Utah Jazz: 5 Free-Agent Targets for the Jazz This Offseason

Despite being featuring the picturesque Wasatch Mountains, great skiing and a wide variety of interesting jello recipes, the great state of Utah is not exactly known for being at the top of the most desired free-agent destination list. 

As is the case nearly every year, Utah will fight an uphill battle trying to recruit big-name free agents once the 2012 season ends.  However, Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor is one of the brightest and most resilient GMs in the league and has shown the ability to woo big-name free agents with the signings of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur. 

A surprise entry into the playoffs and an even more shocking playoff run could make living and balling in the 801 even more palatable.  Here are the five players that should be at the top of Utah’s wish list once the curtain falls on the 2012 season. 

Steve Nash

After years of unflappable loyalty and an almost impossibly high level of professionalism, Nash will undoubtedly be looking for the best chance to snag a championship ring or two in the twilight of his career. 

Will his best shot be with Utah?  At this point that seems like a long shot, but that doesn’t change the fact that Utah should pull out all the stops to land the pride of Canada. 

Despite being 36 years old, Nash is still in phenomenal shape thanks in part to a sugarless diet and the world-class training staff of the Suns.  His world-class shooting and passing would fill two big needs of the Jazz, and would remind wistful Jazz fans of a certain hot-shooting, sweet-passing point guard who wore No. 12 once upon a time. 

Ray Allen

To the dismay of the female members of Jazz Nation, Kyle Korver’s departure for Chicago left Utah with an absence of a bona fide three-point threat in addition to a lack of a token hottie. 

While Allen is no Ashton Kutcher lookalike, the all-time three-point leader would be an instant panacea for Utah’s three-point woes.  Like Nash, Allen will likely be looking to join the team that looks closest to hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy, so the likelihood of joining Utah may be fairly low. 

Still, the Jazz’ front office would be foolish not to have a go at bringing Jesus Shuttlesworth to town. 

O.J. Mayo

Mayo has had a pretty good run in Memphis from a statistical standpoint, but the relationship between Mayo and the Grizzlies has had its tumultuous moments

The Grizzlies won’t be throwing a boatload of cash Mayo’s way judging by the fact that potential Mayo trades were whispered about in rumors more often than Delonte West and LeBron James’ mom. 

Enter Utah.  Utah is used to dealing with a sometimes-surly attitude (thanks Deron Williams) in addition to a less-than-stellar shot selection (much-obliged, C.J. Miles).  Mayo’s scoring ability would be an immense asset in Utah’s starting lineup and especially as a spark off the bench. 

Goran Dragic

Thanks to the annoyingly great work of Rockets GM Daryl “Dork Elvis” Morey, Houston finds itself with a point guard surplus.  Kyle Lowry was playing sensational on both ends of the floor before getting derailed due to injury. 

Dragic has had a blazing-hot April, averaging 21.2 points per game and dishing out 7.6 assists.  A nagging turnover habit has been contained thus far and Dragic is playing every bit impressively on the offensive end as Lowry was. 

If Utah decides that Devin Harris is not their point guard of the future and cannot nab a top-tier point guard in the 2012 draft, they should take a long and hard look at Dragic. 

Deron Williams

Before you roll your eyes and click to the next article, just hear me out for a second. 

Just as the case was with Nash and Allen, Williams will want to go somewhere where he can win immediately.  Unlike Nash and Allen, he’s going to command a max contract in all likelihood.  These contract demands could scare some potential contending teams away from Williams.

Now let’s just say Utah gets hot and wins seven of their final eight games, squeaks into the playoffs and knocks off either Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the first round; a longshot for sure, but not impossible. 

Utah then has serious buzz going into the offseason about next season’s expectations.  They have a solid core of four young players in Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter and also have enough solid veteran leadership to make up for the relative inexperience of the team.

Is it THAT crazy to think that D-Will would consider a return to Utah?  Probably, but it’s an interesting possibility.