shot below average from beyond the arc last season and only averaged 10.5 points. During the 2023–24 campaign, McDaniels made just 33.7% of his three-point attempts.
Additionally, the Jazz are currently working on developing Taylor Hendricks, a first-round pick in 2023. Hendricks’ rookie season was hit and miss, but it might be too soon to trade for McDaniels because the Jazz may already have a guy on their roster who is a stronger floor spacer on offensively and a force on defense than McDaniels. The Jazz should wait at least a year to acquire a player that would impede Hendricks’ progress before making a trade. Looking at Utah’s roster, I can see that improving their backcourt is their biggest need. It would be very beneficial to add a player with length and defensive ability who can play in a tandem with George. If Utah decides to split ways with Jordan Clarkson this summer, Sexton would also become the team’s sixth man.
The Timberwolves would be better off making this trade given the rise of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. This postseason, the former Jazz player is playing for more over 30 minutes every game. After the 2019–20 season, he will be a free agency. In addition to providing Minnesota with some cap relief, trading McDaniels raises the possibility of long-term Alexander-Waler lockup. Fans of the Jazz should anticipate a constant stream of speculations this summer because of the rebuilding Jazz team and Ainge’s postseason comments.