We all know what it takes to come up with a trade in the NBA: the ESPN trade machine and an imagination. Or at least that is what creates the most rumors and fan hopes and dreams. The truth is that trades are more complex than any fan realizes, including myself. This is evidenced by the fact that there have been hardly any trades since teams were able to make trades. In fact, here are the 10 trades that have happened since the end of the lockout. And I bet you only remember 6, maybe 7 of them happening:
• New York Knicks traded forward Ronny Turiaf, cash considerations and a 2013 second-round draft pick to Washington and guard Andy Rautins to Dallas, who sent center Tyson Chandler and the draft rights to Ahmad Nivins and Giorgos Printezis to New York and a 2012 second-round draft pick to Washington. Washington also sent a conditional future second-round draft pick to Dallas.
• Los Angeles Lakers traded forward Lamar Odom and second-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks for a first-round pick and $8.9 million trade exception.
• Boston Celtics acquired forward Brandon Bass from Orlando for forward Glen Davis and guard Von Wafer.
• Minnesota Timberwolves traded forward Lazar Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder for two conditional second-round draft picks and guard Robert Vaden.
• Denver Nuggets acquired guard/forward Rudy Fernandez and forward Corey Brewer from the Dallas Mavericks for a future second-round draft pick.
• New Orleans Hornets traded guard Chris Paul and two future second-round draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, center Chris Kaman and a first-round draft choice.
• Golden State traded forward Lou Amundson to Indiana for guard Brandon Rush.
• New Jersey acquired center Mehmet Okur from the Utah Jazz for their second-round draft pick in 2015.
• Memphis traded guard Greivis Vasquez to New Orleans for guard Quincy Pondexter.
• Philadelphia traded forward Marreese Speights to Memphis and Memphis traded guard Xavier Henry to New Orleans. The 76ers received a 2012 second-round draft pick from Memphis and a 2013 second-round draft pick New Orleans.
Several things have to line up just right for an NBA trade to be made. There needs to be motivation on both sides of the trade. The salaries have to match up in just the right way according to the CBA and GMs have to have a realistic assessment of their players and talent.
Any NBA fan would willingly give up one of their mediocre players, or even several of their mediocre players to acquire a better than average player. But the other team has to want your mediocre players and that only happens under special circumstances.
To best assess the tradeability of a player, you must look at his contract, his skill level, teams that would need or want him, and fit. Today, we will do just that with each individual Jazz player, comprising the first ever Comprehensive Utah Jazz Trade Almanac.
Raja Bell
Contract: 2 years, $6 million
Teams that would want him: Playoff teams looking for veteran toughness and defense at the wing
Why the Jazz would trade him: For assets or to free up minutes at the wing
What the Jazz could get for Bell: Not much. Maybe a second round pick.
Team to watch for: The LA Clippers- The Clippers lost Chauncey Billups for the season and are now starting Randy Foye. The Clippers are targeting a Ray Allen type, but maybe they call up Utah. Raja would actually fit pretty well with them. Bell could be traded into the Eric Gordon trade exception for a second round pick.
Likelikhood of being traded: 14.5%
Alec Burks, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter
Contract: See Rookie scale
Teams that would want them: All of them.
Why the Jazz would trade him: If the Jazz are going to trade any of their young guys, it would be for a surprising deal for either a star, or a near star. There is a possibility that a top 10 point guard becomes available and the Jazz move picks and one of their young guys in order to get the point guard of the future.
What the Jazz could get for them: Would have to be a star.
Team to watch for: Boston and Golden State
Likelihood of being dealt: 2.7%
DeMarre Carroll
Contract: undisclosed one year deal
Teams that would want him: No idea.
Why the Jazz would trade him: as part of a multiplayer deal in order to make the numbers work.
What the Jazz could get for him: Nothing. No one would trade for Carroll. If he's available the Jazz would just waive him.
