The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Several potentially fitting free agents snatched up in early hours

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder hug after Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder hug after Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 20: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 20: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Trevor Ariza

This was perhaps one of the oddest moves of the early hours of free agency. In a complete “show me the money” kind of move, Trevor Ariza inked a one-year, $15 million deal with the Phoenix Suns.

This has big implications on the Utah Jazz for a few reasons. First off, many thought Ariza would be an ideal fit in Utah due to his hard-nosed defense and shooting capabilities. That’s obviously off the table now. Also, rather than pursue a championship, Ariza is clearly embracing a high-paying mentor role on a young Phoenix team that doesn’t figure to be a threat at all this season. In doing so, he’s also definitely hurting the West-leading Houston Rockets.

The Rockets manhandled the Jazz in the playoffs this past year, but if they begin to decline at all, it could open a nice window of opportunity for Utah moving forward.

Last of all, the Suns were a team that purportedly could have interest in Utah’s pair of key free agents Derrick Favors and Dante Exum. This acquisition would seem to slam the door shut on Exum and likely make things a bit too crowded for Favors (especially after drafting Deandre Ayton).

Ariza is off the Jazz’s target list (assuming he was ever there to begin with), but is also off a Western Conference rival. And now the Suns have next to no chance of being able to poach one of Utah’s free agents.

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