Utah Jazz Free Agency: Potential Center Targets

Nene

2015-16 stats: 9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.9 spg, 1.7 apg, .544 fg%, .578 ft%, 16.8 PER

The No. 7 overall pick from the 2002 NBA Draft is no longer the player who helped Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets reach the Conference Finals, but he’s smart, he’s experienced and he still has something to offer an NBA team.

Before the Washington Wizards’ decision to go small this season, Nene had been an important piece to two playoff runs, averaging 14 and five in 2014 and 11 and five in 2015. This year, with nagging injuries and a decreased role, he saw his output drop to 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while the Wiz found themselves lottery bound.

This is undoubtedly the winter of what has been a long and productive career for the Brazilian, but he shouldn’t be done balling yet. Like Mozgov, Nene could offer the Jazz bench something on both ends of the floor, while also serving as a mentor for players like Gobert, Favors and Trey Lyles.

He’s never been a shot blocker, but even at the age of 33, a healthy Nene’s ability to play position defense in the post and draw charges would be huge for Utah’s second unit. Moreover, should the injury bug bite once again, Nene would give Quin Snyder the ability to start a big man with more than 22,000 minutes and 64 playoff games under his belt.

Whether or not the Jazz could count on having a healthy Nene could be the rub here.

Nevertheless, on a reasonably priced, short-term deal, Nene could make a lot of sense for the Jazz.

Next: Marreese Speights