The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Where recent fmr Jazzmen have signed/been traded this offseason

By Ryan Aston

MEMPHIS, TN- MARCH 08: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz on the team bus going to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis on March 08, 2019 in Memphis, TN. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN- MARCH 08: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz on the team bus going to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis on March 08, 2019 in Memphis, TN. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 9
Next
Ekpe Udoh Utah Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 20: Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz looks on during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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.

Home/Jazz News