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Report: Utah Jazz had interest in Fred VanVleet this summer

Zachary Padmore|
TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

It appears as though the Utah Jazz showed interest in Fred VanVleet when he was a free agent earlier this offseason.

The Utah Jazz didn’t make any major moves in free agency this year. Dennis Lindsey and company had another goal in mind this summer: to retain all of the team’s impending free agents.

They accomplished that goal, re-signing Derrick Favors, Dante Exum and Raul Neto. They drafted Grayson Allen, picked up Ekpe Udoh‘s team option, and are re-loading for the 2018-19 season. Aside from some of the youth on the roster, this team looks almost identical to last year’s team.

However, the Jazz were reportedly interested in at least one free agent on the open market.

Blake Murphy of The Athletic released an article detailing the free agency of Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet. It was a great read about an underdog point guard who has fought for his spot in the league. Per Murphy, the Jazz “unexpectedly” tried to get in the mix for the 24-year-old guard.

The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic were also said to have interest in VanVleet.

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This is definitely interesting. VanVleet is coming off a spectacular season with Toronto, where he averaged a career-high 8.6 points and a career-high 3.2 assists. He eventually re-signed with the club, securing a two-year, $18 million deal.

If the Jazz had failed to come to terms with Exum, you have to believe that VanVleet could have been a strong option for them. Despite being undersized, VanVleet is a really talented player. He plays very good defense, he shot over 40 percent from 3-point land and is just solid all-around.

Thankfully, the Jazz did re-sign Exum, who I believe is a better player than VanVleet right now. If Exum reaches anywhere near his potential, he’ll be an upper echelon point guard in the league. VanVleet is a great player, but I am more than happy with Exum and Neto backing up Ricky Rubio.

Exum and the Jazz begin preseason on the September 29, and will face VanVleet and the Raptors on October 2. It’s almost time for Jazz basketball!