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NBA executive believes Utah Jazz will eventually make trades to tank later in the season: "I think Utah will make trades to make themselves bad"

The Utah Jazz are first in the Western Conference standings with a 10-3 record. The Jazz are the most surprising team this season because many expected them to be one of the worst. However, an NBA executive believes the Jazz will eventually make trades to tank later this season.

In a poll by Sam Amick of The Athletic, several executives were asked about teams possibly tanking at the end of the season. One executive included the Jazz despite their hot start to the season.

"I think Utah will be there in the end. San Antonio will be there in the end. Detroit, I just don't think is very good. They want to win, but I just don't think they’re very good. I think Indiana will be there at the end, for sure. Houston will be there.
"Now I think Utah will make trades to make themselves bad. Then the question is Oklahoma City. I mean, how far do they want to push this? And then we'll have one or two teams that are down there that's unexpected, like the Lakers or the Kings," the executive said.

To find out the full results of Sam Amick's poll, click here.

The Utah Jazz are the most surprising team in the bunch because they are currently the best team in the Western Conference. The San Antonio Spurs have been competitive to start the season, while the Detroit Pistons are near the bottom of the East standings.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers also look competitive, but the Houston Rockets have the worst record in the league. The OKC Thunder have the same record as the defending champions Golden State Warriors. The Sacramento Kings want to end their playoff drought, and the LA Lakers are struggling.

ALSO READ: Tracing Will Hardy's journey to becoming Utah Jazz's head coach as his side primed for 'tanking' season sit atop NBA Western Conference


Who might the Utah Jazz trade before the deadline?

Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson
Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson

The Utah Jazz had a fire sale in the offseason. They traded Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Royce O'Neal and Bojan Bogdanovic. They also tried to offload Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson and Malik Beasley, who they acquired in the Gobert deal.

It should also be noted that other Jazz players Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk and Rudy Gay are all eligible to be traded before the deadline. Team executive Danny Ainge has a nice haul of picks from the Mitchell and Gobert deal. If Ainge wants to continue acquiring picks, he'll be active.

However, the problem is that there could be a lot of sellers at the deadline due to the hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama. However, the Jazz are in good hands with Ainge and coach Will Hardy.

ALSO READ: "The talk of tanking or playing for Victor is all camouflage" - Jason Kidd praises Utah Jazz before their hard-fought game

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