NBA Free Agents 2011: 10 Targets for the Utah Jazz This Summer
The Utah Jazz have many ways it can improve the team this offseason. One of these is becoming a player in the upcoming free agency market.
The team has only eight players under contract—nine if they pick up the option on C.J. Miles—so the Jazz will have to sign several players to complete the roster.
Depending on the positions and types of new players the Jazz add to their team in this year's NBA Draft, Kevin O'Connor, Greg Miller and Jazz management will have decisions to make regarding who else will play next season.
The following is a list of the top 10 free agent targets for the Utah Jazz.
Adding any of these players would improve the team, excite fans, and give the Jazz a better chance of being a top team in the Western Conference.
Unfortunately, for the Jazz to have an impact in the free agency market they may have to overpay to bring a quality player to this small market team.
10. Tyson Chandler
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Dallas Mavericks, $12.7 million
Following a strong performance in the NBA Finals and winning an NBA Championship, Tyson Chandler will be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this year.
After bouncing around the league a bit, it seems that Chandler has found a home in Dallas, especially in these playoffs.
Chandler would bring a strong presence to the middle and would be the type of center the Jazz haven't had for a long time. He's an experienced player, and this would allow Derrick Favors to learn and gain experience without the pressure of having to perform at a very high level every night.
The chances of the Utah Jazz signing Tyson Chandler are slim, as many other teams will be interested. His performance in the playoffs will likely land him a contract similar to the one he currently has.
Projected Salary: 4 years, $48 million
9. Arron Afflalo
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Denver Nuggets, $1.9 million
Of the players on this list, Arron Afflalo is the only one who is a restricted free agent.
Chances are that Denver will make a good qualifying offer to Afflalo, and that he will be back with the team.
After being drafted by the Pistons and traded to the Nuggets, Afflalo has raised his game in each of his three seasons.
If the Utah Jazz were to persuade him to sign away from the Nuggets, they would get the defensive type of player that would be able to guard the perimeter. He is also becoming a more consistent shooter and his athleticism would help the team.
He would become the player they thought they got in Raja Bell last off-season, but that did not work out well.
Signing Afflalo would be a long shot for the Jazz, but worth a mention for a player that could become a defensive specialist for them.
Projected Salary: 4 years, $17 million
8. Samuel Dalembert
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Sacramento Kings 12.2 million
Samuel Dalembert will be a popular free agent this offseason. While the Jazz do not necessarily need another player to add to the team's already-crowded front court, Dalembert would be a good defensive addition to the team.
With the unknown level of production that Mehmet Okur will bring this season, it may be good to add a center who can play defense and rebound to play alongside Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap.
Signing Dalembert could also allow Derrick Favors to mature and develop a bit more slowly, without having to deal with high expectations too early in his career.
Dalembert is coming off of a season that saw his statistics stay fairly consistent with his previous years.
Projected Salary: 3 years, $33 million
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7. Jason Richardson
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic, $14.4 million
Jason Richardson was behind Gilbert Arenas and Dwight Howard as the third highest-paid player in Orlando last season. This offseason he will take a pay cut and will not make close to the $14.4 million that he did last year.
Over his nine years in the league, Richardson has been known as an athletic scorer who has a variety of offensive tools.
He has played on several teams, and although his scoring average dropped a bit this season, he will be a sought after free agent.
If the Jazz were to sign Richardson, the team would get a shooting threat that could open up the offense for the low post players. He would also bring veteran leadership and athleticism that the Jazz need.
Depending on who the Jazz take in the draft (and for the right price) Jason Richardson could be a good addition to the team.
Projected Salary: 4 years, $28 million
6. Tayshaun Prince
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Detroit Pistons, $11.1 million
The Pistons and Tayshaun Prince have wanted to part ways for several seasons. It seems like there has been multiple trade rumors involving Prince in the last couple of years.
This summer will mark the opportunity that Prince has been looking for, and the Jazz will be looking in his direction.
If the Jazz are not willing—or not able—to resign Andrei Kirilenko, Tayshaun Prince becomes a good option.
He and Kirilenko have been described to be virtually the same player in size and athleticism. But if Prince were to come to the Jazz, he would be an offensive upgrade from Kirilenko.
Prince would also provide veteran leadership to a young team. His NBA Championship with the Pistons will gain him respect among the players.
