NBA Mock Trade: Jarred Vanderbilt Finds New Home

The NBA trade deadline is tomorrow, meaning there will be an incredible amount of dialogue between front offices between now and then. There’s more buyers than sellers at this point, meaning there could be bidding wars on the most attractive players.

One name that’s been gaining a lot of buzz around the league is Jarred Vanderbilt, who was traded to the Utah Jazz in this summer’s Rudy Gobert deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The athletic combo forward is only 23 years old and is already someone that can make a significant impact on both ends.

There’s no question there will be multiple teams looking to acquire him ahead of Thursday afternoon. One team that should be making the call to inquire is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While Oklahoma City has no pressure to make a move, the front office may need to make a decision on Darius Bazley. He’s set to become a free agent this summer, meaning GM Sam Presti may look to move him while he still can.

While Vanderbilt and Bazley have similar builds, the Jazz forward has blossomed into a better player at this point. As such, the Thunder would need to attach additional assets to Bazley in a swap of these two players.

Bazley is a year younger and still has a long career ahead of him, but may need a fresh start. Utah has been great this season about getting the most out of its young talent and turning careers around. If the Jazz are truly going to trade Vanderbilt to avoid paying him after next season, taking a chance on Bazley while also gaining draft capital could make sense.

Worst case Bazley doesn’t work out and walks this summer, but Utah still has the draft capital. Best case he plays well to close out the season and can be signed to a deal much less lucrative than what Vanderbilt will demand.

The Thunder have three-first round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft and could be motivated to use one of those to acquire Vanderbilt.

In fact, one of those is the Jazz own first rounder from the Derrick Favors trade, which is top 10 protected. If Utah wants this pick pack, this could be an attractive deal.

Perhaps a package of Bazley and that first-round pick could get this deal done. It all depends on what other offers the Jazz have on the table.

Nonetheless, that would be worth the investment by Oklahoma City, who really needs players of Vanderbilt’s archetype. He could play alongside Chet Holmgren or even as a backup big next season.

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