Salt Lake City – Despite a high-powered offense, the Utah Jazz fell to the Phoenix Suns 134-126 due to their inability to make enough defensive stops.

On Friday, December 13, the Phoenix Suns (13-11) hosted the Jazz (5-19) at the Delta Center.

Jazz Fall To Suns In High-Scoring Matchup

As Utah’s young rebuilding process continues, the team faces inconsistency heading into their 14th night in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Phoenix has lost six consecutive road games and currently sits in eighth place in the West.

Kevin Durant, who has missed the last three games and ten overall this season, is expected to return for the Suns. In his 17th NBA season, the 14-time All-Star is averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Phoenix has a record of 11-2 with Durant in the lineup, but just 1-9 without him.

When the Suns lose, the Jazz show they’re the ideal trading partners.

The Utah Jazz gave the Phoenix Suns a tough challenge on December 13. While the Suns were missing Bradley Beal, which may have evened things out a bit, the game should not have been that close given the different goals of both teams.

This highlights a key issue for the Suns—they have a very narrow margin for error with their roster. If any of Beal, Kevin Durant, or Devin Booker are sidelined, they face significant trouble. Although players like Tyus Jones and former Jazz player Royce O’Neale contributed, Durant and Booker combined for 64 points.

If Beal had played, he probably would have had a significant impact, but the Suns play with such fire because they rely so heavily on their Big 3. They can certainly control the storm when playing the Jazz, but they might not be as successful when facing the Thunder or Grizzlies.

It is a remarkable luxury to have three outstanding scorers, but not at the expense of a subpar supporting cast. Even though the Suns’ rotation as a whole could be worse, games like tonight highlight their issues.

If the Suns ever decide to take action on this, that is another reason why the Jazz are viable trading partners.

Tonight, the Jazz demonstrated that they have the players the Suns need.

Clarkson was hot, which helped the Jazz stay in the game against the Suns. Although he has never been that player consistently, he has demonstrated time and time again that he is capable of being the top scorer on the court when he is in his prime.

The Suns are obviously in a tight spot because they have violated the NBA’s second tax apron. It would be impossible to get Collins and Clarkson without also acquiring one of the Suns’ more costly players. Beal would be the most likely culprit if it came to that.

The two most available players for the Jazz are Jordan Clarkson and John Collins. Collins is far superior to the Suns’ frontcourt players. He would give the Suns a lot of options because of his reputation as a lob threat and his ability to spread the floor.

With Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee, the Suns are severely lacking in versatility. Teams respect Collins far more than they do the other Suns’ centers, which is reason enough to sign him even if he is overpriced.

Jazz Drop Ninth Game In Last 11 Outings In Loss To Suns

Beal may be a more prolific scorer than Clarkson, but Clarkson is still capable of being a solid third scorer (and Collins is also strong in that role), making him a viable trade option for the Suns. Trading for him would address several team needs, particularly with Collins being a major upgrade for their frontcourt. Clarkson, as a third scorer, isn’t a significant downgrade for Phoenix.

The major obstacle is Beal’s no-trade clause, and it’s highly unlikely that Beal would agree to a trade to the Jazz. However, if the Suns can find a third team to facilitate the trade, this is a deal they should seriously consider.