The J-Notes
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Five replacements if Utah Jazz can’t retain free agents

By Jared Woodcox

May 2, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2, left) and forward Gordon Hayward (20, right) sit on the bench during the fourth quarter in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2, left) and forward Gordon Hayward (20, right) sit on the bench during the fourth quarter in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Lavoy Allen (5) is guarded by Philadelphia 76ers forward Carl Landry (7) during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Philadelphia 91-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Lavoy Allen (5) is guarded by Philadelphia 76ers forward Carl Landry (7) during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Philadelphia 91-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Withey Replacement: Lavoy Allen

Jeff Withey:

2016-17 Stats: 8.5 MIN, 2.9 PTS, 53.4 FG%, 75.0 FT%, 2.4 REB, 0.1 AST, 0.3 STL, 0.6 BLK

2016-17 Salary: $1,015,696

Lavoy Allen:

2016-17 Stats: 14.3 MIN, 2.9 PTS, 45.8 FG%, 69.7 FT%, 3.6 REB, 0.9 AST, 0.3 STL, 0.4 BLK

2016-17 Salary: $3,500,000

To be frank, there’s a lot that isn’t ideal about this replacement. Lavoy Allen posted the exact same number of points as Jeff Withey in about double the minutes. Also, Withey was much more efficient from the field, although Allen does have more of a mid-range game than Withey which would by nature drop his overall field goal percentage.

Furthermore, when looking at per-36 minutes numbers, Withey has the edge in points and rebounds over Lavoy. Not to mention, although Allen has played both power forward and center during his career, at six-foot-nine he would be undersized as a rim-protecting center. Last of all, his salary this past year was over three times greater than that of Withey’s, not exactly ideal for a Jazz team that will be pinching their pennies to try to keep their key free agents this summer.

So with all that you may be asking, then what makes him a good replacement option? Well, aside from the fact that there aren’t a whole lot of other reasonable options at the position or price range, there are some qualities I like about Allen.

Despite his per-36 rebounding numbers being less than Withey’s, he is a good rebounder and plays with plenty of heart and hustle. He appears to be a good locker room guy and his size and somewhat of a mid-range game give him some versatility that would be an upgrade over Withey.

It’s important to note that Allen’s Indiana Pacers currently have a team option for him in 2017-18, meaning that if they wish to, they could opt to keep Allen for one more year at his current salary. However, given that the Pacers may very well be looking to add some significant talent this offseason in a desperate attempt to appease Paul George, and that Kevin Seraphin largely took over Allen’s role, I have a feeling they’ll likely waive Lavoy.

If they do so, based on the fact that he had a less than memorable 2016-17 season, the Jazz may be able to net him for an even more manageable contract than the Pacers had him at and, quite honestly, Allen’s one of those guys who I think could benefit from a change of scenery. He wouldn’t be a game-changer for the Jazz, but neither was Withey and that’s not exactly what he would be needed for.

Instead he’d provide some nice versatile depth off the bench as he could sub for either Rudy Gobert or Derrick Favors. He likely wouldn’t have much playing time, but he would be a nice insurance policy for a Jazz team that could certainly use some additional frontcourt depth, especially if Withey goes elsewhere.

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