Team to watch for: Carroll's alma mater, the Missouri Wildcats in the NCAA tournament. They are a better version of last year's VCU team.
Likelikhood of being dealt: 1.8%
Jeremy Evans
Contract: 1 year, $700,000, give or take some dollars.
Teams that would want him: Teams with no depth in the front court. And I mean, first two strings injured, type of no depth.
Why the Jazz would Trade Him: As a cruel joke to Jeremy, Gordon and Jazz fans everywhere.
What the Jazz could get for him: Nothing. Same type of thing applies like it does with Carroll.
Team to watch for: The Utah Jazz. Maybe they will rediscover that Jeremy is on the team.
Likelihood of being dealt: 0%
Devin Harris
Contract: 2 years, $17 million
Teams that would want him: Teams that are desperate for a point guard, like teams in LA that aren't the Clippers.
Why the Jazz would trade Him: If the Jazz could get back a first round pick, or if they decided that they want to use Burks and Hayward as a two guard ballhandling back court.
What the Jazz could get for him: Probably another similar contract with a player of similar value. Maybe a late first round pick.
Team to watch for: The Lakers. The Jazz don't really want any of the contracts that the Lakers could offer and Harris doesn't fit into the Lamar Odom trade exception, or else, he'd probably have already been traded. But if the Lakers could get Cleveland or Sacramento to help facilitate money savings for the Jazz while sending them their first round pick...
Likelihood of being dealt: 33%
Josh Howard
Contract: 1 year, $2.2 million
Teams that would want him: Teams thin at the wing that are pushing for a playoff spot and highly value a veteran presence. You know...like the Jazz
Why the Jazz would trade Him: I think the Jazz like Howard and if they traded him, it would have to be for a player who fits a better need, like a 3 point specialist.
What the Jazz could get for him: A role player, with either a 2-4 year contract in the $3-5 million dollar a year range.
Team to watch for: New Jersey if the Nets needed to clear cap space and knew they couldn't get Dwight Howard in a trade.
Likelihood of being dealt: 15.3%
AL Jefferson
Contract: 2 years, $29 million
Teams that would want him: Teams that need to land a name or teams that want a second or third scorer for a playoff push.
Why the Jazz would trade him: To free up minutes and possessions for the young crew or for a decent first round pick or to bring back a great player.
What the Jazz could get for him: The Jazz would almost certainly have to take back a bad contract for Jefferson, possibly along a desirable young player, or a pick.
Team to watch for: Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta has a need for big men right now and a little situation involving Josh Smith, who happens to have a similar contract situation to Al.
Likelihood of being dealt: 13.4%
CJ Miles
Contract: 1 year, $3.4 million
Teams that would want him: Teams looking to clear salary by trading for CJ's expiring contract.
Why the Jazz would trade him: To free up minutes for Alec Burks, or bring back a 3 point shooter.
What the Jazz could get for him: Probably not much. What rotation in the NBA could he crack right now that has teams with players we want.
Team to watch for: New Jersey
Likelihood of being dealt: 35%
Paul Millsap
Contract: 2 years, $16.5 million
Teams that would want him: Playoff teams who need some bench help, or teams desperate for a starting power forward.
Why the Jazz would trade him: For a pick, a point guard or 3 point shooter, or to clear up playing time and touches for our young bigs.
What the Jazz could get for him: An average point guard or 3 point specialist or late first round pick.
Team to watch for: LA Lakers; Something like Kapono and their 1st round pick
Likelihood of being dealt: 24%
Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson
Contract: One year, veteran minimum, 2 years, $4 million, respectively
Teams that would want him: Any team that isn't two deep at the point guard position
Why the Jazz would trade them: For cash considerations
What the Jazz could get for them: Cash considerations
Team to watch for: New York Knicks and LA Lakers
Likelihood of being dealt: 19 and 1%, respectively.
You can follow Clark on twitter @jazzingitup. These percentages are 87% accurate based on this computer that ran some numbers.