UNC in the NBA: What players could be moved at the trade deadline?

4 of 6

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 05: Head coach Quin Synder of the Utah Jazz talks with Tony Bradley #13 of the Utah Jazz in the second half of a preseason NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 5, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Tony Bradley, C, Utah Jazz

Utah drafted UNC’s Tony Bradley — a towering 6-foot-10-inch center with elite length and an unquestionable nose for grabbing rebounds — with the 28th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft with the intention of molding him into a suitable longterm backup behind star defensive maestro Rudy Gobert.

Two years into the Tony Bradley experience and they, essentially, have nothing to show for it. Bradley has only donned a Jazz uniform in a meager 10 total games through 1.5 seasons of professional basketball, with only three field goals and 14 rebounds to his name.

In 41 games (spanning this season and last season) for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, Bradley is averaging 14.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 57.5 percent from the field. He has been unequivocally and undeniably fine. Not great, not horrible — just fine.

For onlookers, the unproven second-year center has little value in the trade market. So, why is he included here?

His inclusion is more of a speculative addition considering the rumors swirling around a potential Jazz trade for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley. According to various reports, the lottery-bound Grizzlies are shifting their focus to shipping out veterans, including the 31-year-old point guard, with the goal of receiving draft capital and young players in a returning package.

With the trade deadline inching closer, the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons are the two front-runners in a trade for the point guard’s services, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones. A potential Jazz package would be centered around either Ricky Rubio ($14.8 million) or Derrick Favors ($16.9 million) for salary-matching purposes — the rest of the package, i.e., the sweeteners, would be up to Memphis’ discretion. If the Grizzlies are hellbent on rebuilding, then acquiring an assortment of Utah’s younger players — Dante Exum (23), Royce O’Neale (25), Grayson Allen (23) or Tony Bradley (21) — would be preferable.

Bradley’s departure from The Wasatch Front isn’t imminent, but Jazz fans and Tar Heel fans alike should be wary. No one is safe come trade season.

Home/Tar Heels in the Pros