The J-Notes
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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) /
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Utah Jazz
Isaac Bonga, Washington Wizards. Emmanuel Mudiay, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Overall

Although he hasn’t redeemed any hope that he can live up to his loft draft day expectations, I’m very pleased with Mudiay so far. He showed through the first half of this season that he can play backup minutes on a good team that went 28-13.

His attitude of improvement and winning has been great for the Jazz locker room and camaraderie. It was Mudiay that came up with the “two time” nickname for Rudy Gobert, and it’s been contagious around Jazz Nation.

Furthermore, Coach Q has a trust for EM and gives him a long enough leash to stay on the court and make a positive impact, unlike former Jazzman Dante Exum. Here’s what Snyder told the Salt Lake Tribune:

"When asked pregame what he’s liked about Mudiay this season, [Quin Snyder] cited a laundry list of qualities: scoring, not getting screened on defense, working on corner 3-pointers and finishing at the rim, and several others. All of those aspects, Snyder said, have fallen under Mudiay improving as a player. “He’s really given himself up to the team and his teammates,” Snyder said pregame. “He’s just been immersed in the process of getting better.”"

The big question is if Mudiay and the Jazz will reunite in the 2020-21 season. In the seven games since Conley returned from his hamstring injury, Mudiay’s minutes have gone down from 17.4 per game to 8.3.

Mike Conley isn't working out for the Jazz .... dark. Next

If Conley opts in to his last year of his contract (34.5 million dollars), Utah might have to once again go shopping around for a veterans minimum contract as their backup point guard; Mudiay has proven he deserves more than 1.7 million dollars per year, and I can see him making upwards of five or six million in the near future.

Final Grade: B

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