The J-Notes
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A far-too-early look at potential Utah Jazz free agent targets in 2018

By Jared Woodcox

Dennis Lindsey, Utah Jazz. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dennis Lindsey, Utah Jazz. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Although it’s far too early to be considering such a thing, here’s a look at some solid unrestricted free agent options for the Utah Jazz that hit the market in 2018.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 08: Dennis Lindsey General Manager of the Utah Jazz speaks to the press about signing George Hill and Joe Johnson to the Utah Jazz at Zions Bank Basketball Center on July 08, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 08: Dennis Lindsey General Manager of the Utah Jazz speaks to the press about signing George Hill and Joe Johnson to the Utah Jazz at Zions Bank Basketball Center on July 08, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In the wake of the departure of All-Star Gordon Hayward and with the free agent market quickly drying up, the Utah Jazz still managed to pull off some admirable moves despite the difficult situation they found themselves in by adding veterans Thabo Sefolosha, Jonas Jerebko and Ekpe Udoh. While it would have been nice to add a new talent that would instantly fill the void left by Hayward and soften the blow created by his absence, Utah didn’t have all that many viable options left and did a great job dealing with the hand they were dealt.

However, barring an unforeseen trade, it’s likely that Utah won’t do much more this offseason beyond inking the three vets on friendly contracts that were recently added to the mix. And if such is the case, it will largely signal that the Jazz plan to take stock of what they have on hand before making any franchise altering decisions in a year where winning a championship is a far cry regardless.

If it turns out that way, then the Jazz will more than likely have to turn their attention towards the offseason of 2018 (and perhaps beyond) in which they’ll need to then make some big decisions and perhaps some major moves if they hope to be thrust back into legitimate contention in the Western Conference.

And while we all know how unrewarding the free agency market has been historically for the Jazz in terms of blockbuster signings, the organization will still have to keep close tabs on which players set to hit the open market in the summer of 2018 could potentially become the best fits for the team.

So although the Jazz just barely made a trio of moves of their own and plenty could still happen throughout the league this summer, the following is a list of 2018 unrestricted free agents who very well ought to be targets that the Jazz look to make their own next year. Some are long shots, to be sure, though I’ve tried to be as realistic as possible when looking at this initial list.

Without further ado, as Utah looks to rebound from the Gordon Hayward departure over the long term, here’s the guys they ought to take a long hard look at next summer.

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