Utah Jazz Free Agency: Potential Small Forward Targets

Kent Bazemore

2015-2016 stats: 11.6 ppg, 2.3 apg, 5.1 rpg, .441 fg%, .357 3p%, 13.42 PER

Thank you, Bazed God.

With how Kent Bazemore has played this season, he deserves to get Paid. Yes, that Paid, with a capital P. He’s been awesome and would instantly help the Jazz should he choose to take his talents to Salt Lake City.

In 2011, Bazemore won the Lefty Driesell Award for the best college defensive player. Not much has changed since he entered the NBA. He’s firmly established himself as a menace, and plays with ferocity, energy and nastiness every night.

In fact, Bazemore is a big reason the Hawks have the second most efficient defense in the NBA this year.

Bazemore’s game has blossomed in other ways, too. This season, Bazemore is posting nearly 12 points and over five rebounds a game. Throughout the season, he’s shown off his ability to play both inside and out. He’s a decent three-point shooter — even better from the corners — and has the athletic ability and explosiveness to finish in the paint or at the rim.

Not bad for a kid who went undrafted.

Bazemore is all heart. He’s also one of my favorite guys in the league. Adding him would help the Jazz in a myriad of areas that they’ve lacked in the past. He’d also contend with Trey Lyles for the team’s best bench celebrations. #BazeGaze

Next: Luol Deng