The Utah Jazz are coming off of a thrilling victory over the Dallas Mavericks in their first home win of the season.<\/p>\n
It was a team effort by the Jazz, who had six scorers \u2014 John Collins<\/a> (28), Jordan Clarkson<\/a> (20), Collin Sexton<\/a> (16), Keyonte George<\/a> (14), Kyle Filipowski<\/a> (14), and Lauri Markkanen<\/a> (13) \u2014all scoring in double-figures. In the process, the Jazz were able to go up by as many as 16 points<\/a>, which occurred early in the fourth quarter. Miscues from Clarkson down the stretch were the primary reason the game ended up going down to the wire. Nonetheless, it was one \u2014if not the \u2014best performances from the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year this season.<\/p>\n Now the question is if Utah\u2019s veterans \u2014namely Clarkson, Collins, and Sexton \u2014will do or are doing enough to boost their trade value.<\/p>\n At one point during the 2024 offseason, Clarkson seemed like the player the Jazz were most likely to move.<\/p>\n His 2023-24 campaign was frankly underwhelming, both on film and on the stat sheet. In 55 games, he had managed averages of 17.1 points and 5.0 assists per game but shot just 41.3 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from deep. He ended up losing his starting spot to Sexton because of his inefficiency and ineffectiveness on defense.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no wonder why he didn\u2019t have a trade market<\/a> in the summer.<\/p>\n It\u2019s early, but Clarkson hasn\u2019t done much to boost his trade stock. In nine games, he\u2019s averaging 15.0 points and 3.9 assists per game, lower production that matches a decrease in minutes. What\u2019s concerning is that he\u2019s shooting just 40.0 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three. His defense, particularly when he\u2019s off-ball, has improved though.<\/p>\n A team looking for an offensive-minded guard who\u2019s constantly on the attack, or just extra firepower in their second unit, could have interest in Clarkson. Multiple contenders with weaker benches come to mind, like the Mavs and Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n Collins has long been rumored to be<\/a>\u00a0on the trading block.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old has been on a downside since his career season with the Atlanta Hawks in 2019-20, when he posted 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.1 percent from three. In 2023-24, Collins averaged 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game while converting 37.1 percent of his threes. Yet, while the production was solid, he often looked out of sorts.<\/p>\n Collins is a great vertical and straight-line athlete but when asked to cover ground laterally, his defensive shortcomings get exposed. Unfortunately, he\u2019s undersized at center at 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, and that often shows up too. This season, he\u2019s played center more often, so his biggest challenge is banging around with the big boys. However, he\u2019s a high energy player, and his motor helps him overcome his limitations to some extent.<\/p>\n Those concerns aside, Collins\u2019s shot-selection and decision-making were questionable at the start of the 2024-25 season. Still, he\u2019s been picking up his game as of late. He\u2019s now averaging 18.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while knocking down 37.1 percent of his threes.<\/p>\n Whether he\u2019s a starter or sixth man, he could help contenders looking to fill a frontcourt void. Teams like the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers come to mind.<\/p>\n Sexton is perhaps the most interesting case. Though Clarkson is a fan favorite, Sexton has developed a bit of a cult following since his days with the Cleveland Cavaliers.<\/p>\n His detractors have criticized his understanding of the finer points of the game. His supporters have celebrated his statistical success and high energy approach. The truth is always somewhere in the middle. Sexton was never as behind the curve with his basketball IQ as was suggested. Yet, he wasn\u2019t polished enough for a team desperate to escape LeBron James\u2019s enormous shadow.<\/p>\n By the time Sexton left the Cavs, his reputation had been tainted so much that Jazz head coach Will Hardy admitted to evaluating him off of preconceived notions<\/a>. There\u2019s no doubt that it\u2019s also affected his trade value. However, at least three contenders \u2014the Bucks, Lakers, and New York Knicks\u2014are rumored to have had interest in him over the last year.<\/p>\nJazz Veterans Beginning To Boost Trade Value<\/h2>\n
Jordan Clarkson<\/h3>\n
John Collins<\/h3>\n
Collin Sexton<\/h3>\n