3 veteran free agents the Utah Jazz could consider if necessary

Utah Jazz Free Agency Target: Iman Shumpert

There has been a great deal of speculation that the Jazz should target a defensive minded wing. It’s also been suggested that they might look to fill out a top-heavy guard rotation.

Why not look at a guy who scratches both itches?

Iman Shumpert is not as far removed from NBA action as Chalmers. He actually suited up for the Brooklyn Nets in three games last season. He’s probably still a reliable option to make good on a modest 10-day contract.

Shumpert’s three-point accuracy has been inconsistent throughout his NBA career. The last time he held down a regular rotation role was for the Sacramento Kings in 2018-19. That season, he shot a solid 36.6% from downtown.

The Jazz would love if he could replicate that accuracy in Salt Lake City. Nonetheless, three-point shooting was never Shumpert’s calling card in the NBA. Defense was. He’s the owner of a career 0.7 Defensive Box Plus Minus (DBPM). That’s not an elite figure, but it does reflect a net positive player. Shumpert is capable of guarding 1s, 2s, 3s and even some smaller 4s. It’s worth noting that he’s only posted a negative DBPM once in a season where he played over a handful of games (2014-15).

Just like Chalmers, it feels unlikely that Shumpert would fill a long-term role on the Utah Jazz. However, it does feel a little more possible. If his three-pointer was falling, he could be the sort of 3-and-D contributor that every contender needs to bolster their roster with.

If not? He probably doesn’t last in Utah after that first 10-day contract. The Jazz have little to lose, while Shumpert would be playing with everything to gain.