‘Registered trade interest’ in Jazz’s Clarkson and Olynyk, according to NBA trade rumors
The Knicks president, Leon Rose, may try to test the trade waters in an effort to strengthen the team’s roster in preparation for a real title run, given their recent proximity to the elite of the Eastern Conference and the uncertainties surrounding Julius Randle’s health.
In light of this, a league insider has revealed that New York looked into trading for two Utah Jazz veterans. According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Knicks had expressed some interest in Kelly Olynyk of the Jazz and Jordan Clarkson, a well-liked trade target.
The league insider summarized trade deadline rumors on Wednesday and published the following:.
Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk of Utah were also targets for trade by the Knicks early in January, according to league insiders who spoke with HoopsHype.
“An NBA scout told HoopsHype that ‘whichever team can get Clarkson will be a game changer.'” “In my opinion, he is the top volume scorer on the trade market.”
After playing at a career-high level for the Jazz earlier in the season, the 31-year-old Clarkson has seen his efficiency decline this time around. Clarkson’s effective field goal percentage through games played on January 31 is a mere 47.6, on track to be his lowest of the year.
But the association’s 2021 Sixth Man of the Year winner has kept up his impressive scoring pace. His 2023–24 average is 17.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game after 39 games.
Conversely, Olynyk is the kind of playmaking, floor-spacing big man that almost any team in the running would want to have on their bench.
In just 20.5 minutes a game this season, the 32-year-old is averaging 8.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Additionally, he is shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range and 56.0 percent overall to blow up the nets. Together, he and Clarkson have made 91 postseason trips.
With a 24–25 record so far in the campaign, the Jazz have surpassed some of the preseason projections made by commentators. But it’s obvious that the squad still needs to improve if it wants to rebuild a title-contending base.
In order to achieve this, team CEO Danny Ainge amassed an incredible haul of draft selections and gifted young players, and there’s no reason to believe he wouldn’t take advantage of more opportunities to improve Utah’s prospects going forward.
The Knicks may be excellent trading partners in this way.
Since taking the helm in New York City, Rose has acquired future first-round picks in a manner reminiscent of Ainge, and it’s not hard to imagine him parting with one or more of them if it swings the balance in a championship hunt. And the Knicks roster still has guys who the Jazz could consider trading for, despite the trades of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickly.
The most notable of them is Quentin Grimes, whom Utah is reportedly keeping a close eye on, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. Now that he plays a smaller part in Thibodeau’s offense, moving the third-year pro also appears more plausible.