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Eight players who could be traded before the NBA draft

NBA draft, Carmelo Anthony

Derrick Favors

Courtesy of USA Today Images

The salary cap next season is projected at $101 million. The Utah Jazz have to resign Gordon Hayward and George Hill — both will be getting pay raises and Hayward’s could be massive if he makes an All-NBA team (he’s not expected to, however). Per Spotrac, the Jazz have $92 million committed, a number that includes Hayward’s $16.7 million player option. Having been in the league for seven years, Hayward can make 30 percent of the cap if he isn’t eligible for the super-max, per Larry Coon’s CBA FAQ (a wonderful resource I might add). That means Utah will have to offer him roughly $30.3 million to stay (remember, that $101 million number is only a projection) — nearly doubling his salary.

Already, the Jazz would be over the cap. No worries — they can still sign Hill, though they’ll have to sign him before Hayward so that Hayward’s excess salary is allowable under Bird rights. However, factor in what will likely be a steady increase in Hill’s salary and the Jazz may be near or in the luxury tax — projected at $121 million. Oh, and we haven’t even started to discuss Joe Ingles, whose salary could triple even in restricted free agency.

Owner Gail Miller hasn’t indicated whether or not she’s willing to spend big. But if not, the Jazz may have to shed salary. Favors, set to become a free agent after next season and get a salary bump of his own (he’ll make $12 million in 2017-18), fits the bill.

The Jazz would be losing a lot in Favors — he’s a strong defender capable of averaging a double-double per 36 minutes. ut in the grand scheme of things, he’s expendable, especially if ownership doesn’t want to shell out cash for a team that will inevitably fall to the Warriors. Favors comes off the bench and is a perpetual injury risk. Moreover, the Jazz can hand his role to Trey Lyles, who they drafted 12th overall in 2015, if they’re confident in his ability.

Based on what Favors brings to Utah and what Lyles has done thus far, that isn’t the best idea if the Jazz want to compete for a title. However, it’s enough for the front office to justify shopping Favors around the draft and into next season if nothing comes through, especially if they can get assets in return, which they undoubtedly can.

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