Utah Jazz: Would Kemba Walker or Tobias Harris be a better free agent target?

The Utah Jazz may have a hard time landing a big-time free agent this summer, but both Kemba Walker and Tobias Harris will be intriguing targets.

With the Utah Jazz eliminated from postseason contention, their focus and attention now turn to improving during the offseason. They’ll seek to do so first during the draft as well as via trades that can occur all throughout the summer. But perhaps the largest opportunity they’ll have to truly upgrade the team will be during free agency where several tantalizing names will be available.

Sure, it would be nice to dream of the likes of Kawhi Leonard or Klay Thompson being interested in joining the Jazz ranks, but that’s far from realistic. Heck, the two guys I’m aiming to discuss in this article might be just as much of a long shot considering Utah’s long history of struggling to lure in free agents. Nevertheless, that doesn’t change the fact that the Jazz organization is going to give all it can to bring in some impressive talent during free agency.

As such, two of the slightly more realistic options that ought to be right atop Dennis Lindsey’s list of targets absolutely have to be Kemba Walker and Tobias Harris. Both are exceptional talents that fill two very different but crucial needs for the Jazz – a steady, scoring point guard and a playmaking four who can space the floor and create his own shot.

It’s entirely possible that one or both will be completely unavailable and/or unwilling to consider joining the Jazz ranks. And if such is the case, that will be a disappointing development. However, rather than focus on pessimism, we’re instead going to operate under a different assumption.

Let’s say that by some miracle, both Harris and Walker find themselves intrigued by joining the Jazz and wanting to play in Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, adding both isn’t realistically possible from a financial standpoint, so let’s then assume that Utah would have to pick between one or the other.

Who would be more optimal to add to the roster? Tobias Harris? Or Kemba Walker? Which one should be Utah’s top target in a vacuum when looking principally at fit and talent?

Well, first off, neither one would be added for defensive-first purposes as neither has a reputation of being lock-down on that end. Both were near the bottom in defensive rating on their respective teams this past season and each have been criticized for their dependability in that regard. In fairness, much of Kemba’s defensive deficiencies come from his size, not from a lack of heart or effort. In the case of Harris, though, it sometimes seems he struggles to execute on that end.

Fortunately, defense is a skill that can be taught and enhanced as long as a player has a willingness to learn. And if either were to join Utah’s ranks, I have a feeling that Jazz brass would first ensure buy-in on defense then later Quin Snyder and Co. would do everything to ensure enhancements in that regard.

So with adding another primary scorer being the main focus of bringing in either player, let’s dive in a little bit there. Kemba Walker shot quite well from deep in 2016-17 and 2017-18 with marks of 39.9 percent and 38.4 percent, respectively. He was a bit down this season at 35.6 percent, which isn’t ideal for a Jazz team that desperately needs shooting from the perimeter.

However, any efficiency struggles with Kemba should be taken somewhat with a grain of salt considering that he was asked to do so much for the Charlotte Hornets and carry such an incredible load. His usage percentage was easily the highest on the team by a significant measure at 30.6. Not only that but over half of Walker’s shots were contested looks making it even harder to criticize him. He also hoisted over 20 shots per game, almost eight more than any other teammate.

You know who else had a usage percentage over 30, had more than half of his field goals contested and took over 20 shots per game? None other than Utah’s very own Donovan Mitchell. Though Mitchell’s supporting cast is leaps and bounds better than what Kemba has had in Charlotte, there are definitely some similarities in the challenges they’ve faced offensively. Both have had an immense load, and playing with one another to remove that burden could produce incredible results.

Kemba’s never had a backcourt running-mate like Mitchell, and Mitchell has obviously never had one like Kemba in his two years in the league. Those two playing alongside one another would provide Utah with one of the most tantalizing guard duos in the NBA. And with both suddenly commanding more attention than any of their teammates ever have, the openings, space and ability to play-make would be incredible.

For what it’s worth, both Kemba and Donovan shot well over 40 percent from three on wide open looks, and each would get far more of those if they were teammates. That’s an exhilarating prospect.

But Tobias brings a ton to the table as well. It’s long been known that Quin Snyder’s offense operates at its finest when a stretch-four is figured into the equation. That’s why lineups with Jae Crowder at the power forward spot alongside the rest of the starters have been so prolific in terms of net rating. And that’s with Crowder who’s far from a consistent sharp-shooter.

Instead, insert Harris who shot 39.7 percent from deep as a whole this season, and well over 40 percent as a member of the LA Clippers, including a whopping 43.4 percent in his 55 games with the Clips this season. While Harris wouldn’t be quite the dynamic athlete and passer to serve as a tandem with Mitchell as Kemba would be, he’d revolutionize Utah’s offense in an entirely different way.

He’d command the attention of defenders all night long with his incredible 3-point touch, but he can also get his own by creating off the dribble. He’d be an excellent primary scorer alongside Mitchell and would help extend opportunities to all, especially in the paint, by spacing the floor incredibly.

Much has been made about Rudy Gobert needing an elite stretch-four to be paired with so that he can have room to operate in the paint on both ends of the floor and significantly improve his effectiveness. Gobert would have more space to gobble up lobs and rebounds while Harris would command attention at all times and be able to defend out to the perimeter on opposing bigs, even if defense isn’t quite his strong suit.

In terms of finding that ideal stretch-four to put alongside Gobert, it’d be hard to find someone more fitting than the six-foot-nine, 235-pound Harris. He has all the tools and the shooting accuracy to be potentially what Quin Snyder and the Jazz need to fill a glaring hole in their offense.

So with all that being said, which one should the Jazz pursue? Revolutionize the backcourt with Kemba and Donovan? Or bulk up the frontcourt with Rudy and Tobias?

There’s certainly cases to be made for each one, but if both were truly available, my choice would be All-Star guard Kemba Walker. What he lacks in size and potentially defense, he’d make up for in heart, dedication and effort. That’s not a knock on Harris who I think is also a great player and personality, but Cardiac Kemba is just built a little different. With a close game on the line, I’d trust Walker first and foremost, and his grit and determination would be a seamless fit with the Jazz.

It would also be great to see Mitchell alongside a more prolific guard from whom he could learn and advance his game to unprecedented heights. Not only that, but if the Jazz are seeking to bolster the offense, who better to add than a 25.6 point per game scorer, capable of going off for 30, 40 and even 60, as he did this past season, on any given night?

Walker would fit the team’s mold while adding prolific offense, an incredible floor general ability at the point (something Utah has been missing desperately for several years running) and an unyielding fighter’s spirit that would bolster the team’s chemistry and toughness all season long.

If Kemba isn’t available, which will very likely prove to be the case, I’d still be ecstatic to see Harris in the Jazz ranks. He isn’t far behind Kemba in any of these aspects I’ve just described, is a better three-point shooter when looking at percentages and should still be a great teammate in terms of chemistry and attitude. Plus, there’s an argument to be had that his position at the stretch-four is more vital than the point guard spot despite lingering struggles at the position for Utah.

So if the Jazz end up with Harris over Kemba, I wouldn’t complain one bit. He’d still be a massive upgrade and arguably the highest profile free agent the Jazz have ever signed.

Landing either one of these guys will be a real struggle. And the Jazz are probably more likely to trade for a big-time player or add free agents of a slightly lower tier. Nevertheless, that doesn’t change the fact that they should try with all their might for both Tobias Harris and Kemba Walker.

And if they’re able to add either one, it will be a signal of exciting times ahead for the Utah Jazz in 2019-20.