The NBA’s trade market can be difficult to gauge. Different assets will have different values for different teams. Sometimes, the value of an asset can be tricky to evaluate.
Take a pick swap. To some, that’s a worthless asset. In some cases, that can be true. If a lottery team takes a pick swap that will convey in a year from a contender, what are they getting? In all likelihood, the answer is “nothing”.
On the other hand, a distant swap could have real value. An up-and-coming team could value a swap from an aging contender if it doesn’t convey for a few years. For example, swap rights with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2030 could be valuable.
Would the Utah Jazz give up Kelly Olynyk for those swap rights?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Clippers Land Utah Jazz’s Kelly Olynyk
Utah Jazz Receive: F P.J. Tucker, 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAC)
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk
Meanwhile, draft capital has dominated NBA trades more than ever before. Some don’t love that trend. They feel as if draft capital amounts to little more than a handful of magic beans.
Perhaps. That can be true. On the other hand, draft capital can have immense value. It will eventually become something tangible. Let’s look at the most significant draft-based trade we’ve seen in recent history.
The Houston Rockets traded James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for four first-round picks and three pick swaps. So far, they’ve used one of those selections to pick Tari Eason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Now, it looks like the Nets could send them a lottery pick this summer – and they’ll still have another pick and two swaps left. That sounds like good value to us.
Are the Jazz getting good value here?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
Let’s look at the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard is among the most injury-prone players in the NBA. He’s also aging – as are Paul George and James Harden. This team’s window is closing – and quickly.
By contrast, Lauri Markkanen is just entering his prime. The Jazz have plenty of young talent around him. This team is on the upswing. By 2030, they could easily be contenders – and the Clippers could certainly be in the lottery.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
There are no guarantees here. This is a high-risk, high-reward trade for the Jazz. Still, we think it’s a gamble worth taking. Should the Clippers risk moving a lottery pick?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
The Clippers’ window may be closing. It’s still open. This team has a real chance of winning an NBA title in 2023-24. What are they missing?
Well, the Clippers gave up a number of big defensive wings when they acquired Harden. Olynyk isn’t a perfect replacement – he’s more of a combo big. Still, he’s a player who can soak up time at the 4 and offer some defensive value.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
In fact, Olynyk is a generally useful player. He’s a floor spacer who provides some secondary playmaking. Olynyk can also defend in space. He should bolster the Clippers’ title odds in 2023-24 – that’s worth the price of a pick swap.
