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The Utah Jazz used some cap space to add the NBA's king of cappuccinos.
Veteran big man Boris Diaw heads to Salt Lake City as part of a trade with the San Antonio Spurs, league sources confirmed to The Salt Lake Tribune on Tuesday. The deal, first reported by Yahoo Sports' The Vertical, will send 2015 second-round pick Olivier Hanlan to the Spurs, who needed cap room to sign free agent forward Pau Gasol.
"Spurs' fans, thanks for all your messages. Great years here and a ring! Leaving but San Antonio will always be a special place to me," Diaw wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. Then the veteran forward shouted out to his countryman and new club. "Hey [Utah Jazz] and [Rudy Gobert]! I'm looking forward to seeing you!"
The easygoing Diaw, known almost as much for his love of fine wine and espresso (he famously installed a cappuccino machine in his locker last season) and as his smooth playmaking abilities on the court, should provide another complementary piece to the bench that Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey is assembling.
The Jazz have already added veterans George Hill and Joe Johnson to one of last season's youngest rosters. Diaw adds depth and championship experience to that mix.
The Jazz plan to use Diaw at both power forward and center next season, making him another versatile piece to their second unit. Diaw averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game last season with the Spurs, his 13th in the NBA. He gives the Jazz a big man who can handle the ball, shoot it, pass it and play with physicality.
Utah anticipates Diaw complementing and mentoring second-year forward Trey Lyles. Diaw and Lyles are expected to play together off the bench extensively, and the hope is Diaw's experience and know-how will make Lyles a better player.
"I saw that earlier before the game. That's exciting for me," said Lyles, who scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the team's summer league loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. "That's a guy that I can learn from. He's been through the league for a few years and he plays a similar spot as me, so I'll be able to latch onto him and get some words of advice."
The 34-year-old Diaw is owed $7 million this season and the Jazz will hold a team option for $7.5 million in 2017-18. The deal gives the Jazz flexibility now and in the future, when they will have to give raises to their younger talent.
The Jazz could still clear over $10 million in cap space this summer, money they could consider using on another signing or to negotiate an extension for forward Derrick Favors.
Diaw is a career 34 percent 3-point shooter and has averaged 7.4 points per game over his past five seasons in San Antonio.
Hanlan was the 42nd overall pick in last year's draft and spent last season playing with Zalgiris in Lithuania. The 6-foot-4 combo guard looked more comfortable Monday night in his second summer league go around, scoring 11 points in a 90-69 loss to the Spurs' summer squad.
About Boris Diaw
• Vitals: 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, 34 years old.
• Was named the NBA's most improved player for the 2005-2006 season.
• Was selected 21st by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2003 NBA draft.
• Won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.
• Is a native of France, and is a close friend of Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
• Has averaged 8.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in his career.