TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 26: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against the Utah Jazz at Air Canada Centre on January 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
In the first of a five-part series, we’ll take a look at five free agent point guards that the Utah Jazz could consider this offseason.
The Utah Jazz concluded an exciting 2017-18 season, but it’s clear that the entire team is ready to get back on the hardwood and take yet another step forward next year. One way in which the team may aim to make significant advances between then and now is in free agency.
Although the NBA Draft is the next exciting thing ahead for basketball fans, the free agency period begins shortly thereafter meaning it isn’t all that far off on the horizon. As such, over the next couple weeks, I’ll be putting together five pieces detailing five players the Jazz could pursue in free agency at each position.
Today’s edition will start out with the floor generals – the point guard position. Although Ricky Rubio seems pretty solidified as the starting point guard for next season, the Jazz could always use further depth as well as some insurance in case Dante Exum‘s woes continue or Utah is unable to retain Raul Neto in free agency.
As such, here are five realistic free agent options the Jazz could target at the point guard position.
Utah Jazz</a> concluded an exciting 2017-18 season, but it’s clear that the entire team is ready to get back on the hardwood and take yet another step forward next year. One way in which the team may aim to make significant advances between then and now is in free agency.</p>
<p>Although the NBA Draft is the next exciting thing ahead for basketball fans, the free agency period begins shortly thereafter meaning it isn’t all that far off on the horizon. As such, over the next couple weeks, I’ll be putting together five pieces detailing five players the Jazz could pursue in free agency at each position.</p>
<p>Today’s edition will start out with the floor generals – the point guard position. Although <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rubiori01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ricky Rubio</a> seems pretty solidified as the starting point guard for next season, the Jazz could always use further depth as well as some insurance in case <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/exumda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dante Exum</a>‘s woes continue or Utah is unable to retain <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/netora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Raul Neto</a> in free agency.</p>
<p>As such, here are five realistic free agent options the Jazz could target at the point guard position.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Yogi Ferrell </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 27: Yogi Ferrell #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 27, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Yogi Ferrell</h3>
<p><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/ferreyo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Yogi Ferrell</a> isn’t going to be the ultimate difference maker for the Utah Jazz, but with Ricky Rubio slated as the starter and Dante Exum the presumed backup point guard, let’s keep things in perspective. If Utah were to make a splash this summer, it likely wouldn’t be at the point. Instead they need affordable depth which is exactly what Yogi would provide.</p>
<p>Say what you will about Ferrell – he’s undersized and went undrafted to name a few knocks he’s undoubtedly heard before. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a scrapper and has been highly effective for the Dallas Mavericks when his name was called. He appeared in all 82 games this past season and put up 10.2 points per game while also shooting a respectable 37.3 percent from deep.</p>
<p>In his first season with Dallas, he shot over 40 percent from behind the arc, so his prowess as a deep-ball threat is certainly there. His size will likely never allow him to come anywhere close to resembling a force defensively, but there’s no questioning Yogi’s heart, hustle or effort. In that regard, he’d be a perfect culture fit with the Jazz. And as a quick backup point guard who would serve as a scoring and three-ball threat, he could be a nice under-the-radar addition.</p>
<p>He is a restricted free agent and the Mavs may see no need to part with him, but then again, Dallas tends to be aggressive in free agency and if they can land a star and need to create space, Yogi could very well be seen as expendable. Likewise, as a restricted free agent he probably won’t be high on Utah’s list of targets initially, but if they detect that Dallas is going to let him walk, they could very well swoop in.</p>
<p>Ferrell would by no means take the Jazz to a new level, but in terms of serving as a potential Neto replacement, I love the idea of adding his moxie and determination to the Jazz ranks.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Marcus Smart </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics looks on during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Marcus Smart</h3>
<p>To me, the biggest downside about <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smartma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marcus Smart</a> this summer will likely be his price tag. Although in a market that is squeezed for cash there’s a good chance he won’t get as much as he’s hoping, he’s still almost certainly in for a raise. Said raise could very well price him out of the Boston Celtics’ range and make him available for a team like Utah to come in.</p>
<p>Smart’s deficiencies are well known. He’s not anywhere close to an elite shooter, in fact quite the opposite. He went just 36.7 percent from the field and 30.1 percent from deep this past season. However, the positives that Smart brings to the table could very well outweigh his weaknesses, especially in terms of his potential fit with the Jazz.</p>
<p>He is an absolute bulldog on defense that would only further Utah’s prowess on that end of the floor. Just imagine him hitting the court alongside the likes of <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sefolth01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Thabo Sefolosha</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/crowdja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jae Crowder</a> in the second unit. That would be a scary group! Smart’s ability to switch defensively onto several different positions would make him extremely valuable to what the Jazz hope to accomplish in upcoming seasons.</p>
<p>Not only that, but Smart simply finds ways to make his team better by injecting energy and playing with about as much hustle and heart as a player can muster. He always does the little things – fighting for boards, going for loose balls and relentless hustle plays that make a team better. It’s no coincidence that despite his shooting woes, Smart was in the top five on his team in both the regular season and playoffs in plus/minus.</p>
