Utah Jazz: Naz Long signed to 10-day contract, Derrick Rose released
By Ryan Aston
Naz Mitrou-Long will reportedly rejoin the Utah Jazz on a 10-day contract. Meanwhile, trade deadline acquisition Derrick Rose has been released.
If the word on the street is to be believed, the Utah Jazz are set to ink a player who has never missed a shot in his NBA career. He may have only taken one shot, but that’s something, right? It was even a 3-pointer.
Per The Vertical’s Shams Charania, the Jazz are bringing Naz Mitrou-Long back to their main roster. Long previously spent time with the Jazz on a two-way deal. Now, he’ll reportedly re-join the squad on a 10-day contract.
Sources: The Utah Jazz plan to sign guard Naz Mitrou-Long on a 10-day contract. Long rejoins Jazz from G League's Salt Lake City, after guard Ricky Rubio suffered injury in win last night.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2018
After the Jazz released him previously, Long got back to balling out for the team’s G-League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. In 32 games with the club (27 starts), the former Iowa State standout — and college teammate of current Utah two-way guy Georges Niang — averaged16.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per contest.
He also knocked down 36 percent of his 8.9 3-point attempts per game.
In the short-term, it’s possible that Long could see time with the Jazz. Starting point guard Ricky Rubio suffered a hip injury during the team’s win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, so there may be mintues to fill in the backcourt. The injury doesn’t seem to be serious, but Rubio could miss time.
He’s currently listed as questionable for Sunday’s bout with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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The Stars will retain Long’s G-League rights.
Jazz part ways with former MVP Derrick Rose
Basketball fans in 2011 would flip their lids if you told them this would happen, but the Jazz have made the bold move to part ways with former NBA MVP Derrick Rose. He had been acquired by Utah ahead of the trade deadline in the Rodney Hood/Jae Crowder deal.
Rose, who averaged 9.8 points per game in just 16 appearances for the Cavs this season, was a tertiary part of said deal. His inclusion allowed the Jazz to create a small trade exception, which could prove handy in future deal-making.
Before injuries beset him, Rose had been a multi-time All-Star and the 2009 Rookie of the Year with the Chicago Bulls, in addition to his MVP run in ’11.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards are potential landing spots for Rose.