Utah Jazz sign potential impact veteran to 10-day contract
The Utah Jazz have found themselves struggling to stay healthy again lately. One of the veterans they’ve particularly missed is Hassan Whiteside. They may have just come up with a temporary replacement.
The team just signed Greg Monroe to a 10-day contract.
New Utah Jazz signee is king of the 10-day
Monroe is no stranger to the 10-day contract. This is his fourth such pact in the 2021-22 season. He’s suited up for the Timberwolves, Wizards and Bucks already this season.
His most productive stretch came with the Wolves, where he averaged 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists over three games.
Utah Jazz find imperfect, but solid replacement for Whiteside
Whiteside and Monroe may both be centers, but their games have more differences than similarities.
Monroe won’t be able to replicate Whiteside’s rim protection. He doesn’t have the same length or verticality. His career Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) of -0.1 compared to Whiteside’s 1.1 reflects as much.
On the other hand, Whiteside doesn’t have the playmaking chops that Monroe does. The latter’s career assist percentage of 13.4% towers over Whiteside’s 4.2%. He should add some wrinkles to a Utah Jazz second unit that’s desperate for offense.
Due to his athletic limitations, Monroe won’t be as effective a rim runner as Whiteside. For that reason, he won’t be as clean a fit in Quin Snyder’s system. Still, he’s an effective screensetter, high IQ player, and a bailout option on the low block.
It’s going to look different, but it has the potential to look good.
Utah Jazz signee may not be permanent fixture
In all likelihood, this contract is a stopgap measure. Monroe is likely a temporary replacement for Whiteside. It would be a surprise to see him in a Utah Jazz uniform when Whiteside returns.
This is still a mutually beneficial arrangement. Monroe gets another opportunity to audition for NBA teams, while the Jazz get a quality backup center.
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Hopefully, it’ll result in some more consistent Utah Jazz wins.