Utah Jazz: Three free agents that are unrealistic, but would be a lot of fun

Kawhi Leonard

Of all the free agents I’ve mentioned here, and really of any free agent including fellow ‘longer than long shot’ Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard is the player I’d most love to see the Jazz add. Sure, he’s an absolute superstar that would make any team infinitely better due to his pure skill alone. But that aside, Leonard’s play style and personality would make him an even more exciting fit for the Jazz.

Yes, he’s capable of going off for upwards of 35 points on any given night. Thus far in the playoffs he’s averaging over 30 points per game and throughout the regular season he was only a slightly lower 26.6 points per game. In other words, Leonard’s scoring alone would make him monumental for the Jazz who simply need another bucket getter to help take the pressure off of Donovan Mitchell.

But beyond that, Leonard’s quiet, lead-by-example approach would fit in seamlessly with a Jazz squad that’s all about walking the walk, not just talking the talk. He’s ingrained a culture of toughness, effort and focus on the game in Toronto and I’d love to see him bring that to the Jazz as well.

Not to mention, while Kawhi has turned into an absolute monster in every aspect of the game, first and foremost defense has been his calling card which would allow him to fit seamlessly in with the Jazz’s culture. As a lockdown perimeter force capable of defending and slowing just about anyone (just ask Giannis Antetokounmpo), there’s no telling what kind of heights Leonard would lift Utah’s already prolific defense to.

Just imagine the defensive pairing of Leonard and Gobert. That would be literally two of the biggest difference makers on that end of the floor to ever play the game teaming up on the same squad. Watching opposing defenses try to score against them would be exhilarating.

Then on offense, Leonard would have the freedom to do much of what he does now, but with a rising star in Donovan Mitchell alongside him and a system under head coach Quin Snyder that creates numerous open shots and allows creators and playmakers to thrive.

Lastly, Leonard’s humble and basketball-focused approach to the game would make him an instant favorite in Utah as Jazz fans have always appreciated a player who goes about his business that way. As stoic and unshakable as John Stockton, but as competitive and driven as Karl Malone, a Kawhi signing in Utah would drive fans absolutely wild.

Unfortunately, unless his latest run to the NBA Finals is enough to convince him to stay in Toronto, I see Leonard bolting for a larger market and the bright lights and opportunity that follow. Some are already projecting that he’ll join the Clippers or perhaps even team up with LeBron James and the Lakers as he’s supposedly expressed a desire to be in LA. Whether that’s true or not, Leonard will undoubtedly have no shortage of suitors or options when it comes to free agency.

And, sadly, while the Jazz certainly ought to do their due diligence to see if Leonard would even entertain them, the odds of that happening are quite low as they’ll almost certainly be far down on his list. Nevertheless, pairing his defensive prowess and uncanny offensive abilities with Utah’s system and Quin Snyder’s brilliance would still be an incredible sight to behold.

But, here we are now at the end of this article meaning it’s time to snap back into reality. The Utah Jazz need to make major upgrades, and they’ll likely do everything they can to do so. But if the likes of Kemba Walker and Tobias Harris are long shots, then these three stars are pretty much out of the question. The Jazz probably have a better chance of striking out entirely in free agency than they do of even earning a meeting with any one of these prolific players I’ve listed.

Nevertheless, it’s fun to dream. And one can’t help but think that eventually if Utah continues to build a winning culture and improve as a potential title contender, someday, just maybe, they’ll finally strike it rich and lure a marquee free agent into their mix.