The J-Notes
Fansided

Six snipers the Utah Jazz could pursue in 2019 free agency

By Jared Woodcox

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 19: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 19: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 14: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles downcourt during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 14: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles downcourt during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Bojan Bogdanovic

This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned Bojan Bogdanovic as an exciting, though underrated, prospect for the Utah Jazz as I believe he would be an incredible fit. As a 3-point shooter, his red-hot touch is absolutely undeniable. In 81 games played this past season, he converted on an incredible 42.5 percent of his triples on nearly five attempts per game.

He’s as deadly as they come on the perimeter and is known for punishing opposing defenses for giving up even the slightest amount of air space, let alone wide open looks. His presence would certainly space Utah’s offense to a whole new degree and provide them with a formidable sniper option when a big bucket was needed.

But Bogdanovic is far from a one-trick pony. He isn’t a guy that just spots up and can only make catch-and-shoot threes. Instead, he’s a guy who can create a shot, convert off the dribble and also get baskets in a variety of ways. He’s an incredible cutter and play-makes far better than he’s given credit for. He shoots nearly 50 percent from the field which is an awesome mark for a wing player taking the kind of shots he’s relied on to make.

When Victor Oladipo went down with injury, Bogdanovic stepped up in a big way as the team’s leading scorer who ended up putting up 18 points per contest over the course of the 2018-19 season. That’s more than any Jazz player not named Donovan Mitchell.

Also, despite common perception, Bogey is a formidable defender in his own right who’s capable of slowing solid scorers. He’d fit like a glove in Utah’s defensive scheme and especially with Rudy Gobert set to back him up at the rim, he’d be one of the Jazz’s better wing defenders.

There’s a ton to like about Bogdanovic and he is unrestricted, so hypothetically speaking if Utah’s pitch is good enough, they could nab him. However, his incumbent Indiana Pacers team appears to have him marked as their highest of priorities among their existing unrestricted free agents, and considering how well he’s fit there and the mutual interest that exists, my money is on him re-signing in Indy.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t change the fact that the Jazz should pursue him. His 3-point shooting alone would make him an incredible net-scorching addition. And his other abilities would be extra gravy that could play a key role in transporting Utah to another level.

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