Utah Jazz Free Agency: Potential Small Forward Targets
By Greg Foster
Jonas Jerebko
2015-2016 stats: 4.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.8 apg, .413 fg%, .398 3p%, 10.32 PER
This season, Jonas Jerebko didn’t just provide the overachieving Boston Celtics with a spark, he became a human lightning bolt. He’s the prototypical guy who thrives due to how hard he plays. His energy is contagious, and if you watched the Celtics at all this season, it’s easy to see how it rubbed off on his teammates.
Jazz fans LOVE guys like this. Just ask Demarre Carroll, Matt Harpring or Antoine Carr.
Combined with that energy, Jerebko also has the size and athleticism to play both inside and out. He can finish around the rim, and shoots the three-ball at nearly 40 percent. He also has the ability to play power forward when the Jazz want to go small and punish teams with an uptempo pace and shooting.
And while his season averages aren’t eye-popping, consider that in games three and four of the Celtics’ playoff series against the Hawks, Jerebko churned out back-to-back double-doubles. 13.5 points and 11 boards in 34 minutes is nothing to scoff at.
Energy, hustle and the ability to step up when his name is called? That’s a guy you want on your team.
Next: Jared Dudley