This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With the NBA's free agency period set to start Thursday night at 10 p.m. MT, the Utah Jazz are about to enter uncharted territory as an organization.
Never have the Jazz entered the market with so much money to spend. Rarely have they been so open about their intention of aggressively trying to spend that money. And never have they had so much competition around the league in what should amount to a pretty wild July for the NBA.
Because of the exploding cap — expected to come in at around $94 million — money in salary is about to be handed out like candy in a kindergarten class. And while that means the Jazz, who have roughly $30 million to spend in salary cap space, can go out and chase the best of the best, it means the rest of the league can as well, by and large.
General manager Dennis Lindsey told the media last week the Jazz plan to be "very aggressive" once July 1 hits. And league sources tell The Tribune the Jazz have a wish list that includes adding another wing player and a big man who can shoot.
Sources say the Jazz have expressed interest in Solomon Hill, a small forward from the Indiana Pacers. New Orleans big man Ryan Anderson is someone the Jazz have interest in, as well as Miami Heat small forward Luol Deng.
According to a source, Anderson potentially coming to the Jazz is unlikely. But Hill and Deng are realistic targets, should the Jazz choose that route. Lindsey and the front office are aware of the enormity of next season. Star small forward Gordon Hayward can opt out of his contract at the end of next season — he will almost certainly do so — and become an unrestricted free agent.
That's put the Jazz squarely in win-now mode. Recognizing this, Lindsey orchestrated a trade last week, sending his draft lottery pick to the Atlanta Hawks and receiving steady point guard George Hill in return. That solidified a position of tremendous need for the Jazz, and will give Utah a veteran to run its offense.
Now, with free agency, the Jazz want to fill out their roster with depth and veteran talent. Hill and Deng both give the Jazz a lot of the same things — versatile forwards who can play and defend multiple spots on the floor. Deng is the better shooter, the older player and was an All-Star-type talent at the apex of his career. Solomon Hill is 25 years old, still improving and has the makings of a lockdown defender on the wings.
This is the summer Lindsey has been looking forward to. Traditionally, Utah is not a free agent attraction. But Lindsey has always said players want to be in a winning situation. And that's what he can sell. The Jazz haven't made the playoffs in four years. But they have a talented roster ready to make that leap. And the right free agent acquisition can help tilt the scales for the Jazz in that direction.
While Lindsey is on the market making his case, he must assess things in-house as well. Trevor Booker — an essential piece to Utah's frontcourt the last two years — is the one major free agent the Jazz have.
Sources tell The Tribune the team wants Booker back, but as the fourth big man in the rotation. He spent the last two years as the third big. As of now, the Jazz plan to promote Trey Lyles into more minutes.
Booker says he's enjoyed his tenure with the Jazz and would like to remain in the fold. Still, he senses he can potentially get more money on the open market than the $5 million per season he's made the last two years. If that indeed becomes the case, Booker may have little choice but to leave and head elsewhere.
"I love the Jazz," Booker told The Tribune on Wednesday. "I love the city and the organization and I would love to be back. At the same time, I know this is a business, and I may have other opportunities."
Besides Booker, the Jazz have to make a decision on Shelvin Mack, whose contract becomes guaranteed next week. Currently, Utah has seven point guards on its roster, a situation Lindsey says will be alleviated by opening night.
It all adds up to what could be a busy few weeks for the Jazz. And these next few weeks could greatly impact whether the Jazz are a playoff contender, entering the 2016-2017 regular season.
Twitter: @tjonessltrib —
Jazz in free agency
• The Utah Jazz have already traded for point guard George Hill, surrendering their first round pick in doing so. They enter free agency with about $30 million in salary cap space.
• Utah has expressed an interest in Indiana Pacers forward Solomon Hill, league sources say.
• Trevor Booker is Utah's major free agent. While he wants to return, he is expected to garner major interest on the market, according to sources. —
Jazz free agency targets
Solomon Hill Pts Reb Ast FG% 3%
2015-16 10.2 6.9 2.4 .447 .324
Career 10.6 5.4 2.6 .409 .325
2015-16 salary: $1,358,880
Luol Deng Pts Reb Ast FG% 3%
2015-16 12.3 6.0 1.9 .455 .344
Career 15.5 6.2 2.4 .458 .334
2015-16 salary: $10,151,612
Ryan Anderson Pts Reb Ast FG% 3%
2015-16 17.0 6.0 1.1 .427 .366
Career 13.1 5.6 0.9 .423 .377
2015-16 salary: $8,500,000
Sources: Stats per basketball-reference.com; salaries per basketballinsider.com