Emmanuel Mudiay, the flight risk
If the season were to be cancelled, it would even more likely mean the end of Emmanuel Mudiay’s days with the Jazz.
Because he signed the veterans’ minimum contract last summer, the Jazz can’t offer more than a certain percentage of Mudiay’s current contract to him.
With Mudiay breaking out this season and learning to play smarter basketball, he’s due for a raise, one that the Jazz aren’t allowed to offer under the CBA rules. Mudiay deserves to be paid somewhere in the ball park of 4-8 million dollars per season.
Additionally, he also deserves a role and playing time the Jazz can’t guarantee either. If Mike Conley opts in to the 2020-21 season (which we all expect him to), there goes the lion’s share of point guard minutes.
Factor in Donovan Mitchell’s minutes he plays at the 1 (49 percent of his minutes this season), and also Jordan Clarkson (assuming he returns), and there’s not a regular spot in the rotation for Mudiay.
5 players who may have played their final game with the Utah Jazz:https://t.co/lr09yOsSo9
— Zack Padmore (@ZP12Hoops) March 28, 2020
It would be in his best interests to leave Utah and sign as a primary backup point guard elsewhere in the league. He could really help out the Washington Wizards as John Wall needs a soft landing returning from his Achilles injury.
He could also help out the Detroit Pistons as Derrick Rose is their best point guard and plays best off the bench as a sixth man.
The Atlanta Hawks may be looking for a point guard as well since Jeff Teague is an unrestricted free agent, and Trae Young is wanting more help from the front office in acquiring a talented supporting cast.
I have no doubt Mudiay willl be able to find a new home in the NBA next season, but sadly for the Jazz he may have played his last game donning the blue, green, and gold colors.