<p>Smart’s skill set certainly would fit Utah’s culture and on-court style. The energy, especially defensively, that he brings would be invaluable. He could be too pricey or perhaps not the ideal target for a team that desperately needs more shooting, but there’s no denying that his pairing with the rest of Utah’s hard-nosed defensive squad is intriguing.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Jose Calderon </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 25: Jose Calderon #81 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a second half three point basket while playing the Indiana Pacers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 98-95 to take a 3-2 series lead. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Jose Calderon</h3>
<p>Much like was the case with Yogi Ferrell, this wouldn’t be a sexy or big-time pickup. However, the addition of <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/caldejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jose Calderon</a> would bring in a savvy veteran who knows the game well, could be an excellent locker room presence and can shoot the ball well. Although it was in limited playing time, Calderon shot 46.4 percent from behind the arc this past season in Cleveland. He’s shot above 41 percent for his career, which is a very encouraging mark.</p>
<p>With that being the case, Calderon could very well be a serviceable backup for the Jazz if they were to need to replace Raul Neto. The Spanish Calderon would very likely fit in with Utah’s international roster and would likely be close with fellow Spaniard Ricky Rubio. His long career would help him be an impeccable mentor to the likes of Dante Exum among others, meaning even if he never saw the court, there would be value in his addition.</p>
<p>Calderon is certainly nearing the twilight of his career, but he’s shown on several occasions that he still has enough left in his tank to contribute. When <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hillge01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">George Hill</a> went down to injury in Cleveland’s first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, Calderon gave the Cavs some fantastic minutes and at times appeared more energetic and effective than even Hill had been.</p>
<p>He could also be had for relatively cheap, which, considering that the Jazz will want to be cautious to avoid handcuffing themselves with any detrimental contracts, is another valuable aspect about him. Calderon wouldn’t be a stunning performer, but as a backup point guard and locker room mentor, he could turn out to be a subtly nice fit.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Shane Larkin </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Shane Larkin #8 of the Boston Celtics goes to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Three of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Shane Larkin</h3>
<p><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/larkish01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Shane Larkin</a> would be of a similar ilk as Yogi Ferrell. He’s not without his deficiencies, but he could still be a serviceable backup. Larkin may be even more of a risky “project-type” free agent prospect, but there are still some things to like about him.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Principal among those are his energy and effort. When his name was called upon, he gave the Celtics great minutes and if he could continue to blossom under the Jazz, he could very well take over a vacant hole potentially left by Neto. He shot a decent 36 percent from deep this past season, but has shown signs of being able to elevate that number.</p>
<p>Again, much like was the case with Ferrell, one concern about Larkin is that he is extremely undersized at just five-foot-eleven and 175 pounds. However, what he lacks in size he makes up for in heart, making him a potentially nice culture fit among the Jazz reserves. He’s a scrappy player on both ends of the floor that can be useful as long as he stays ready.</p>
<p>Larkin could also likely be had for cheap providing Utah with some depth without hindering their flexibility.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fred VanVleet </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-69222" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F955213874-1-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Fred VanVleet</h3>
<p><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vanvlfr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Fred VanVleet</a> is by far my favorite on the list. However, due to his solid production in Toronto, he could be in for a pay raise if he can find the right team that would be willing to dole out some cash. Considering the major role he played for the Raptors, he might also be hesitant about potentially being buried on a depth chart behind both Rubio and Exum if he came to Utah.</p>
<p>However, VanVleet proved himself as a legitimate rotation player at the point guard spot this past season, so he could be either an exceptional backup or a much-needed insurance policy if things happened to not pan out well with Dante Exum in Utah. VanVleet shot a solid 41.4 percent from deep this past season, meaning he would add some much-needed shooting to the Jazz.</p>
<p>He’s a high-IQ basketball player that nearly always seemed to take full advantage of any opportunities given to him. If given said opportunities in Utah, I love what his skill set, hustle and intelligence could bring to this Jazz team. VanVleet went from an undrafted player to a Sixth Man of the Year candidate which just goes to show the kind of grit and determination he has.</p>
<p>VanVleet’s price tag could be more than Utah wants to spend on a backup or he may be worried about his role on a guard-heavy roster, but if those two issues could be resolved, I believe he would be an absolutely perfect fit with the Jazz.</p>
<style>.theiaPostSlider_nav._lower {display: none !important}</style><div class="nextpost sm relatedstory amp-stories"><a class="location" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/06/09/utah-jazz-five-free-agent-options-point-guard/"https://thejnotes.com/2018/05/15/utah-jazz-one-potential-free-agent-target-at-each-position/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-story-shortcode">Related Story: <span class="amp-teaser">Utah Jazz: One potential free agent target at each position</span></a></div>
<p>So there you have it regarding a handful of options for the Jazz to consider in free agency at the point guard spot. If you felt the list was a little underwhelming, bear in mind that this isn’t a position where Utah is likely to break the bank this summer. Instead, any point guard additions will be savvy both in terms of their cost and what they bring on the court.</p>
<p>Be sure to stay tuned for the remainder of this series as a list of five potential shooting guard targets will be dropping next!</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">