Ekpe Udoh
This may have been one of the more predictable moves of the offseason in Jazzland, but it still smarts.
After two years in the 801, big man Ekpe Udoh will take his game overseas once again. The former lottery pick came to terms last week on a one-year deal with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. Word is that he’ll be the highest-paid import player in the league.
Udoh was largely used as an emergency back-up/injury fill-in and situational defensive stopper with the Jazz. As a result, he averaged under 10 minutes played per game. When he was in there, though, he was a world-class defender. His block rate of 7.7 percent would have been No. 2 in the Association if he had qualified for leader boards.
He should dominate in China, just as he did when he was in EuroLeague — the 32-year-old was a two-time Turkish champ and EuroLeague Final Four MVP and champ with Fenerbahce before signing with the Jazz in 2017.
His book club, defensive efforts and veteran presence will all be missed in Utah.