Utah Jazz: Potential Wing Targets in Case Joe Ingles is Too Expensive

Omri Casspi

5.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1 APG, .459 FG%, .389 3pt FG%

Casspi has long been linked to the Jazz on Salt City Hoops, since May 2015. He’s a similar player to Ingles, one who can play at the 2, 3, or 4, play above average defense and knock down three pointers.

Unfortunately he was one of too many wings on the Sacramento Kings for most of this season, competing for minutes with the likes of Rudy Gay, Matt Barnes, Ben McLemore, Arron Afflalo and Malachi Richardson. There were several stretches this season where Casspi was given DNP-CDs, or just put on the inactive list, which is puzzling after the two solid seasons he had for the Kings prior to this year.

For 136 games he averaged 10.3 points, 4.9 boards, and 1.4 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, shooting at nearly 50 percent from the field while clearing 40 percent from the three. The only knock on Casspi’s game is his free throw shooting, where he shoots 67 percent for his career.

Watch him splash home nine triples in a career night against the Warriors back when he had rotation minutes with the Kings:

So while Casspi’s yet to find a rhythm in 2016-17, he’s proven he can be very effective as a sharpshooter if he’s given consistent minutes. Clark Schmutz of Salt City Hoops pinned Casspi as Utah’s number one trade target of the 2016 trade deadline, and here’s why:

"Casspi checks off almost all the boxes on what the Jazz might be looking for at the trade deadline. He’s a 27-year-old, versatile wing who can play the 2, 3 and 4 and who has thrived playing anywhere from 12 to 28 minutes per game. He could start for the Jazz or be an excellent role player as a scorer off the bench and adequate defender."

This makes Casspi the best possible replacement for Joe Ingles if Utah has to replace him. Chances are that Casspi will be looking for a team with a winning culture and stability after years in Sacramento and bouncing around to New Orleans and Minnesota this season.