Backup Center
This has been a known problem virtually since Ed Davis went down with a fractured fibula back in November. The Jazz roster lacks a backup center that gives good insurance when Gobert sits.
Here at The J-Notes we have gone through several scenarios where the Jazz could try something different and see if it works better than what’s going on right now, including trades and the buyout market.
Despite all of the speculation from fans, none of these ideas have come to fruition. I’m positive the Jazz front office is aware of this, but they just don’t have very many options to acquire a good backup big without compromising the present or future roster.
Tony Bradley is making some impressive strides, but the Utah Jazz likely still need an upgrade at backup center in order to be at their absolute best.https://t.co/mKHLettiYu
— Jared Woodcox (@jaredwoodcox) January 20, 2020
Trevor Booker and Joakim Noah remain as free agents, as does Kenneth Faried, but there’s probably a good reason for that.
If no NBA team has picked them up by now, not even a contending team like the Lakers or Clippers, then that probably means it is the end of the road for these guys in the NBA. Just look at what happened to Joe Johnson in the past year.
The best case scenario for the Utah Jazz as far as the backup center position goes is increased development from Tony Bradley. He’s made major strides this season alone, and he looks much different from the deer in the headlights player we saw in November.
But to be honest, he’s not good enough to be a backup center on what should be a contending NBA team. Not right now at least.
Does he have the potential to change that in the next couple of years? Absolutely. Can we count on him to develop in the next couple of months in time for the NBA playoffs? Probably not, but it is fun to hope and dream.