With a pretty good roster, a budget nearing the cap, and future extensions to Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmet Okur likely on the horizon, many thought the Utah Jazz would likely watch the league scramble to snap up the best of the free agents without doing much more than keeping their own guys happy in the fold.
Not so, apparently.
Reports state that Corey Maggette is on the Utah Jazz radar, though the Jazz, like most other teams, have little more to offer than a 5 year contract beginning at the mid-level exception unless they are willing to do a sign-and-trade. Maggette, as most remember, was signed to an offer sheet by the Jazz a few years ago before it was matched by the Clippers. Things are a little different this time around. The Jazz are better, the Jazz have less money to spend, Maggette has spent a great deal of the previous contract on the bench in street clothes healing from injuries, and Maggette is unrestricted.
My Take: I think the Jazz should pass on Maggette, mainly because of his being injury-prone. Maggette will likely be too expensive (by contract length if not the per year payout) for what he will probably give them year after year. He is definitely a gifted shooter, but players who are frequently injured tend to continue to be frequently injured.
Among players that the Jazz are also rumored to have been speaking with are the following:
Ronny Turiaf, Los Angeles Lakers (restricted): At the right price, he could probably help the Jazz. Early career heart problems could be a concern, but he seemed healthy enough during the regular season and the playoffs. Unless the Jazz decide to make some other moves, though, I don’t think he has much time at the 4 available to him. Plus, with him being restricted, it would be difficult to actually pull him away from the Lakers.
Kwame Brown, Memphis Grizzlies (unrestricted): At the right price, he could be a real asset. He was drafted very young and has been a disappointment to every team he has been on so far. But if he played in the right offense and really wanted to improve, he could be a huge benefit to any team picking him up. The Jazz currently have a huge problem getting big bodies in the paint who can play — a short contract to Kwame Brown at the mid-level exception could be just the ticket. With Koufos and Fesenko still years away from being ready to play, Brown might be just the stop gap for the Jazz (if Jerry Sloan doesn’t kill him first and can get him to play). If the Jazz can get him at the midlevel exception and for only two of three years, I think he would be well worth the risk.
Devean George, Dallas Mavericks (unrestricted) A savvy veteran who certainly wouldn’t hurt you coming in off the bench to give you quality minutes. He can probably be had for a good price if he is willing to come to Utah. (Am I beginning to see a trend in the Jazz looking to current and former Los Angeles players for their rotation?)
James Posey, Boston Celtics (unrestricted) Also a veteran and a great defender to boot. The Celtics will likely snap him up with a decent contract to keep their roster as much intact as possible. Posey was definitely one of the keys to their success.
Jannero Pargo, New Orleans Hornets (unrestricted) I don’t see the point in picking up a point guard unless they feel that he is that much of an improvement over Jason Hart and/or Ronnie Price. I don’t think Pargo is. If they plan on playing him at the two, I don’t think that is much of an improvement either, frankly.
Ryan Gomes, Minnesota Timberwolves (restricted) He is certainly a good, young talent, but his restricted status might as well say untouchable. Minnesota isn’t likely to let anyone go who is any good at all, and they way I see it, that easily includes Ryan Gomes.