D-League Targets For The Injured Utah Jazz

Apr 11, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA;Orlando Magic guard Doron Lamb (1) shoots over Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) in the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz have been bitten by the injury bug. Alec Burks is out for the rest of the season as he just had shoulder surgery. Rodney Hood was next in line to start at the SG position, but has recently suffered an injury to his heel. The Jazz announced that he will be reevaluated next week. Patrick Christopher was next up to play SG for the Jazz, but he dislocated his knee in the matchup versus the Hawks. There is a good chance he is done for the year. If that weren’t enough, Enes Kanter is now dealing with a sprained ankle.

So the Jazz are in the situation where they need help at the wing positions. The NBA has exceptions to help teams when they are riddled with injuries. The first option is to apply for a disabled player exception. This does not make much sense, as it is just to help teams with cap issues. As the Jazz are under the cap, this likely will not be an option the pursue.

The more likely scenario is that the Utah Jazz apply for a hardship exception. Our own Clint Peterson wrote all about this here. A hardship exception is essentially when the NBA allows a team to have more than 15 players on their roster until the injured players return. This would allow the Jazz to add a player without cutting one. The Jazz could also simply choose to cut Christopher.

So, if the Jazz are going to add a player, who would they look at? There are many tantalizing options in the D-League. So let’s have a look at some of the options.

Elliot Williams

Elliot is a 25 year old SG out of Memphis. Williams was selected with the 22nd pick by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2010 NBA Draft. After playing in 24 games with Portland, Williams was released. Since then he had bounced around to a couple teams and their D-League affiliates. Chad Ford from ESPN described Elliot during the draft as a long, athletic combo guard, that plays with great energy and enthusiasm, is an explosive leaper with a quick first step, is terrific in the open court, and an excellent on the ball defender.

Williams is currently playing with the Santa Cruz Warriors. He is averaging 22.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and is shooting 40.0% from three. He is an elite athlete that could help the Jazz on the defensive end. The biggest issue with Williams has always been his three-point shooting, but he seems to have improved on that this offseason.

Check out highlights from when Elliot Williams droped 27 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders.

Jabari Brown

The 6’4″ shooting guard out of Missouri was considered by many to be a sleeper, but things didn’t work out for him as he went undrafted in 2014 NBA draft. Jabari is a strong, athletic guard that can really shoot the ball. The problem with Brown at the time of the draft was that he seemed to take plays off on the defensive end. He has the physical tools to be a good guard, albeit slightly under sized.

Brown is currently averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and is shooting 43.4% from three. The 22 year old would add some much needed shooting to this Jazz team.

Watch as Jabari Brown erupts for 30 points for Los Angeles.

Doron Lamb was a member of the Kentucky team, lead by Anthony Davis, that won the 2012 NCAA Championship. Doron is a 6’4″ SG that was selected by the Bucks with the 42nd pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. At the time Doron was considered by many the best shooter in the draft. He is a decent athlete and a wonderful ball handler. Were he an inch taller, Lamb likely would have been selected in the first round of the draft.

Lamb is currently playing with the Texas Legends. He is averaging 19.2 points, 3.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and is shooting 43.2% from three. The year prior he shot 46.7% from three. This kid can shoot. That is something the Jazz are missing desperately with Burks and Hood out. They need a wing player who can shoot and spread the floor for Gordon Hayward.

Watch him drop 25. Notice how well he moves without the ball and attacks the basket. Both are skills the Jazz could use.

Adonis Thomas

Adonis is more of a 3/4 combo player than a 2/3, but he fits the needs of the Jazz. This 21 year old player out of Memphis is currently playing for the Grand Rapid Drive. Coming out of the draft, the concern on Thomas was his position. At 6’7″ Thomas had played PF most of his college career, but was going to have to make the transition to SF in the NBA. This made teams nervous and Adonis went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Though Adonis is small for a PF, he has a 7’1″ wingspan which leads one to beleive he could play both forward positions. Adonis is a crazy athlete. At the time of the draft he could not shoot, in fact he only shot 29% from three in college. He seems to have figured out his shot as he is currently averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and is shooting 39.8% from three on nearly six attempts a game. Adonis is very smart and would be able to make the reads that Quin Snyder’s system demands players to make. He is a very good passer and would fit well on the team. Thomas would add some size and be able to play some stretch-four in a pinch. Thomas cuts very well off the ball, runs the floor, and finishes at the basket.

Watch him drop 30 for the Grand Rapid Drives.

Vander Blue

Part of the reason Vander Blue is on this list is that I LOVE prospects from Marquette. They come out of that system and are almost always freaky good defenders. Look at the list of former Marquette players in the NBA. Jimmy Butler, Dwayne Wade, Jae Crowder, and Wesley Matthews. Need I say more? Blue fit that description coming out of the draft. He was known as an elite defender, crazy athlete, explosive to the basket, and a smart player. However, at 6′-4″ people were nervous about his size. He is essentially a wing who cannot shoot that is stuck in a PG’s body. Surprisingly Blue went undrafted in the 2013 draft.

Blue is currently playing for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He is averaging 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The exciting part about Blue’s game this year is that he is shooting 36.1% from three. Vander Blue is a lock down defender that fits the mentality Quin Snyder is trying to embed in the player. He is the type of guy that will be playing full-court pressure defense in a practice. He never gives up. Blue can be inserted into the game and you can rest assured he will up the tempo. Quin can throw him out there to lock down an opponent at the 1-3 positions. Vander Blue would be a similar player to former fan favorite, DeMarre Carroll.

Not excited about Vander Blue yet? Watch him drop 47 points in the D-League last year.

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