Story by
Jazz Could Make a Strange $14.7 Million Trade Reversal With Former Top-Five Pick
- Story by
- Jazz Could Make a Strange $14.7 Million Trade Reversal With Former Top-Five Pick
(Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)
The Utah Jazz moved on from Cody Williams before he could solve his shooting problems. Now imagine turning the player they got for him into another former lottery pick with almost the exact same issue.
Only this one was drafted five spots higher ...
Advertisement
And if Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II ever becomes available, Utah might have a pretty compelling reason to revisit a gamble it seemingly abandoned just two months ago.
The Jazz traded Williams, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and John Konchar to Minnesota for Josh Green and cash considerations in August.
Williams had shot just 21.4% from three last season. Green, meanwhile, connected on 42% of his attempts in a limited role with Charlotte.
Utah got a more established shooter and moved on from a young player whose offensive development hadn't gone as planned.
So why consider Holland?
Advertisement
The 21-year-old was selected fifth overall in the same draft as Williams. He averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals last season while shooting just 25.3% from beyond the arc.
Those shooting numbers aren't much better than what Utah was getting from Williams.
But Holland has already shown considerably more defensive bite.
He's aggressive on the perimeter, creates turnovers and has the athleticism to bother opposing wings. His 18-point, four-steal performance against Brooklyn on October 30 was another reminder of what he can contribute.
And the Jazz could use some of that.
Utah's defense has been a problem through the opening weeks of the season, and Holland could give Will Hardy another player capable of generating stops without needing plays called for him.
Advertisement
The question is whether Detroit would even entertain moving him.
CBS Sports' Sam Quinn identified Holland as a potential trade candidate in October, although there's no indication the Pistons are actively shopping him.
Detroit won 60 games last season and recently committed $155 million to Ausar Thompson, another defensive-minded wing whose outside shooting remains a concern.
How much longer will the Pistons want to develop both?
Green's expiring $14.7 million contract could at least get a conversation started. He offers more experience and a stronger outside shooting résumé, although his limited production in Utah hardly makes him an irresistible trade asset.
Advertisement
Detroit also exercised Holland's $11.5 million option for 2027-28, so there's little reason to believe the Pistons are desperate to move him.
They'd almost certainly want something else.
A second-round pick? I'd listen.
A valuable first-rounder? No thanks.
The Jazz already have Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey and Keyonte George developing. Holland would need minutes, patience and plenty of work on his jumper.
Utah would also have to explain why Holland deserves that investment after the organization decided Williams didn't.
His defense gives the front office a legitimate argument. Holland has shown he can affect games even when his shot isn't falling, and that ability could make him a better long-term bet.
Advertisement
But the price needs to reflect how much work remains.
Green's contract could give the Jazz a chance to explore Holland's availability, and there's enough upside here to justify making that phone call.
But let's not get carried away with where Holland was drafted. The Pistons selected him fifth overall more than two years ago, and his jumper remains a major question mark.
If Detroit wants Green and modest draft compensation, Utah should seriously consider it. If the asking price climbs into valuable first-round territory, the Jazz should walk away without much hesitation.
After all, Utah already traded one former lottery pick whose shooting never developed as hoped.
Giving up another significant asset to take on the same uncertainty would be a pretty expensive way to end up right back where the Jazz started.
