Utah Jazz: Strange Trade Rumors Making Rounds

The internet continues to circulate rumors that the Utah Jazz could look to trade players like Gordon Hayward and/or Derrick Favors for Kevin Love and others.

One of the perks of the Utah Jazz having a productive offseason with the acquisition of proven pros like Joe Johnson, George Hill and Boris Diaw is that the usually under-the-radar squad is suddenly the talk of the basketball press. Of course, the extra attention also brings the loonies out.

OK, maybe loonies is a bit strong. Let’s call it an excess of radical ideas and dissenting opinions.

I say this because for every NBA pundit that is singing Utah’s praises, there’s also a naysayer or an armchair GM who thinks its time to dismantle the team.

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It’s the latter group that I’m interested in today as we take a look at some of the more out there trade rumors that are currently circulating around the ‘net; some of which make more sense than others.

First up, we have a juicy bit involving a hypothetical trade for Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to a piece from YIBADA, Utah would be a prime destination for the big man, and a deal involving BOTH Derrick Favors and Rodney Hood for the former All-Star would ultimately make the Jazz a “better team.”

Says Malcolm Hyde of YIBADA–

"The deal could start with Derrick Favors, as Rudy Gobert will most likely be groomed as the Jazz’ center of the future. It’s unlikely the Jazz would offer Hayward, and the Cavs would probably prefer Rodney Hood. A package of Favors and Hood is good enough for Kevin Love at this point."

The piece does some piggybacking off of a June article by SB Nation’s Tom Ziller, looking at Love’s future. To the writer’s credit, he draws some of his own conclusions (the Ziller piece doesn’t mention the Jazz as a destination team) and gives some method for the madness.

Nevertheless, the idea that the Jazz would be willing to send two of their core pieces–who also happen to be among the better players at their position league-wide–for a somewhat diminished Love, or that such a deal would benefit both teams, seems more than little far-fetched.

The Love rumor was joined in recent days by more talk that the Jazz could send Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics to reunite with his college coach, Brad Stevens. This one comes to us from Basketball Insiders’ Oliver Maroney in his examination of soon-to-be free agents that could be dealt.

On @BBallInsiders, NBA "soon-to-be" free agents: https://t.co/fgmWc1vSZf
— Oliver Maroney (@OliverMaroney) July 29, 2016

This one is less

crazy

rumor and more a scenario that could unfold if the Jazz came to doubt their ability to retain Hayward beyond next season.

Says Maroney–

"A natural pairing for Hayward is Boston and coach Brad Stevens, Hayward’s former mentor at Butler University. Will that play any part in a potential trade to, say the Celtics? Although an interesting thought and idea, it’s questionable whether the Celtics would part ways with enough pieces for the Jazz to pull the trigger. On the other side of the coin, the Celtics really don’t have a need for another small forward unless they send Jae Crowder in a potential deal."

Maroney’s concession that it would be hard for the C’s to pry Hayward from the Jazz rings true–even if they sent Crowder and a couple of the bazillion draft picks owed to them, I don’t see a deal here. Moreover, the smart money is on Hayward staying with the Jazz long-term.

Still, if Hayward ends up having a change of heart sometime between now and the trade deadline next February, it’s hard to argue that the Jazz wouldn’t consider making a deal.

It just doesn’t seem very likely at this juncture.

Next: Gobert, Diaw and Team France Falter in Olympic Warm-Ups

Have you seen any crazy Jazz rumors making the rounds? Looking to start one yourself? Hit me with ’em in the comments!