Utah Jazz rank 2018-19: Big man Isaac Haas is No. 18
By Ryan Aston
Former Purdue center Isaac Haas caught the attention of the Utah Jazz with his elite size and a strong post game.
If there’s a team in the NBA that’s committed to doing things its own way, regardless of the trends, it’s the Utah Jazz. While the whole of the Association is hyper-focused on going small and putting up points, the Jazz band is marching to a different drum beat.
They’ve got an old-school vibe; a determination to overwhelm the competition with their sheer size and soul-crushing defense. In that regard, Isaac Haas — the former Purdue big man who checks in at No. 18 on our Jazz rank countdown — may be tailor-made for the team.
Even as an undrafted rookie, Haas’ size and length put him in rarefied air league-wide. Haas was both the tallest (7-foot-3) and stoutest (over 300 pounds) of any prospect measured at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine. He also had the longest hand length at 10 inches and a 7-foot-5 wingspan.
But it’s not just his physical dimensions that give him a throwback feel. Haas also has a monster game in the low post. Per The Athletic, he scored more off of post-ups during his senior season with the Boilermakers than anyone Synergy’s database, which dates back to the 2006-07 season.
Low-post scoring may not be in vogue in the modern NBA, but it can still be a valuable asset. Particularly in second units, where getting buckets can be a bit more daunting. And the Jazz have already shown a propensity to buck the trends.
Having said that, Haas was signed to a training camp deal and faces an uphill battle to see regular season minutes with the Jazz. Utah’s 15-man roster is set and, even if it wasn’t, he’d have Ekpe Udoh and 2017 first-round pick Tony Bradley to contend with in the frontcourt rotation.
He also failed to make a significant impact on the floor in five summer league games with the Jazz.
Nevertheless, the Jazz can waive him after camp and still retain his G-League rights, which would keep him in-house for the season. From there, they could work to develop his game around that massive size. If he progresses, injuries or an open two-way spot away could deliver his shot.
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At the least, he could be a player to watch with the Salt Lake City Stars in the year ahead.