NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players that could join the Utah Jazz next month

The Utah Jazz finished the 2017/18 NBA season with a record of 48–34, which was enough to claim the 5th seed. In the playoffs, the team went on to record a six-game series win over the Thunder, which meant that the Utah team advanced to the Western Semifinals for the second consecutive season.

The Jazz went on to lose to the Houston Rockets, however, the team successfully demonstrated that they can compete without Gordon Hayward, and the Jazz looked in shape to have another impressive season this year.

Despite this, the team has struggled offensively, and the Jazz's star trio of Ricky Rubio, Derrick Favors, and Donovan Mitchell have all struggled for form. In order to have any chance of reaching the 2019 postseason, the Jazz will need to make a number of acquisitions in the trade market, and here are three player's that could help turn the team's fortunes around.

#3 Wayne Ellington

The Miami Heat are reportedly thinking about trading away Wayne Ellington, and this has alerted a number of playoff-chasing teams around the league. While the Los Angles Lakers are among the teams looking at a trade for the 31-year-old, Ellington would be a good fit in Utah.

The shooting guard has appeared in just three of the Heat's last seven games, and it appears the team is happy to trade him away. The veteran will become a free agent this summer, and the Heat will be keen to get something in return for Ellington.

The Jazz have struggled from 3-point range this season, with most of the team shooting below 30%, while Ellington is a career 38% shooter from behind the arc. Ultimately, Ellington's ability to knock down open shots would be a great help to a Jazz team that has struggled to find any consistency on the offensive end.

#2 Jabari Parker

Over the summer, Jabari Parker signed a $40 million deal with the Bulls, although Parker's situation has quickly soured, and the Bulls have reportedly taken him out of the team's rotation. The forward will likely be put on the trade market in the coming days, and Kevin O'Connor from The Ringer is reporting that the Jazz are interested in acquiring Parker:

The Utah Jazz are one of the teams interested in Parker, according to multiple league sources. Derrick Favors is an awkward fit next to center Rudy Gobert, and his $16.9 million on the books for next season is non-guaranteed, meaning he could be one of the pieces involved.

Parker is still just 23, and during the 16/17 season, the forward averaged 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Parker's offensive ability would make him an effective addition to the Jazz, and the player would also have the opportunity to develop alongside Donovan Mitchell.

#1 Kevin Love

Cleveland Cavaliers v Minnesota Timberwolves

After playing just one year of college basketball, Kevin Love entered the 2008 draft and was taken fifth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. He was soon traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and by 2011, Love had established himself as an All-Star player.

The Cleveland Cavaliers brought Love to the team via trade shortly after LeBron James signed with the team back in 2014, and his partnership with the superstar resulted in the Cavs winning the 2016 NBA Championship.

Despite this, Love's time with the team could soon be coming to an end, as the Cavaliers are undergoing a major rebuild, and the 30-year-old has reportedly been told that he can leave.

Love signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Cavaliers over the summer, and the Jazz will need to move players such as Derrick Favors to obtain the power forward. Nevertheless, Love could make the Jazz serious contenders in the West, so it is a move worth exploring.