3 Utah Jazz free agent targets with ties to Lauri Markkanen
By Jack Simone
Max Strus
Using the word “ties” loosely here, Max Strus only appeared in two games with the Chicago Bulls during the 2019-20 season, but that does, in fact, mean he was teammates with Lauri Markkanen.
That version of Strus only put up five total points across the two games, but the current version of Strus could give the Utah Jazz a major boost on the wing.
Right now, Strus is in the midst of a playoff run with the Miami Heat, but whether or not he’ll be back in South Beach remains to be seen. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Both he and Gabe Vincent will be in search of new contracts, and unless the Heat decide to break the bank, it’s plausible that one of the two ends up moving on to a new squad.
For Utah, adding a player like Strus would give them some serious help behind the three-point arc. Strus could also work to expand his game with the Jazz, as he would likely have a bit more freedom to work.
Utah ranked fifth in three-point attempts last season but just 20th in percentage. If Strus can get back to shooting near 40% at high volume, that would be a major win for the Jazz.