The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Seven potential under-the-radar free agent targets

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Utah Jazz mascto entertains the crowd at the start of the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Utah Jazz mascto entertains the crowd at the start of the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 25: Jose Calderon #81 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a second half three point basket while playing the Indiana Pacers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 98-95 to take a 3-2 series lead. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 25: Jose Calderon #81 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a second half three point basket while playing the Indiana Pacers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 98-95 to take a 3-2 series lead. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Jose Calderon

OK, don’t roll your eyes at me, hear me out first on this one. I know that Jose Calderon is 36 years old and that his best years are far behind him. I also know that the Jazz are pretty much set at the guard positions with Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell making up the starting backcourt and Dante Exum (assuming he’s retained) and Royce O’Neale coming off the bench.

However, there’s a decent chance that the Jazz and Raul Neto end up parting ways this summer, and if they do, Jose Calderon could be a nice stopgap as the third-string point guard. He’s proven with Cleveland this season that he still has plenty left in his tank. Though his shooting has struggled somewhat in the playoffs, during the regular season he shot 50.3 percent from the field and an astounding 46.4 percent from deep.

That right there checks off a nice box for the Jazz – they need additional 3-point shooters and Calderon would help provide that. Even if his minutes and opportunities were limited, he’d be invaluable as a veteran leader and potential injury replacement.

Not only can he shoot well, but Calderon is as savvy and experienced as any point guard in the league at running an offense. He’s gritty to boot and a relentless hustler, even for his age. Again, he’s not going to push the Jazz to another level, but he’s about as steady of an option for a third-string guy as they come. Not to mention, as a Spaniard himself, Calderon would likely have an excellent chemistry with starting point guard Ricky Rubio.

His personality and play style appear as if they would be ideal fits for the Jazz, and considering that he is an unrestricted free agent that made just over $2 million this past season, he could be an affordable target for the Jazz that brings veteran experience while bolstering their guard play off the bench.

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