Paul George
Some of the biggest news among Utah Jazz fans lately has been that Donovan Mitchell is actively trying to recruit Paul George to Salt Lake City. Although I’m well aware that it’s an extreme long shot for Mitchell to be successful in this endeavor, it was also once a long shot for Mitchell to get into Utah’s starting lineup, to average over 20 points per game, to lead a team into the playoffs and become a Rookie of the Year candidate.
In other words, if Mitchell has taught us anything this past season, it’s that he excels at defying the odds. As improbable as it is that Paul George will agree to join the Jazz ranks, I’ve learned not to count Mitchell out until the fat lady sings. As such, let’s discuss what PG-13 could look like as a member of the Jazz.
The initial and obvious thought is – WOW. How incredible would it be to add a star of Paul George’s caliber to this Jazz team? There’s a very good chance that he could be Utah’s missing link and instantly push them into the title contention conversation.
Donovan Mitchell hit Paul George with yet another message recruiting him to the Utah Jazz. Via @jaredwoodcox https://t.co/KBkit8oCfy
— The J-Notes (@TheJNotes) June 19, 2018
He’s a dynamic offensive player capable of doing a little bit of everything, and when he’s hot, he’s an elite shot-maker from anywhere on the court. Not only can he explode to the rim and create his own shots, but he’s also a prolific 3-point shooter. He shot 40.1 percent from deep this past year and has been a consistent 37.6 percent perimeter threat for his career.
On top of all this, unlike some solid shooting or scoring candidates we’ve discussed thus far, one of the biggest pros about Paul George is that he would provide incredible offense while not giving anything up on the defensive end. He’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the game and is known for causing opposing stars absolute headaches.
While adding Paul George is likely little more than a pipe dream, it has the appearance of being a match made in heaven. He would very likely thrive in Quin Snyder’s offensive system that would set him up for several good looks and his defense would be an excellent fit. Of all the small forward free agent prospects this summer, Paul George is without a doubt the best option for the Jazz that has at least a tiny kernel of likelihood to actually come to fruition.
Next: Utah Jazz summer league roster beginning to take shape
The start of free agency is just over a week away, and there’s bound to be some significant player movement this summer bringing about exciting changes. The Jazz will have no shortage of options to pursue, and ideally they’ll be able to land a player or two that helps them become all the more daunting of a threat next season.