After having his qualifying offer revoked, Nemanja Bjelica is now an unrestricted free agent and the Utah Jazz are expected to pursue.
Last week here on TheJNotes.com, we reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves had extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent and potential Utah Jazz target Nemanja Bjelica. This didn’t come as a surprise by any means, but it did mean that if the Jazz wanted to pursue his services, they’d have to be ready for the Timberwolves to match any offer they sent his way.
In other words, prying him away felt as if it would be pretty difficult.
Now, however, that has completely shifted. Bjelica is currently very much available and it appears the Jazz may be in pursuit.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced that the Wolves had renounced their qualifying offer to Bjelica and would therefore be making him an unrestricted free agent. This will allow the Serbian professional to sign with any team he so chooses.
Minnesota withdrew qualifying offer on Nemanja Bjelica, who will become an unrestricted free agent, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018
Later, several reports from local media, including KSL’s Andy Larsen and the Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones, indicated that the Jazz indeed have interest in Bjelica and are planning to pursue him.
And now this becomes a very likely target for Utah to sign, now that they don't have to beat an offer Minnesota would match. (Probably bad news for Jerebko, too) https://t.co/GfZP4yYeFb
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) July 2, 2018
Hearing the Jazz have real interest in Belly....I'd be shocked if Exum is anywhere else next season. the Jazz value him https://t.co/79r3AwzH5Z
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) July 2, 2018
Bjelica is a target that we here at The J-Notes have had our eyes on for quite some time. I know that I personally would be excited to see him join Utah’s ranks. He’s a sharpshooter from behind the arc, converting on 41.5 percent of his 3-pointers. He also brings nice size to the table at six-foot-ten, 230 pounds, making him a formidable stretch-four option for the Jazz. He’s also an underrated passer that could likely be developed quite well and be better-utilized in Utah.
The Jazz also reportedly inquired about Bjelica at the trade deadline and he is very close with Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio. Considering those two facts, especially now that he’s available, it seems highly likely that Utah will make a serious run at him. This is exciting news for him and for the Utah Jazz, but unfortunately is probably bad news for Jonas Jerebko.
Bjelica would be an excellent target for the Jazz with their MLE, would likely lead to a Jerebko waiver. He's nonguaranteed until 7/9 at just over $4m. https://t.co/9bhPkNS43H
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) July 2, 2018
Jerebko’s contract is non-guaranteed for the 2018-19 season, and having both he and Bjelica on the team would likely be a little redundant. The Jazz have until the beginning of next week to decide whether to guarantee Jerebko’s contract or decline the option. If they add Bjelica, then for positional, financial and roster spot reasons, it seems like a near guarantee that Jerebko would be let go.
This is a little sad considering that Jerebko was an awesome spark plug for the Jazz on a number of occasions who also shot the ball well from deep in limited opportunities. In fact, his size and numbers are quite similar to those of Bjelica. However, I still believe that Bjelica would be an upgrade, and adding him over Jerebko would likely be an acceptable sacrifice.
Next: Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors set to ink two-year deal with Utah
For now, though, this is all speculation. Bjelica is free to go where he pleases, and while Utah may very well pursue him, there’s no guarantee that an agreement will be reached. The answer could be forthcoming very soon, so be sure to stay glued to TheJNotes.com for all your free agency updates.