As we approach the looming NBA trade season, we’ll start to see a good chunk of teams around the league begin to seek out a move or two to make to improve the quality of their roster. Whether it be a team on the border of contention, right on the edge of making a Play-In push, or a young roster just trying to build a better foundation, everyone’s trying to get better.
The Utah Jazz are no different. Currently, at an 18-20 record closing in on the halfway mark of the season, they only sit a half-game back from that coveted ten seed. If an opportunity to improve the state of the roster closes in on this next stretch of the season, there may be a shakeup on the horizon.
One of those potential shakeups could be shipping away guard Talen Horton-Tucker. During Utah’s most recent stretch of wins, it’s been without his inclusion into the rotation, catching DNPs in eight of their last ten games. His benching might just be the prelude to what may be an inevitable divorce for a player who deserves more playing opportunities, even if it may not be in Salt Lake City.
So, in the wake of the approaching trade deadline, here’s a move to send Horton-Tucker off to join the San Antonio Spurs:
Utah Jazz acquire: Doug McDermott, 2026 second-round pick (via UTA)
San Antonio Spurs acquire: Talen-Horton Tucker
In this move, the Jazz bring in a perimeter threat with Doug McDermott, who also provides a solid veteran presence to the locker room. The 32-year-old has appeared in 31 games this season, averaging 5.9 points on 44.9% shooting from deep.
It’s a low-risk move that brings in a player on an expiring contract who can contribute to winning basketball right now. McDermott is set to become a free agent this summer after his $13.7 million deal ends. Considering Horton-Tucker is on an expiring deal of his own, it’s a switch that matches up well financially.
Along with McDermott, a move with San Antonio gives the chance to bring back their second-round pick in 2026. While it’s a minor asset to acquire (or re-acquire), any draft capital for this young core is a plug to have.
For the Spurs, it brings in a flier at the guard position to help assist rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama. Many have been clamoring to get San Antonio more help in the backcourt to help facilitate and control the offense, and that’s a role Horton-Tucker could attempt to fill.
While his consistency for the Jazz was a bit up and down as a lead guard, a move to a new situation ahead of when he hits the market could be in the best interest of both parties. Worst case scenario, it doesn’t work out in San Antonio, and Horton-Tucker would be able to find another opportunity elsewhere in free agency.
If the Jazz don’t intend to keep THT in their long-term plans, finding some value on the trade market would be a smart investment rather than losing him for nothing in a few months. In the case that a team like San Antonio is interested in testing out his fit on their team, Danny Ainge may be wise to pull the trigger.
The trade deadline is still just under a month away, so there’s still a ton of time between now and the soon-to-come cutoff to find the right deal. In the meantime, some predictions and proposals can help us prepare for the inevitably hectic coming weeks around the league.
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