Utah Jazz Top 5 Early Potential Free Agent Targets: Small Forwards
By Ryan Aston
Mar 8, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Mike Dunleavy (R) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (L) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
4. Mike Dunleavy, Chicago Bulls
At 34-years-old, Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy is the elder statesman of this list. Nonetheless, his shooting ability, court vision and basketball smarts have been an invaluable asset for Chicago’s offense. They could be equally as vital to Quin Snyder’s system with the Jazz.
Dunleavy would stretch the floor for the team’s second unit like no player has in recent years. His effective field goal percentage from 20-to-24 feet away from the basket is an incredible 63.8-percent. For comparison, Stephen Curry is posting an EFG of just under 61-percent from the same range this season.
Defensively, Dunleavy is better than you think. His defensive field goal percentage differential is negative across the board. In other words, players shoot below their normal percentages from every zone on the court when Dunleavy is guarding them.
Given his size (six-foot-nine, 230 pounds), toughness and rebounding ability, Dunleavy can also slide up to the four spot and play as an agile stretch big in spots. Age aside, he’s exactly the sort of multi-talented player the Jazz could use.
Next: 3. Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic