The NBA's trade season has officially arrived, as Trae Young was dealt away from Atlanta to Washington this week. And while that wouldn't appear on the surface to impact the Utah Jazz, it does create a complication for Austin Ainge and the front office all the same.
The Jazz want to appear competitive on the surface, while still retaining its first-round pick this summer (Top 8 protected, or it goes to the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder).
And while a 12-24 mark (sixth worst in the NBA) would make it seem the Jazz are succeeding in keeping the pick thus far, the Young deal to Washington adds a wrinkle that few could have foreseen.