Perhaps it is a good time for Prince to get a fresh start. Perhaps Utah would be a good place for him to do that.
Projected Salary: 4 years, $32 million
5. Andrei Kirilenko
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Utah Jazz, $17.8 million
The Utah Jazz are very familiar with what Andrei Kirilenko brings to the team. Over the last 10 years, the Jazz have enjoyed his athleticism—and endured his inconsistencies.
This summer he will draw a lot of attention in the free agent market, but it will be difficult to find the right price to pay him. He will definitely take a pay cut, but the question is how much?
Kirilenko will be of value to many teams in the league, but he brings the most to the Utah Jazz. His familiarity with the franchise, his leadership and his athleticism would help this young team moving forward.
If the Jazz can get him to return for a decent price, then it would be a good idea to bring him back. One only hopes the Jazz do not have to overpay to keep him, but that is a possibility.
It may be difficult to see one of the franchise's ten best players leave in free agency, but that may be the case.
Projected Salary: 4 years, $32 million
4. J.R. Smith
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Denver Nuggets, $6 million
It is no secret that J.R. Smith is no longer a good fit in Denver. After falling out of favor with head coach George Karl, look for Smith to leave the Nuggets. Sure, both sides say they want to make it work, but it is not likely.
J.R. Smith is a very athletic player that can be one of the top long-range shooters in the league. His explosiveness off the bench has been a major asset in Denver, and he will draw a lot of interest in the free agent market.
One could compare Smith to former Jazz player Kyle Korver, but with better athleticism, explosiveness and defensive skills.
He is another player who could help spread the floor offensively, helping the other players to be more open. It would be an added benefit if he was again willing to come off the bench for the Jazz.
He is the type of player that brings excitement and energy when he steps onto the court and backs it up with his high level of play.
Projected Salary: 3 years, $24 million
3. Caron Butler
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Dallas Mavericks, $10.5 million
As the fourth highest-paid player on the Mavericks this season, Butler was injured and did not contribute much to the team.
Since the Mavericks won the NBA Championship without him, there is a good chance he will go to another team as a free agent.
Many teams will be interested in Butler, and in hopes that he can regain his pre-injury form.
If the Jazz were able to work out a deal with Caron Butler, they would get a two-time All-Star who has been one of the top scorers in the league. He is very athletic, capable of creating his own shot, and would be a good leader on a young Jazz team.
He would fit well as a starter and allow some of the younger players time to continue to develop.
Due to the uncertainty of his injury last season, Butler is a player that the Jazz must look at seriously, but be careful not to overpay. The team must carefully evaluate his level of risk versus the potential reward he could bring.
Projected Salary: 3 year, $24 million
2. Shane Battier
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies, $7.3 million
This summer, the Grizzlies will no doubt focus on the re-signing of front court players Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
This could be good news for the rest of the league, as teams may be able to take Shane Battier away from the Grizzlies as a free agent.
Battier is a solid defender and a good spot-up three point shooter. He is an all-around good guy and a great teammate. He would be a great influence and example for the young Jazz players.
Like with other players on this list, the Jazz may need to spend a little more than Battier may be worth to get him to agree to play in Utah. If the team did pay more, he is one player who may be worth it, as he is the defensive player the Jazz have lacked for years.
Projected Contract: 4 years, $31 million
1. Jamal Crawford
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Last Season's Team and Salary: Atlanta Hawks, $10 million
There is a good chance that Jamal Crawford will become the most sought-after free agent in the league this season. His scoring ability and all around offensive skills will be a selling point to many teams.
In his last two seasons with the Hawks, he has averaged 18 and 14.2 points per game as the sixth man.
Crawford has the ability to change a game when he is on the court, and, like J.R. Smith, he brings energy and excitement to the floor.
During his career he has been a starter, and if he were picked up by the Utah Jazz, he would most likely be a starter again.
The Utah Jazz signing Crawford is a long shot, and he is one player the team would have to overpay to come to Utah. He is also one of only a few that may be worth it.
Projected Salary: 4 years, $42 million
Salary information found on HoopsHype.com
Statistics found on NBA.com
Chris Johstoneaux is a contributor to Bleacher Report that usually covers the NBA, and Major League Soccer. If you liked this article, please take a moment to leave me a comment and follow me on Twitter at @JazzRSLExaminer.
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