The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Top free agent prospects from across the league

By Jared Woodcox

Jan 20, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and center Rudy Gobert (back) celebrate during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and center Rudy Gobert (back) celebrate during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Deron Williams

Speaking of reunions, bringing Deron Williams back into the fold is another real and beneficial possibility. Despite dealing with injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons, Williams has filled his role perfectly with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In eight playoff games so far, despite averaging just 6.4 points per game, D-Will has come up big when he’s been called upon as he’s shooting 62.1 percent from the field and an astounding 60 percent from deep.

In other words, he’s embraced a bench/backup role well and by excelling in that position is showing that he still has a lot left in the tank. Those kind of meaningful backup minutes could work wonders for the Utah Jazz.

However, if Utah throws significant money at George Hill this offseason, which is still looking like a real option, then it may not make much sense to add Williams. Sure, it would be nice to start Hill and have Williams serve as the leader of the second unit, but financially that might be a bit of a stretch. Not to mention it would likely further hinder the development of Dante Exum (though if Williams were just a replacement for Mack, I’m not sure any Jazz fan would complain).

Signing Deron Williams would make even more sense if the either the Jazz or George Hill opted to go a different direction. Hopefully if that were the case, Exum would take an enormous step forward this offseason and serve as the team’s starting point guard while Williams would be the leader of the second unit, providing the Jazz with a deep and daunting 10-man rotation.

Finally, there have been plenty of rumors alluding to Deron’s desire to “return home” and end his career where it started with the Jazz. There are a lot of mixed feelings towards Utah’s former franchise point guard, but if he returns wanting to make up for what fans perceive as slights and help provide this team with a critical boost much like he’s doing right now for the Cavs, then I’d imagine Jazz fans would be ecstatic to have him on board.

But at the end of the day, regardless of overall fan opinion, D-Will’s return could very well be the bolster at point guard that this team needs to excel.

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