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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May 23, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) defends Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) in the third quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) defends Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) in the third quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Shelvin Mack Replacement: Deron Williams

Shelvin Mack:

2016-17 Stats: 21.9 MIN, 7.8 PTS, 44.6 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 68.8 FT%, 2.3 REB, 2.8 AST, 0.8 STL

2016-17 Salary: $2,433,334

Deron Williams:

2016-17 Stats: 25.9 MIN, 11.0 PTS, 43.8 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 82.6 FT%, 2.3 REB, 5.6 AST, 0.5 STL

2016-17 Salary: $410,733 (Cleveland), $9,000,000 (Dallas)

Bringing in Deron Williams to replace Shelvin Mack as a backup point guard makes a lot more sense if the Jazz don’t retain George Hill, however, if that’s the case then Williams could potentially be considered the starter and a replacement for Hill. But for these intents and purposes, we’ll just look at Williams as a Mack replacement, which could be viable if both Mack and Hill leave in free agency and the Jazz decide to turn the point guard reins over to Dante Exum.

Of course the biggest discrepancy here is between the contracts as Deron’s six-figure deal with Cleveland for an end-of-season championship run isn’t anywhere close to what he’d demand for a full-blown contract with the Jazz. However, he’s alluded to the fact that he’d like to finish his career in Utah and as such could be willing to take a discount to do so, particularly as he nears the twilight of his career.

With that being said, I’d still expect him to make more than Mack’s extremely friendly $2.4 million contract, but it’s feasible that if Utah loses both of its point guards then the team could afford to allocate the required money to sign him.

From a basketball standpoint, Williams would definitely be an upgrade over Mack. He’s a much better passer and floor general, and if he’s leading the offense in the second unit, he could be a great leader of a formidable group.

He’s evidenced that as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers as his per-36 in the playoffs heading into Thursday night was 11.5 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 50 percent from the floor and nearly 50 percent from deep. Then in Cleveland’s Game 5 victory he exploded for 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 2-of-3 from deep in just 17 minutes of play.

There’s obviously a lot of “ifs and buts” involved here and I wouldn’t exactly say that Williams and Mack are completely comparable from a talent or salary standpoint, but if the Jazz need extra point guard help due to point guard departures, it surely would make a lot of sense and it’s clear that Deron still has a lot left in the tank.

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