The J-Notes
Fansided

The argument for and against each of the trio of key Utah Jazz free agents

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Derrick Favors #15 and Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrive at the arena before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Derrick Favors #15 and Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrive at the arena before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Derrick Favors #15 and Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrive at the arena before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: Derrick Favors #15 and Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz arrive at the arena before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Utah Jazz will have plenty of tough decisions to make once free agency starts, particularly regarding their trio of key free agents – Derrick Favors, Dante Exum and Raul Neto.

The start of free agency is nearly upon us. And with the likes of LeBron James and Paul George among the free agent ranks and while Kawhi Leonard trade rumors swirl like a cyclone, it’s bound to be a crazy few days commencing as soon as the clock strikes midnight on July 1.

Whatever comes of the situations of those three players, and many, many others, is sure to shake the entire NBA. The Utah Jazz won’t be exempt from the implications of their decisions, even if they aren’t in the sweepstakes to land any one of them.

In fact, it’s beginning to appear that perhaps the Jazz will remain relatively quiet in free agency, with their focus being placed more on retaining their own free agents rather than seeking out new players to join their ranks. Of course, Utah is a notoriously tight-lipped organization, so it wouldn’t be surprising to ultimately learn that they have something up their sleeves and I truly expect a new player or two to join the Jazz ranks in the coming days.

But for the most part, I suspect we’ll mainly hear of their efforts to retain their key trio of free agents – Derrick Favors, Dante Exum and Raul Neto.

Of course, Favors is unrestricted and can ultimately join whatever team he wishes, whereas Exum and Neto are restricted, meaning the Jazz can match any offer sent their way to retain them. The Jazz extended both of the latter two players qualifying offers this week, clearly solidifying their interest in keeping them both on board. What gets tricky in their situations is if some team goes out on a limb and throws a large sum of money their way.

If that happens, the Jazz may find themselves in a tough spot.

No matter how you look at it, the Jazz are in for some difficult decisions in the coming days, particularly in regards to those three players. As such, here’s my argument for and against retaining each of Utah’s trio of impending free agents.

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