NBA Trade Speculation: What Should Utah Jazz Do with Their Frontcourt Logjam?

During the 2010 season, the Utah Jazz traded Deron Williams to the Nets for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and a first-round pick. The Jazz would finish the season 39-43, 11th in the Western Conference.

The loss of Williams could pay dividends for the Jazz in the future. The addition of 2009 first round pick Derrick Favors adds another talented player to an already solid Jazz frontcourt. The Jazz used the Nets' pick to select former Colorado shooting guard Alec Burks to add depth to the backcourt.

With their own first-round pick, the Jazz selected the best center in the draft, Enes Kanter, to make their frontcourt even more crowded. Kanter joins Favors, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko to give the Jazz the NBA's deepest group in the paint.

There is no doubt that depth is only a good thing in the NBA. However, with a weak backcourt in Utah, the Jazz could use their current assets in the frontcourt to upgrade positions of need.

Here are five scenarios the Jazz should consider for their frontcourt.

Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward and 1st-Rd Pick for Danny Granger and Brandon Rush

The Indiana Pacers could use a quality forward to pair with Roy Hibbert in the paint. Paul Millsap finished last season averaging 17.3 points per game to go along with 7.6 rebounds per game.

The Utah Jazz could sweeten the deal by adding second-year player Gordon Hayward along with a first-round draft pick. Hayward averaged over five points per game off of the Jazz bench last season. He definitely has potential on the wing and showed glimpses of his talent throughout last season.

In exchange for Millsap and company, the Pacers would give up their leading scorer Danny Granger. Granger would give the Jazz the scoring wing player they need. He averaged 20.5 points per game along with 5.4 rebounds and just under three assists per game.

The Pacers would also part ways with Brandon Rush. Rush could benefit from a change of scenery. He is a capable scorer and has the height to compete in the NBA.

This trade would be mutually beneficial. The Pacers would receive a hard working and underrated offensive player while the Jazz would get the wing scorer they need. Hayward and Rush are intriguing young players, and the first-round pick is further incentive for the Pacers to part with their leading scorer.

Millsap may not be able to play a lick of defense, but the Jazz should be able to demand a high price if he is packaged correctly.

Al Jefferson and Raja Bell for Andre Iguodala

The Philadelphia 76ers have a need in the paint, and the Utah Jazz have a need on the wing. This makes an Al-Jefferson-for-Andre-Iguodala swap good sense on paper.

Jefferson signed with the Jazz before the 2010 season. He would go on to average 18.6 points per game to go with 9.7 rebounds per game. He is a liability when defending the pick and roll, but Jefferson's 1.87  blocks per game make him a feared presence around the basket.

Iguodala is an excellent athlete. He would benefit greatly by leaving Philadelphia and enjoying a change of scenery. He is not a consistent perimeter shooter, but Iguodala is a versatile talent. He averaged 14.1 points last season while hauling down 5.8 rebounds. Iguodala also dished out 6.3 assists per game.

This trade makes sense for both sides. The Jazz would benefit from Iguodala's size, versatility and ability to slash too the basket. The 76ers would benefit from Jefferson's shot blocking ability and his ability to score consistently down low.

Raja Bell would come to Philadelphia to back up young Jrue Holliday in the backcourt and to provide veteran leadership in the locker room.

Paul Millsap and Alec Burks for Wes Matthews and Brandon Roy

As a member of the Utah Jazz in 2009, Wes Matthews averaged 9.4 points in just under 25 minutes per game. After joining the Portland Trail Blazers in 2010, Matthews exploded for 15.9 points per game.

Whether the change of environment benefited Matthews or simply the larger role, he certainly has become a larger asset than when he came to the Jazz two years ago.

Brandon Roy is the classic story. He has all of the talent needed to be a great NBA player, but his brittle body keeps getting in his way. In his five career NBA seasons, Roy has missed 89 games or just a little over one full season. Roy has been successful in his limited time on the court. He averages 19.0 points for his career and just over four rebounds and assists per game.

In order to add these two skilled players, the Jazz would have to give up Paul Millsap and 2010 first-round pick Alec Burks. Millsap would add a scorer in the frontcourt for Portland and Burks would give the Blazers a chance at a healthy scoring guard.

The Jazz would benefit from bringing Matthews back into the fold in Utah. Roy is certainly worth another shot to get healthy. If the Jazz are willing to part with a valuable—but expendable—member of their frontcourt plus a promising player in Burks, then they could make this deal happen.

Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward and 1st-Rd Pick for Chris Paul

Chris Paul is regarded, by some, to be the best point guard in the NBA. However, stars have been dealt before and Chris Paul trade speculation is months old.

Last season, Paul averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. He is incredibly dynamic and a true point guard. His ability to dish the ball to the open teammate and also knock down an open jump shot make him as dangerous as anyone in the league.

Paul's excellence means whoever wants to acquire his services will have to part with a large package. The Jazz could offer up both starting forwards, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, along with Gordon Hayward and a first-round draft pick. Millsap and Jefferson would be immediate contributors underneath for the New Orleans Hornets and Hayward would be a great piece for the team's future.

Paul has the rare ability to take over a game by himself. The Jazz have the rare opportunity to acquire a franchise player one year after losing another. If Paul is not happy in New Orleans, and it appears he is not, then he could quite possibly be moved before the NBA takes the court again. Millsap and Jefferson would make the Hornets a team based in the paint, and Hayward could turn into a very capable wing player.

Jefferson and Millsap may not be as talented as Paul, however the Hornets may want to trade Paul while his price is high. In that case, the two Utah forwards may look very nice to a Hornets team looking to add both talent and depth.

Just Wait

Despite the pending greatness of young forwards Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors, the Utah Jazz may want to stay with their current personnel for now.

Favors is known as an excellent athlete underneath. He is a young and physical presence on defense. On offense, Favors needs to polish his footwork and work on his scoring touch. Off of the bench last season, Favors averaged 8.2 points per game for the Jazz.

Kanter was the best available center in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, he has not played a single minute in the NBA and is still an unproven commodity. He may be loaded with talent, but the Jazz should be sure of what they are getting before they part with a proven post presence.

Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap both struggle defensively. Despite this glaring weakness, both players provide great scoring in the paint and provide the Jazz with leadership plus hard work down low. Millsap is a fan favorite and Jefferson still has a chance to gain favor with the Utah crowd.

All in all, the Jazz probably should make a move, trade assets to fill weaknesses. However, the Jazz should wait until the season is under way so the unproven stars can demonstrate their worth.