After retaining Mike Conley Jr., the Utah Jazz wasted little time in continuing to restock the cupboard, as both Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania have reported a two-year, $12 million pact between the Jazz and versatile forward Rudy Gay.
Gay, a 15-year NBA veteran, fills a vital need for the Jazz as a backup 4 and potential small ball 5. Last season, Gay contributed an impressive 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes for the San Antonio Spurs.
In last season’s Western Conference semi-finals, the Jazz’s lack of positional versatility was exposed by the Los Angeles Clippers, as they played forward Nicolas Batum for extended stretches at the 5 position. The gamble paid off, as the Clippers shot a blistering 43.3% from deep throughout the series with neither Rudy Gobert nor Derrick Favors able to consistently close out three-point attempts.
With Favors having been recently jettisoned to the Thunder in what was effectively a salary dump, Head Coach Quin Snyder may look to deploy some small ball lineups with Gay at the 5 in a similar fashion as the Clippers this season. At 6’8 and 250 pounds, the man otherwise known as “Big Truck” certainly fits the bill, and his career 35% mark from three-point range will stretch defenses in five-out lineups.
Meanwhile, soon-to-be sophomore Udoka Azubuike may see increased responsibility in situations where Gobert needs rest, and the Jazz need a conventional 5.
Gay also figures to see minutes in the rotation at the 4 spot, potentially functioning as a reserve dual big.
A smart, low usage, high efficiency veteran with significant experience, Gay figures to be a leading voice in the locker room and a boon to Utah’s on-court product.