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New Orleans • The next three days promise to be interesting for the Jazz, their front office and those who follow the team.

With the NBA's trade deadline looming Thursday afternoon, the Jazz are open to engaging in talks, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned. That doesn't mean general manager Dennis Lindsey will pull the trigger on a deal. But it does mean the Jazz will listen if something makes sense for them.

Making sense is the key. The Jazz are in win-now mode, and are walking a line that could get thin.

If they are to think about a deal, it will have to make the Jazz better in the interim without jeopardizing the franchise financially in the long term.

That means the Jazz are hesitant to take back a player in the midst of a lengthy contract. It also means the Jazz will be hesitant to take back a player who makes a lot of money long-term. Utah will have to commit significant dollars to Gordon Hayward, George Hill and even Joe Ingles in free agency this summer.

So while the Jazz are roughly $13 million under the salary cap and $4 million shy of the salary cap floor, Utah's financial situation is on the verge of change.

At the same time, the Jazz have flexibility through the end of the season, which they can use to improve a team that's fighting for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

As of Monday morning, there are players who potentially fit the criteria the Jazz are looking for. According to reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are dangling combination guard Lou Williams, one of the better sixth men in the NBA.

Williams makes $7 million per season through the end of next year, a cheap price tag for a scorer of his talent. And with the Jazz needing scoring off the bench, Williams is someone who could fit that bill.

On Sunday night, following the NBA All-Star Game, the Sacramento Kings stunning traded their star center, DeMarcus Cousins, to the New Orleans Pelicans. That deal, according to multiple reports, made power forward Terrence Jones available, as the Pelicans are trying to find a new home for Jones.

Lindsey has proven to be aggressive at the deadline in past seasons. Two years ago, he traded Enes Kanter, after the rise of Rudy Gobert made the big man expendable. The Jazz will likely receive Oklahoma City's 2018 first-round pick as compensation.

Last February, Utah needed help at the point guard spot and traded a second-round pick for Shelvin Mack. Because they are under the salary cap, the Jazz have the ability to take on a player without matching contracts. And that greatly enhances their ability to maneuver in the trade market.

As the season hurtles toward the playoffs, the Jazz are 35-22, a half game behind the Los Angeles Clippers in the battle for the fourth spot in the Western Conference.

Utah has proved to be as good as advertised, but the Jazz lost three of four heading into the All-Star break, with only a home win against the Portland Trail Blazers preventing a four game losing streak.

The Jazz will begin their final 25-game stretch on Friday at Milwaukee, the opener of a three-game trip.

"We know that we're going to have to come out and play well," Utah all-star forward Gordon Hayward said. "This is a big road trip to start the second half, and teams are gearing up to make a run. We have to be ready."

Twitter: @tribjazz —

Three things to watch in the second half

Derrick Favors' health • The Jazz starting power forward has been battling knee issues all season. For Utah to maximize its playoff potential, Favors has to be as close to 100 percent as possible.

Dante Exum • The young point guard has started to play better after previously having a rough season. Can he continue his upswing?

Jazz trade scenarios • Utah has the potential to make a minor deal, a relatively major deal, or stand pat. Which way will General Manager Dennis Lindsey go?

Jazz at Bucks

Friday, 6 p.m.

TV • ROOT