NBA Trade Window: 3 Players the Utah Jazz should target this month

The Utah Jazz finished the 2017/18 NBA season with a record of 48–34, which was enough to claim the 5th seed. The Jazz were one of the biggest surprises of the season, as the team managed to reach the playoffs despite starting the season with a 17-24 record. During the postseason, the Jazz went on to record a six-game series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and this meant that Utah advanced to the West semifinals for a second consecutive season.

While the Jazz went on to lose to the Rockets, the team looked to be in an incredibly strong position entering the 18/19 season. Despite this, Utah has started the season with a record of 20-21, which is only good enough for 10th place in the West standings.

The Jazz are at risk of missing out on the 2019 postseason, so here we will look at three players that the organisation should look to make moves for this month.

#3 Jeremy Lin

Due to serious injuries, Jeremy Lin is no longer the same player that he was during his memorable spell with the New York Knicks, however, the veteran guard still has plenty to offer to a playoff chasing team such as the Jazz. So far during the 18/19 season, Lin is averaging an impressive 10.6 points and 3.4 assists per game, despite playing less than 20 minutes a night.

The Jazz's current starting point guard, Ricky Rubio, has struggled with both injuries and form, and he was recently ruled out for two weeks. The addition of Lin would equip the Jazz with a capable backup, who also has experience playing in the starting lineup. Lin is currently in the final year of a $36 million contract he signed with the Nets in 2016, so the Jazz may be able to get the 30-year-old for little in return.

#2 Kevin Love

Kevin Love during the Atlanta Hawks match against the Cleveland Cavaliers

Kevin Love may be the best player currently available on the trade market, although his complex situation means that teams around the NBA have been put off of making a move for the Cleveland Cavaliers man. Firstly, Love continues to be out due to injury, and there is still no timetable on when Love will return to action. In addition to this, teams will find it difficult to make a move for the 5-time All-Star, as back in the 2018 off-season, Love signed a new four-year, $120 million extension with the Cavaliers.

Despite this, small market teams such as the Jazz find it difficult to attract All-Star calibre players, and Love represents a major opportunity for the Jazz to sign a huge name. Ultimately, Love would represent a long term investment, and the 30-year-old's signing could transform the Jazz into major Western Conference contenders.

#1 Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway Jr. played three seasons of college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines, before entering the 2013 NBA draft. During the draft, Hardaway Jr. was selected with the 24th overall pick by the New York Knicks, although he moved to the Hawks after just two years. Nevertheless, Hardaway has since returned for a second stint in New York, and the 26-year-old is continuing to develop his game.

So far during the 18/19 NBA season, Hardaway Jr. is averaging 20 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds, and the guard is also shooting .347 from behind the arc. Despite Hardaway's impressive numbers, the Knicks are gearing up to make a number of major moves this summer, and most of the current roster is available for trade.

The guard is locked into a long term deal, and if the Jazz can quire Hardaway Jr. in exchange for Dante Exum and a draft pick, it would represent a great piece of business.