Utah Jazz: Five free agent options at the center spot

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers grabs a rebound in front of Donovan Mitchell #45 and Jonas Jerebko #8 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center on November 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers grabs a rebound in front of Donovan Mitchell #45 and Jonas Jerebko #8 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center on November 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Amir Johnson Philadelphia 76ers Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell
PHILADELPHIA,PA – NOVEMBER 20 : Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers puts up the layup against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Amir Johnson

Amir Johnson is a player I’ve thought of as a solid potential Jazzman for a few years now. The 31-year-old big man, who’s started nearly 500 games in his NBA career, would be a good fit on the floor and in the locker room.

Let’s start with his basketball skills.

With a career effective field goal percentage hovering just below 60 percent, Johnson continues to be a player who you can throw the ball to at the rim and he’ll get buckets for you. Last season, he made 71 percent of his shot attempts within three feet of the basket. And while it’s a 3-point league, those are still incredibly valuable shots.

He’s never been a crazy rim protector, but he’ll give you a yeoman’s effort defensively on the block. He even took home the 2018 NBA Hustle Award. Also — the Philadelphia 76ers allowed just 101.3 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor last year and were a point worse when he sat.

Johnson averaged just under five points and five boards per game in 2017-18.

Away from the court, he brings passion, a positive locker room presence, 13 years of NBA experience and a reputation for being a force for good in the community. These are all things that the Jazz place great value on.

Overall, he’s a pretty solid depth option. He’s starting to slow down a little bit, but he’s still got bounce to his game.

Next: Montrezl Harrell