Could the Utah Jazz land superstar Kevin Durant?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots against Trent Forrest #3 of the Utah Jazz during their game at Barclays Center on March 21, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Building a new Jazz depth chart

After losing all the picks they gained over this summer, the Jazz would have an entirely new look in 2022-23. Keep in mind, the Jazz also got players in the Minnesota deal, enough to round out the big three they would have created.

Utah’s starting lineup would look something like this:

Point Guard – Patrick Beverly

Shooting Guard – Donovan Mitchell

Small Forward – Kevin Durant

Power Forward – Rudy Gay

Center – Myles Turner

The Jazz would have Jordan Clarkson, Jarred Vanderbilt, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Udoka Azubuike, and Leandro Bolmaro to round off the bench. If Azubuike and Vanderbilt can take a step forward next year, this would actually be one of the better benches in basketball.

Even after Durant, Gay, and Beverly decline, the Jazz would still have a solid roster. Turner, Mitchell, and Clarkson would all still be solid players, and if the young bench guys develop, the Jazz actually could compete in the post-Durant years. The trade is very much directed at making the Jazz competitive now, but the team would get to keep some of their most promising young players, avoiding a total rehaul when Durant hangs it all up.

There are still some question marks surrounding this deal. First, would Durant even agree to play in Utah? He has made it clear he wants to go to Miami or Phoenix and chase a ring with minimal effort. In Utah, he would be the clear number one option, and Turner isn’t an All-Star, so Durant wouldn’t get the treatment he is used to.

Also, how would the Jazz carry themselves after Durant’s contract is up, or he demands another trade? At that point, they could trade Turner, Durant, and Mitchell and then rebuild with all those picks. Personally, I like the sound of that, as the Jazz could delay the state they are in now, compete for a few years, and then rebuild. With that roster, they would be guaranteed to make some playoff noise, so why gamble to win later when you can win now?

The trade makes sense for every team involved, but I’m sure fans will have their own opinions about it. Sound off in the comments, I want to know if there’s a better alternative out there.