As NBA Trade Season Opens, Jazz Face Crucial Roster Decisions
With December 15 marking the first day teams can trade players who signed deals this past offseason, the NBA trade season is officially underway - and for the Utah Jazz, that means it’s time to make some tough, strategic decisions.
The Jazz are in a unique spot. They’re not quite tanking, but they’re also not pushing all-in for a playoff run.
That gray area has defined much of their post-Mitchell-Gobert rebuild, and now it’s time to decide whether to lean into development or continue treading water. If they want to hold onto their top-8 protected first-round pick and position themselves for a potential franchise-altering selection in what’s shaping up to be a loaded draft, then clearing the runway for their young talent should be the priority.
Let’s break down the players most likely to be moved - not just because of their contracts, but because of how their minutes are impacting the team’s long-term outlook.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk: Productive, but Blocking Development
Svi Mykhailiuk has been quietly solid this season. He’s playing the third-most minutes on the roster, shooting 47% from the field and 37% from deep - numbers that would make him a useful addition to any playoff-hopeful team looking for shooting off the bench.
On a $3.6 million expiring deal, he’s an easy trade chip. Whether it’s a straight-up deal or fitting into a trade exception, there’s a market for a guy like Svi.
But here’s the bigger issue: every minute he plays is a minute that could be going to a young wing who’s part of the Jazz’s future. If the front office is serious about building something sustainable, they can’t afford to prioritize short-term production from a journeyman veteran over developmental reps for their young core.
Kevin Love: Still Has Value, But Time to Move On
Kevin Love becomes trade-eligible on December 15, and while he’s been a steady presence on the floor, the Jazz need to ask themselves what his role truly is in this phase of the rebuild. Love is shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.8% from three - respectable numbers for a stretch big who still rebounds well and brings championship experience.
But he’s also 37, and his $4.1 million expiring contract is the kind of deal that contenders love to scoop up for playoff depth. Meanwhile, Taylor Hendricks - a key part of Utah’s future - is stuck behind him in the rotation.
If the Jazz want to see what they have in their young forward, Love’s minutes need to be freed up. There’s no reason to delay that evaluation process any longer.
Kyle Anderson: Valuable Veteran, But Not in Utah’s Timeline
Kyle Anderson has been a reliable rotation piece - the kind of do-it-all forward who can stabilize a second unit. He’s making $9.2 million this season and next, and that contract could be attractive to a team looking for a versatile veteran without a long-term commitment.
But again, the question isn’t whether Anderson can help a team - it’s whether he should be helping this team. With both Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams needing floor time, Anderson’s presence is more of a roadblock than a solution.
If the Jazz can flip him for a young player who’s fallen out of favor elsewhere, it’s a move worth exploring. Even if the return is modest, the real value comes from opening up minutes for their prospects.
Jusuf Nurkic: The Big Domino That Could Shift the Season
Trading Jusuf Nurkic might be the most impactful move Utah could make - not just for the return, but for how it shapes the rest of the season. Nurkic is on a $19 million expiring contract, and that kind of financial flexibility is gold to teams looking to shed salary or reset their books.
He’s also been a stabilizing force in the middle, and that’s precisely the problem if the Jazz are trying to keep their draft pick. Moving him would thin out the frontcourt rotation and likely lead to more losses - which, let’s be honest, might be part of the plan. If Utah can extract a young player with upside - someone like Jonathan Kuminga, for example - while also helping a contender clear money, it’s a win-win.
The Bigger Picture: It’s Time to Pick a Lane
The Jazz can’t afford to stay in the middle any longer. They have young talent that needs minutes, a valuable draft pick that’s only theirs if they land in the top 8, and several veterans who could help playoff teams right now. That’s a rare combination - and one that gives Utah real leverage in the trade market.
But leverage only matters if you use it. Whether it’s moving Mykhailiuk, Love, Anderson, or Nurkic, the goal should be clear: prioritize development, protect the pick, and build toward something bigger.
The Jazz have the pieces. Now it’s about putting them in the right places.