The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Midseason Report Card for Emmanuel Mudiay

By Caleb Manser

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Emmanuel Mudiay #8 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Emmanuel Mudiay #8 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Utah Jazz
Emmanuel Mudiay, Utah Jazz. Willy Hernangomez, Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

After signing with the Utah Jazz with a goal to develop his game, Emmanuel Mudiay has proven his word halfway through the regular season.

When the Utah Jazz signed Emmanuel Mudiay to a one year minimum contract last summer, my expectations were low.

In 2015 Mudiay was highly touted as a lottery pick, coming straight from a professional league in China rather than the NCAA. He had nice length and potential to be a good point guard in this league for a long time.

After a couple years of being eaten alive with the Denver Nuggets, their general manager Tim Connelly traded Mudiay to the New York Knicks and committed to Jamal Murray as the franchise point guard.

Emmanuel got plenty of minutes and shots with the Knicks, making for a nice looking stat line of 14.8 points per game on 44 percent shooting from the field. But in every other faucet of the game and advanced metric, he was a negative to his team on the court.

The Knicks’ win-loss record certainly reflected the impact Mudiay had on their team, as they only won 17 games last year.

I think part of the reason EM was so willing to sign with the Jazz and Quin Snyder is because he realized he was one bad stint away from being back in China. He complemented Snyder’s coaching ability in his first press conference as a Jazzman, citing that as the reason for signing here.

The short-term deal was a win for both EM and the Jazz. In case Mudiay underwhelmed, the deal would only last one year and the Jazz wouldn’t have to worry about him. If Mudiay somehow surpassed expectations and developed into his potential in one season, he would be able to cash in on an appropriate contract

So far this season, it’s been somewhere in the middle of those two scenarios. Mudiay hasn’t blown anyone’s socks off this season, but he’s been reliable as a backup point guard when called upon, and even supplanted fan favorite Dante Exum as the second point guard in the rotation.

Let’s break down exactly how Mudiay’s been getting it done for the Jazz this season:

Home/Jazz News