Three years ago, Joe Ingles came to the Utah Jazz, acquired from the scrap heap. He was cut by the Los Angeles Clippers, with coach Doc Rivers choosing to keep Jared Cunningham. And when the Jazz acquired him, it was assumed he was on the roster because of his relationship with then-rookie Dante Exum.
Three years later, Ingles is perhaps Utah's most important role player. On Saturday, the Jazz made sure he'll get paid like it.
Ingles — a restricted free agent — has finalized a four-year, $52 million deal to return to the Jazz, his agent Mark Bartelstein told The Tribune. The deal is fully guaranteed, and doesn't contain an option. Ingles has repeatedly expressed his desire to return to Utah. The Jazz were able to get the deal done without Ingles having to go on the market and return with an offer sheet from another team.
"We are really happy for Joe and the Jazz," Bartelstein said. "The Jazz stepped up big time, and to see Joe rewarded for his play and to see his journey is thrilling."
Ingles ended last season as Utah's starting shooting guard, but is normally the sixth man for the Jazz. He averaged 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
His value is in his shooting, defense and versatility. Ingles became one of the best shooters in the league last season, draining 44 percent from 3-point range. He can play — and guard — four positions. He's a very good passer and playmaker. He's one of the Jazz players on the roster who plays with an edge.
Ingles is also a close friend of star small forward Gordon Hayward, who is currently an unrestricted free agent. The two share Bartelstein as an agent and have forged a bond over the past few years.
Hayward met with the Miami Heat on Saturday. He will meet with the Boston Celtics on Sunday and the Jazz on Monday, before taking time to make his final decision.
Getting Ingles locked up before Monday's meeting was a goal for the Jazz. With Friday's trade for starting point guard Ricky Rubio, and Saturday's signing of Ingles, Hayward is now the final piece of Utah's initial free agency puzzle. They didn't want to enter Monday's meeting with Ingles' situation still outstanding.
tjones@sltrib.com
Twitter: @tribjazz
Utah Jazz's Joe Ingles (2) looks to pass as Portland Trail Blazers' Ed Davis, left, and CJ McCollum (3) defend during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Kim Raff)
Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw (0) guards Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Thursday December 8, 2016.
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) puts up a shot as the Utah Jazz host the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Wednesday December 21, 2016.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots as Utah Jazz's Joe Ingles (2) and Rudy Gobert, left, defend in the first half during an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz's Joe Ingles shoots a 3-pointer late in the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 114-107. (AP Photo/Kim Raff)
Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, left, guard Raul Neto, center, and forward Joe Ingles, right, laugh and joke around before the team's NBA basketball game game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Steve Griffin / The Salt Lake Tribune Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) passes around Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City Wednesday February 1, 2017.
Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) of Australia guards as Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) of Germany works for a shot opportunity in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune Joe Ingles drives past Boston's Isaiah Thomas in the first half of a game between the Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.
LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shoots as Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) defends in the first half during an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) and Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Friday, April 7, 2017. Utah Jazz defeated Minnesota Timberwolves 120-113.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) during Game 2 of the Western Conference at the Staples Center Tuesday, April 18, 2017.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) denies LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3). The Utah Jazz lead the Los Angeles Clippers after the first quarter during Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 21, 2017.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) fouls LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6). The Utah Jazz lead the Los Angeles Clippers after the third quarter during Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Friday, April 21, 2017.
Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) holds his arm in the air after nailing a late three pointer during the Jazz versus Clippers NBA playoff game at Viviint Smart Home arena in Salt Lake City Sunday April 23, 2017.
Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) fires and hits a three pointer late in the game during the Jazz versus Clippers NBA playoff game at Viviint Smart Home arena in Salt Lake City Sunday April 23, 2017.
Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) drives past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during game 4 of the NBA playoff game between the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City Monday May 8, 2017.
Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) crashes through Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) and Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) during game 4 of the NBA playoff game between the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City Monday May 8, 2017.
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