The Utah Jazz have added a new face to the roster. Even if it's not an NBA star, it is an NBA champion. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported via his X account that the Jazz have signed Svi Mykhailiuk
Free agent F Svi Mykhailiuk has agreed on a four-year, $15 million deal with the Utah Jazz, agent Michael Lelchitski of @SIGSports tells ESPN. He played 41 games for the NBA champion Boston Celtics last season. pic.twitter.com/kfUMaN9nM8
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 9, 2024
Mykhailiuk is coming off winning an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024. His role with the Celtics was pretty limited, as he typically only played when Boston was undermanned. However, he proved himself capable of playing solid when the Celtics called upon him.
This included a 26-point performance against the Washington Wizards when they regular season was all but wrapped up.
Even if the Celtics didn't consistently depend on him, Mykhailiuk did fantastic in the small role they gave him. He provided dependable three-point shooting for them, shooting nearly 39% from deep. He clearly proved enough for them he just got the biggest contract he's ever had as an NBA player.
The Jazz are also Mykhailiuk's eighth NBA team, as he's gone from the Lakers to the Pistons to the Thunder to the Raptors to the Knicks to the Hornets to the Celtics. Mykailiuk will enter his seventh NBA season having played for eight NBA teams.
Previewing Mykhailiuk's role in Utah
Knowing where the Jazz are at the moment, it wouldn't surprise anyone if Mykhailiuk is in their rotation. Their roster is full of young players, so having a veteran - especially one who is coming off a title run - could help them form winning habits.
One of the moves I proposed the Jazz make is give a flyer out to one of the top free agents remaining who will get playing time. Svi probably doesn't fit the criteria as one of the best, but he is someone who played well enough to stay in the NBA. Another big difference is they just gave Svi a long-term deal, so this may not be a brief union.
Svi played well enough that he deserves a good look in Utah. He could very well turn into a good asset for them whether it helps them turn into a winner or if he nets them more assets down the line.
This definitely plays as one of those. "Well, what could it hurt?" type additions. As far as using what's left of their cap room, the Jazz could have done much worse. Svi won't make any All-Star teams, but he's proven enough that it's worth seeing just good he truly is on a rebuilding team like Utah.