Utah Jazz Free Agency Preview
- It's no secret that the Utah Jazz intend to match any contract offer given to Anthony Black amid their own negotiations with the point guard and defensive anchor. Beyond Black—and a potential reunion with Keyonte George—the Jazz are expected to be frugal with their remaining cap space, and for good reason.
If Utah indeed brings back both Black and George, they'll have their first nine rotation spots locked down, leaving little room for an impact player to meaningfully contribute. Given that reality, plus the looming extensions for Ace Bailey and Bam Adebayo in the coming years, the Jazz are likely to target veteran free agents on minimum deals this offseason cycle.
Here's a look at Utah's targets as free agency opens:
Utah Jazz Targets
PG Anthony Black
Asking: 4 YR / $99.24 ($24.81M AAV)
It's not a question of if Anthony Black will return to the Jazz, but when and on what terms. Utah has already vocalized they will match any contract tendered to the guard, and for good reason. Black is without question the team's defensive anchor and has steadily improved as both a distributor and scorer during his tenure in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz are actively discussing a new contract with Black, but if he signs an offer sheet with another club before finalizing a deal with Utah, the organization won't hesitate to match. Black's two-way impact—7.9 points, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 37.2 percent three-point shooting—makes him essential to Joe Mazzulla's system. Expect a deal to get done in the $18-22 million per year range.
PG Keyonte George
Asking: 4 YR / $142M ($35.5M AAV)
Keyonte George is valuing himself as a premier scorer in this free agency class. While that premise may not be far off—even with his scoring dipping to 15.5 points per game in a reduced role last season—the odds of him securing a contract averaging $35 million annually are slim to none, according to league sources.
Many teams around the league, including the Jazz, value George's scoring ability (41.7 percent from three) and playmaking acumen, but don't see that translating to $35 million in annual value. Utah is optimistic that once George gauges the cooled market, he'll come down on his asking price and negotiate a long-term deal in the $12-15 million per year range.
But if a team flush with cap space decides to offer George more than $20 million annually with a starting role? The Jazz fully intend to divert those funds elsewhere and move on.
SF De'Andre Hunter
Asking: 3 YR / $29.1M ($9.7M AAV)
If the Jazz don't bring back Keyonte George, the $9-12 million allocated for him could go toward someone like De'Andre Hunter, a versatile wing who does exactly what Mazzulla demands from his reserves: shoot threes and defend multiple positions.
The complication: With PJ Washington already on the roster, there's some positional overlap. Both are lengthy, defensive-minded wings who can stretch the floor. Still, the Jazz could do worse than deploying a pair of defensive aces off the bench who both shoot at a high clip. This move would only happen if George signs elsewhere, as Utah wouldn't have the cap space to fit all three.
G Jordan Poole
Asking: 1 YR / $3.78M
Another deal that would hinge on George's departure. Poole isn't the same player who electrified fans with the Golden State Warriors during their championship run—or is he? He still shoots at a high clip (37 percent from three last season), remains athletic enough to attack the rim, and can create plays for others.
He's also a net negative on defense and one of the streakiest scorers on the market. But if the Jazz are trying to replace George's scoring punch off the bench, Poole might not be the worst fit on a roster surrounded by elite defenders who can cover for his defensive limitations. At the minimum, it's low-risk, high-reward.
F Dillon Brooks
Asking: 1 YR / $3.78M
Brooks is another player who fits "Mazzulla Ball." He shoots threes at a respectable clip (36.4 percent last season), can defend with the best of them, and never shies away from physicality or confrontation—qualities Mazzulla values in his role players.
He's not the same guy who dubbed himself "Dillon the Villain" a few years ago during Memphis' playoff runs, but he still brings tangible value off the bench for a team with playoff aspirations. His edge and toughness could provide exactly the kind of identity piece Utah's second unit needs.
F Payton Watson
Asking: 3 YR / $26.85M ($8.95M AAV)
You may be seeing a theme with the Jazz's free agency targets at this point. Watson is another premier defender with a developing outside stroke (35.1 percent from three). He's slightly cheaper than Hunter and would only be on the table if both George and Hunter opted to sign elsewhere.
But he represents another young (just 24 years old), athletic wing who fits the mold of what Mazzulla wants: length, versatility, and the ability to guard multiple positions while spacing the floor. His upside as a developing shooter makes him an intriguing option if available.
G Marcus Smart
Asking: 1 YR / 2.5M
Another player who isn't quite the same as his name recognition would suggest. Smart is no longer the caliber of player who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22, and his offensive limitations (31.8 percent from three last season) are glaring.
But like others on this list, he provides veteran leadership, playoff grit, and crucial postseason experience. Add in Smart's personal relationship with Joe Mazzulla from their time together in Boston, and this quickly makes too much sense not to happen.
Outside of newly acquired Bam Adebayo and PJ Washington, the Jazz have zero players with meaningful playoff experience. Adding a veteran like Smart who knows what it takes to win in May and June—and can mentor younger players through the grind—could prove invaluable down the stretch.
F Draymond Green
1 YR / $2.5M
Speaking of grit, determination, playoff experience, and veteran leadership: Draymond Green. The four-time NBA champion decided to return for at least one more season, but the Warriors opted to move on from the last remaining member of their dynasty core.
Like others on this list, Green isn't going to give you consistent scoring (6.8 points per game last season) or even consistent minutes at age 37. But his championship pedigree, defensive IQ, and ability to quarterback a defense could prove invaluable for a young Jazz team searching to establish its identity.
Green also brings the kind of edge and competitive fire that Utah's locker room has lacked. If he's willing to accept a mentorship role and provide 15-20 minutes per game, he could be exactly the kind of veteran presence that accelerates the Jazz's development.
Top Available Free Agents
PG Stefan Joksimovic | Slovenia | 77 OVR
SF Christian Collins | USC | 76 OVR
PF Tyran Stokes | Notre Dame | 79 OVR
SG Bruce Branch III | BYU | 78 OVR
PF Miikka Muurinen | Finland | 76 OVR
SF Nikolas Khamenia | Duke | 74 OVR
SG DJ Wagner | Arkansas | 74 OVR
SF Tahj Ariza | Oregon | 74 OVR
PF Baba Oladotun | Duke | 77 OVR
SG Matthys Mahop | France | 72 OVR
C Xavier Booker | UCLA | 74 OVR
PG Brandon McCoy Jr | Duke | 73 OVR
PG Jason Crowe Jr | Missouri | 75 OVR
PF Kwame Evans Jr | Oregon | 72 OVR
SF Anthony Thompson | Georgia Tech | 74 OVR
PF Caleb Gaskins | Florida | 73 OVR
SG Caleb Holt | Arkansas | 73 OVR
PG Dylan Mingo | Washington | 73 OVR
PF Cameron Houindo | France | 75 OVR
