The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: A far-too-early look at potential free agent targets this summer

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Nemanja Bjelica

Current Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Status: Unrestricted

What I like:

Nemaja Bjelica isn’t a sexy pickup by any stretch of the imagination. However, he could very well be a nice rotational piece that simply helps make Utah better and deeper. His specialty is sinking three-balls and he does so exceptionally well at a 44.5 percent clip.

Not only that, but the Jazz have done a great job putting together a culture where international players want to come play and thrive in said system, meaning the Serbian pro could very well be intrigued by joining up with Quin Snyder and the Jazz. He’s a former teammate of Ricky Rubio’s and the two could very well be a match made in heaven and further Utah’s spectacular chemistry.

What I don’t like:

Bjelica doesn’t give a whole lot other than three-point shooting, and while he does that very well, his one-dimensionality may not be exactly what the Jazz are looking for. He’s also almost 30 years old, and while Joe Ingles proved that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks, Bjelica may not be exactly the project the Jazz want to take on.

Final Thoughts:

Chemistry-wise and of course because of his skills as a deep-ball threat, Bjelica could be a nice under-the-radar addition for the Jazz, especially if he could be signed at a similarly friendly rate as he is currently at with the Timberwolves ($3.9 million). I don’t see him being at the top of Utah’s list by any means, but would still be completely happy with him as a free agent pickup.

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