What’s Next for the Utah Jazz? NBA Free Agency 2013 Style
My goodness there is a lot to do around here. Offseason? What’s an offseason? For all 16 NBA teams that did not make the playoffs the work has just begun. Their players may be sipping piña coladas on a beach somewhere but front office personnel has plenty on their plates. Same goes for the staff here at The J Notes. I plan to write about our young players we still have under contract and how their sky is the limit. My fearless editor Josh Haslam has asked me to post a mock draft every Thursday and I will do so every week leading up to the draft (with the exception of the week of June 10-14, vacation baby!). For today however, I wanted to take a break from talking about the players we do have to take an early look at potential players that could be added to the roster this July. Things have the potential to change with early termination options held by players and teams and I will revisit this after the draft.
My editor put together a list of this year’s free agents that can be seen here: https://thejnotes.com/2013/04/21/2013-nba-free-agents/. The following list is of the players I am most intrigued by to possibly see in a Jazz uniform for the 2013-2014 season. (Note: All players listed are Unrestricted Free Agents right now)
Point Guard
Jarret Jack – Golden State Warriors – Underrated, traditional type point guard. Averaged 12.9 points, 5.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds in 29.7 min per game for a 15.93 PER. Good size at 6’3″.
Jose Calderon – Raptors/Pistons – This guy knows the pick and roll. 11.3 ppg, 7.1 apg in 29.6 mpg for a 18.80 PER. Also 6’3″ but 2 years older than Jack.
Shooting Guard
Kyle Korver – Atlanta Hawks – Boy do I miss his consistant 3 pt shooting. 10.9 ppg, 4 rpg 45.7% beyond the arc. Age is starting to be an issue but he can still shoot it. Willing role player.
J.J. Reddick – Milwaukee Bucks – Has turned himself into a decent player. 14.1 ppg, 14.74 PER, 36.6% from 3. Would he be willing to come off the bench?
Randy Foye – Utah Jazz – Would “Little Al” be willing to come back in a reserve role next year? 10.8 ppg, 41% from 3, Jazz record for 3 point makes in a season.
Small Forward
Mike Dunleavy – Milwaukee Bucks – I believe he would be a solid veteran presence. 10.5 ppg, 42.8% from 3, 13.64 PER. Another willing role player.
DeMarre Carroll – Utah Jazz – Alright Jazz Nation, who doesn’t want The Junk Yard Dog back? Every team needs a player like him.
Power Forward
Brandan Wright – Dallas Mavericks – A young guy that has performed well when given the minutes (sound familiar?). His averages aren’t high at 8.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, but he did average 1.2 bpg and has an eye popping 21.03 PER. Would be fun to watch him and Jeremy Evans jumping out of the gym in backup minutes to Kanter and Favors. He’ll probably receive a decent offer.
Elton Brand – Dallas Mavericks – I’m not kidding. Would be a great backup and mentor to our young bigs. Another high character vet. 7.2 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.2 bpg in 21.2 mpg. 15.19 PER.
Center
Samuel Dalembert – Milwaukee Bucks – Great shot blocker, sounds like he wants to play for the Heat though. 6.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.1 bpg and a 18.60 PER.
Al Jefferson – Utah Jazz – We all know what Big Al “do” and “don’t do.” If the price and years are right, could be hard for the Jazz to pass up.
Andrew Bynum – Philadelphia 76ers – Immature, coming off a major knee injury, didn’t play this past season, etc. Yes there are a lot of question marks and I’m probably in the minority here but I simply drool at the thought of Bynum and Favors protecting the rim together. The Jazz will talk with his agent I guarantee it. My guess would be that he most likely stays with the 76ers. This would be my wild card signing that most people wouldn’t be thinking of.
This year’s free agent class is not that exciting. Everyone expects Chris Paul to stay with the Clippers and Dwight Howard to stay with the Lakers or somehow end up with the Nets. This year’s draft and free agency though is about plugging holes and preparing for the 2014 draft and free agency which is going to be much, much better. Don’t be disappointed if the Jazz don’t make the splash you thought they would with their cap space. The Jazz need to sign Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward to extensions by October (which take into effect in 2014), and this is the year of the young guys anyway. As free agency nears I will revise this as we know other players intentions. Underwhelming, yes, but it’s all about surrounding our young guys with role players that mesh well with THEM, not the other way around.