Utah Jazz alumni: Fan favorite Trevor Booker headed to China

Former Utah Jazz fan favorite Trevor Booker will be playing overseas next season with the Shanxi Brave Dragons out of China.

Some former Utah Jazz players don’t exactly leave the best of tastes in the mouths of Jazz fans after they leave Salt Lake City. The likes of Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter and others throughout the years don’t expect to be warmly welcomed when they return to Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Other players find themselves on the exact opposite end of the spectrum, as even though they no longer find themselves with the Jazz, they remain firmly planted in the hearts of the Utah faithful. Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll are two such players that instantly come to mind.

Another Jazzman that worked his way into the hearts of Jazz fans despite leaving the team a few years back is Trevor Booker. Booker was a part of the Utah roster during some rough times in which the Jazz didn’t make the playoffs. However, his contagious personality, relentless hustle and determined work ethic enshrined him as a Jazz fan favorite for life.

In fact, at one point this summer, there were speculative reports that Booker and the Jazz were potentially pursuing a reunion. This excited many Jazz fans who were anxious to see their former beloved player back in the blue, green and gold. Of course, however, such didn’t end up being the case. Aside from newly drafted Grayson Allen, the only new addition to the Utah Jazz roster this offseason was the official signing of Georges Niang.

Booker had somewhat of an interesting season last year, as he began with the Brooklyn Nets, then was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. After appearing in just 33 games for Philly, he was waived and eventually scooped up by the Indiana Pacers. He was a nice veteran presence for the Pacers and helped them to push the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs.

However, after the Pacers opted not to re-sign him, and after either no team pursued him or no team was willing to offer him what he thought he deserved, it appears that Booker will be playing away from the NBA this next year.

Trevor recently took to Twitter to announce that he would be taking his talents to China this upcoming season–

It’s sad to see Booker state that “the summer didn’t pan out as [he] hoped”, but his confidence in making a return to the NBA is refreshing to see. According to a report from HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy, Booker will be joining the Shanxi Brave Dragons in China, but expects to join a playoff-caliber team sometime this season.

In other words, don’t be surprised if Book’s stint out of the NBA is a short one. I agree with him completely when he says he belongs in the NBA. He has a versatile game, tireless hustle and indomitable heart that make him an asset for any team.

I’m certain that several Jazz fans would still love to see Trevor Booker return to sport a Utah jersey in Salt Lake City. Unfortunately for him, the Jazz opted to stick with continuity over adding much for new faces. Maybe once the playoffs get closer, the Jazz will find themselves in need of a gritty veteran capable of providing an instant spark and they’ll turn to Booker. Or perhaps further down the road, the two parties will find a need for one another once again.

For now, though, the Jazz are set in their path for 2018-19, while Booker is setting off on a brand new journey. Hopefully it will be one that will lead to instant success and fulfillment now and a chance to thrive with an NBA playoff team in the not-so-distant future.

And while I truthfully think the chances are pretty slim, if Booker’s path does eventually bring him back to Utah one day, I’m sure such a destiny will be met with little to no complaints.