The J-Notes
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 8
Next
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Fred VanVleet

Last, but not least, if the Jazz are looking for a jack-of-all trades guard who would fit the mold of a Jazzman, then they should look no further than Fred VanVleet. The second-year player out of Wichita State was incredible for the Toronto Raptors this past season, and even though they struggled in the postseason, he was a big reason why their bench was so good throughout the regular season and helped spur the team to 59 wins.

He’s a high IQ player that plays hard and defends well. But, once again, a trait that the Jazz may value the most is his three-point shooting. VanVleet burnt the nets down from deep this past year, converting at a 41.4 percent clip.

The concern would obviously be where he would fit in a crowded Utah backcourt, but with the likes of Dante Exum and Alec Burks having less than certain futures with the Jazz, if Utah could steal VanVleet at a friendly rate, they may be wise to lock him down as an ideal rotation player for years to come.

He’ll certainly be worth more than the $1.3 million he made this past year, but he is an unrestricted free agent, meaning that if the Jazz can offer him a desirable situation and nab him at a reasonable price, he could be an exceptional pickup for a team that could use his shooting and effort.

Next: Utah Jazz ’17-18 review: Ricky Rubio wins over the hearts of Jazz fans

Whether or not the Jazz aim to make a huge splash this offseason, don’t be surprised to see them also make one or more savvy moves to shore up their 15-man roster and add ever-important rotation players or high-potential guys to their fold.

As they do so, each of these aforementioned under-the-radar guys that don’t figure to break the bank should certainly be on their short list. While none of them may be the piece that turns the Jazz into title contenders, each of them has unique skills that, at a minimum, would make Utah better as they continue to develop into a powerhouse in the Western Conference.

Home/Jazz News