The Utah Jazz finished the 2024-25 season with a 17-65 record, the worst in the entire NBA. The draft lottery did not go in their favor, however, as they landed the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Danny Ainge has shown a willingness to take on bad contracts in order to acquire draft capital or young players with upside. Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune appeared on the “Locked on Jazz” podcast, where he revealed that the Jazz could take on Paul George’s $212 million contract to move up two spots in the draft.
“I do think it’s true that the Philadelphia 76ers are interested in trading down to No. 5 potentially if they can get off the Paul George deal and that contract,” The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen stated Wednesday. “That may not make a lot of sense for the Jazz given how long that contract is and how iffy Paul George was. I don’t think the Jazz are going to take that offer, but I do think that’s an offer that’s been presented.”
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George has three years and over $162 million remaining on the deal he signed last offseason. The 35-year-old is coming off of his worst season in over a decade. He appeared in just 41 games, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.0% from the field, 35.8% from three-point range and 81.4% from the free-throw line.
Utah could acquire George as a way to move up in the draft, while hoping that he rebuilds his value as their top option — opening the deal to flip him for more assets at the trade deadline. His contract and age, however, could be a major deterrent.
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