5 Players the Utah Jazz gave up on a bit too soon

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CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 09: Al Jefferson #25 of the Utah Jazz reacts after his team scores a basket against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 9, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2. Al Jefferson

A once teammate of Millsap, Jefferson’s time was also cut a bit too short with the team. While Jefferson never became an All-Star apart from the Jazz, he did oddly enough become a 1x All-NBA player.

Jefferson wasn’t drafted to the Jazz like Millsap was. Instead, the Jazz traded for Jefferson in the 2010 offseason. The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Jefferson to Utah in return for Kosta Koufos and two first-round picks (who turned into Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones).

In his three years with the team, Jefferson put up 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. While solid individual numbers for Al, the team was never able to get its footing with that core; as he never surpassed 43 wins in his time with Utah.

In the 2013 offseason, Jefferson, like Millsap, also walked in free agency. He signed a 3-year deal with the Bobcats worth about $40 million; a contract worth less than what he was signed for in Utah. The next season, Jefferson put up All-NBA numbers for Charlotte.

It’s safe to say that this frontcourt core of the early 2010s never worked out too well for Utah. Luckily, the Jazz ended up drafting eventual DPOY Rudy Gobert in the offseason the lost Jefferson, so maybe it worked out for the best in the end?