With the NBA Draft now over, and free agency set to begin on July 1st, the Utah Jazz are looking to add some veteran free agent players to their roster, which is currently very young.
We already took a look at the free agent point guards the Jazz should consider looking at. Now we will take a closer look at the shooting guard position.
The Jazz currently have some options at the two guard. In fact, with the options that they currently have in place, they might not even be looking to add a lot there. The Jazz just finished up the NBA Draft, where they drafted Dante Exum out of Australia, who can play both the point guard and shooting guard position, as well as Rodney Hood of Duke who, with his length, size, and shooting ability, can play both the shooting guard and small forward position.
On top of those two players, the Jazz still have Alec Burks on the team. Alec will be looking to see some heavy minutes this season, as he is entering a contract year. The Jazz have until the October 31st deadline to sign Alec to a contract extension. If they can’t get a deal done, Alec will enter next off season as a restricted free agent. Speaking of restricted free agents, the Jazz are also planning on bringing back Gordon Hayward, who spent a lot of time last season playing the shooting guard position.
So with all the options that the Jazz seem to have there, is there really any room to add more depth at that position? Considering what needs the Jazz will have to fill at other spots on the floor, they may not look to spend too much time here, but if they need to add more depth, there will be options.
One guy that the Jazz have gone after in the past in free agency is Anthony Morrow, who
Feb 19, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Anthony Morrow (3) shoots against the New York Knicks during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
recently opted out of the final year of his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans to become an unrestricted free agent. Morrow is a fantastic outside shooter. Last season with the Pelicans, Morrow shot 45.1% from beyond the three point line, one of his better averages in his career.
Morrow didn’t get a ton of playing time in New Orleans. He only averaged 18 minutes per game. However, in those 18 minutes, Morrow was able to put up 8.4 points per game.
The Jazz are looking to add some free agents that have some experience. Morrow has been around the league a little bit, playing with the Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and the Pelicans. At 28 years old, Morrow isn’t much older and wiser than what the Jazz currently have on the roster, but he could bring some depth to a position that seemingly is already pretty deep.
One guy the Jazz could consider is Willie Green from the Los Angeles Clippers. Green is a reliable veteran with 10 years worth of experience in the NBA. At 32 years old, the Clippers decided not to pick up his team option and made him an unrestricted free agent. Does he have much value left?
Green has never been much of a scorer. For his career, Green posts an average of 8.5 points per
October 25, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Willie Green (34) shoots a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
game. He can shoot the ball fairly well, if needed, going 42.8% from the field in his career. At 32 years old though, he could be looking at the back end of his career. However, with that being said, that could be something the Jazz look into.
With a team as young as the Jazz, they need some free agents that can take on a mentoring role for the young guys. Green could possibly play that role. He has played for the Philadelphia 76ers for seven seasons, the New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks for one season each, and then spent the last two years with the Clippers. In those 10 years, he has been to the playoffs seven times.
He has experience and could be a great mentor for the young guys. With a position that is as deep as it currently is for the Jazz, adding a guy like Green who is towards the end of his career, for more of a mentor role than a playing role, could be something the Jazz consider.
Will either of these guys play in Utah next season? More than likely not. The Jazz already have a ton of options there and need depth at point guard worse than here, but if they do decide to go this route, either of these two could be options for the Jazz to look at.