The J-Notes
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Does Isaac Haas have a future with the Utah Jazz?

By Josh Padmore

SIOUX FALLS, SD - JANUARY 30: Isaac Haas #44 of the Salt Lake City Stars goes to the basket against the Sioux Falls Skyforce during the NBA G League on January 30, 2019 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Dave Eggen/NBAE via Getty Images)
SIOUX FALLS, SD - JANUARY 30: Isaac Haas #44 of the Salt Lake City Stars goes to the basket against the Sioux Falls Skyforce during the NBA G League on January 30, 2019 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Dave Eggen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After spending this past season with the Salt Lake City Stars, Isaac Haas may have a chance to make the Utah Jazz roster next season.

Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert is a big man. At 7-foot-1 and 245 pounds, he soars over most of his opposition.

Isaac Haas is an even bigger man. At 7-foot-2 and 295 pounds, he towers over all of his opposition.

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, the former Purdue star signed a contract with the Jazz. He was later waived after training camp, but the Jazz retained his G-League rights. As a result, Haas played last season with the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s G-League affiliate.

Being so big, and coming off a fractured elbow he suffered during the NCAA Tournament in 2018, Haas understandably had limited minutes with the Stars as a starter. Still, like in college, Haas was very productive despite not being able to play as many minutes.

Per 40 minutes, Haas averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds per game during his career at Purdue. Those numbers are obviously not sustainable, but they show how productive and active he is when he’s in the game. He’s similar to Boban Marjanovic, who has established himself as a nice backup center in the NBA.

Like Marjanovic, Haas has a really nice touch on his jump-shot. He doesn’t shoot threes, but he makes his foul shots and has a soft touch around the basket. Haas shot 74-percent from the free-throw line with the Stars. Overall, Haas averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game in his first year as a pro.

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Now, the Jazz are entering the offseason with an interesting predicament at center. They have Gobert and Tony Bradley, but that’s it. Derrick Favors, who plays backup center a lot, has a future that’s up in the air with the Jazz. Ekpe Udoh will be a free agent this summer. That leaves a good opportunity for a guy like Haas, who’s familiar with the organization, to make the team.

Whether it’s an official roster spot or a two-way roster spot, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Haas with the Jazz next season. His size alone makes him intriguing. Couple in his soft touch and familiarity with the team, he could make a nice option for the Jazz.

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