Boston Celtics: 3 Utah Jazz players Cs could pursue this offseason

The Utah Jazz are currently in what is known as “NBA Purgatory,” a place the Boston Celtics want to be far away from as they enter Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s prime. On paper, they have almost everything they need to win a title and more.

They have two-star creators in Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley, elite rim protection in Rudy Gobert, and plenty of passing and shooting between their role players.

Yet, Quinn Snyder and the Jazz find themselves at home after the 2nd round; why is that? Why can’t a team with so much offensive firepower and one of the best defenders in the league crack the Conference Finals?

Utah lacks competent perimeter defenders to help Gobert when teams isolate their stars onto the Jazz wings and guards. Since most teams have the floor spread, Gobert often finds himself on the three-point line instead of under the rim, therefore limiting his ability to help and crippling Utah’s defense. There’s nothing Gobert can do but watch as his team gets shredded on the perimeter and gives up open lay-ups.

The Jazz need sharp point-of-attack defenders that can offer more resistance and make drop coverage more feasible in the playoffs. With little cap space and no young assets, the Jazz will have to part with some of their veterans, hence the report that Utah may be looking to shop Bogdanovic and Ingles.

The Boston Celtics could use both, but they may also have their eyes on other players on the Jazz…