THAT Jordan Clarkson is among the prominent names being floated in the weeks leading to the NBA's trade deadline is no longer a surprise.
Utah's veteran guard is one of the players seen as a prized trade asset as the Jazz wade through a difficult season that, for all intents and purposes, has reduced the campaign into another chance to rebuild for the future for the franchise.
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The Jazz got off to a rocky start and are currently one rung out of the bottom of the Western Conference with a 7-21 (win-loss) record, meaning any chance at contending for a place in the playoffs have been thrown out the window.
That has all but prompted a shift in priorities for top Jazz management, who by now should be looking to clear previous salary cap space and turn assets into either a high draft pick or a player that can be part of a future core.
From the current Jazz lineup now being led by Mauri Markkanen, it is Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and John Collins are being mentioned as possible trade assets that the ballclub can move before the February (February 7, Manila time) trade deadline.
Trading Clarkson would push both agendas, since the Fil-Am guard is due more than $14 million next season and - with a resurgent form after a long injury layoff - is valuable enough to attract trades for high picks or valuable assets.
Besides, taking Clarkson out of the current Jazz lineup may actually hasten a separate agenda to land the team a high pick in the next NBA draft.
So where's he headed?
According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, three title-contending teams in the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and the New York Knicks have all inquired about a possible trade for the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee.
Anyone of the three would suddenly have Clarkson contending for a first career championship at age 32, but Sidery said a deal would not be easy to make since the Jazz aren't ready to part with their player for a song.
Only a 'promising prospect and/ or a draft capital' can get the Jazz's attention on trade, he said.
Can a deal be made? Let's see in the coming weeks.
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