Utah targets defensive standout Cason Wallace and versatile wing Max Christie to bolster bench depth, providing the gritty perimeter play necessary to transform the roster into well-rounded contenders.
Who would you prefer the Jazz target?
The Utah Jazz, on paper, already have the pieces to succeed this upcoming season, and with the No. 2 pick, whether it be AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson, they’ll secure the final piece of the starting lineup. However, one player, while talented, won’t be the end-all, be-all for the Jazz if they want to push for the playoffs. Depth is just as, if not more, crucial than a solid starting five, and this year's playoffs have shown that more than ever.
Since Utah will still have to shore up its ranks this offseason, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale has identified two trade targets for the Jazz to pursue in an effort to round out the team. Favale also mentioned the No. 1 pick as a target, but as of now, the asking price, which includes Ace Bailey, is an unwilling endeavor for Utah.
The first player Favale tagged as a trade target is former NBA champion Cason Wallace of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Drafted in 2023 with the No. 10 pick, Wallace started the most games in his career this season, notching 58 first-team reps in 77 total games played. The guard averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting at a 43.2% clip from the field. His strength, however, comes from his staunch perimeter defense, and his addition could serve as a much-needed energy boost off the bench.
The second player Favale identified as a trade target for Utah is Dallas’ Max Christie. Drafted in 2022, Christie also started more games this season than any prior, as he found himself on the floor for tip-off in 68 out of 77 games played with the Mavericks this season. The former Michigan State Spartan averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game with a 44.1% success rate when shooting. His two-way abilities would serve the Jazz well, and at 22 years of age, Christie could be a key factor for years to come.
As for players on the Jazz who were deemed trade targets for other teams, there were only two. Ace Bailey was considered a trade target for Sacramento, which is very unlikely to happen, and Svi Mykhailiuk was named as a target for Orlando.
Should the Jazz end up with Wallace, Christie or both, alongside either Dybantsa or Peterson, Utah fans would be hard-pressed not to consider this offseason a rousing success.
