Utah Jazz offseason 2018: Checklist for the Jazz to become contenders
By John Keeffer
Target Shooting in Free Agency
The most obvious discovery during the second-round loss to the Houston Rockets is that the Jazz are severely outgunned. During this offseason — and specifically during the free-agency period — they need to target shooters.
Utah was able to generate decent shots during the Rockets series, but they just didn’t have the snipers to convert them into baskets. I’m a big fan of players like Dante Exum, Royce O’Neale, Jae Crowder and Alec Burks, but they just aren’t consistent knockdown 3-point shooters. Bringing in one to two more shooters would be a big boost to this offense.
Which off the bench shooter would you like to see the Jazz go after this off-season?
— John Keeffer (@john_keeffer) May 14, 2018
The Jazz are one of the few teams currently ready to compete in the playoffs, who actually have money available to spend during the offseason. If they choose to retain both Exum and Derrick Favors, money will be tight, but they should still have the ability to go after a solid role player.
The most expensive of those players (and perhaps too pricey for the Jazz), is the Denver Nuggets’ sixth man Will Barton. Barton will be turning 28 this next season, and he is coming off a year where he average nearly 16 points per game, to go along with five rebounds and four assists per game. He only costed the Nuggets $3.5 million last season. It’s safe to say he’ll be getting a pay raise, but how much?
If the Jazz can get him on a short-term deal for 10 million annually, he’d be a great fit. If that isn’t realistic, they can go after a couple lower profile players with high potential. My favorites for the Jazz to target are Joe Harris, Doug McDermott and Glenn Robinson III.
If I could pick, I’d go after Harris. He received a minimum contract from the Brooklyn Nets, and followed that up with a career year. Harris averaged 11 points per game and shot 40 percent from three, including 42 percent shooting on above the break threes.
The surprising number on Harris is his effectiveness as a driver. He is sneaky athletic, and finished with the highest field goal percentage on drives in the league. Reports have said he should cost $4-7 million annually.
Regardless of who the Jazz bring in via free agency, more 3-point shooting is a definite priority. Whether it’s targeted in free agency or the draft, it’s a need that must be addressed.