| 13 December 2011
We're pleased to have TrueHoop Network writer for Salt City Hoops, Mychal Lowman on board for a very special presentation and analysis of some the Utah Jazz's lengthier free agent wing options. You can follow @My_Lo on Twitter for always-entertaining commentary on all things NBA.
It's no secret the Jazz are in the market for wing players. They need depth. In a shortened season where the amount of games is one 6 away from being the sign of the [he who shall not be named] the Jazz NEED depth. For the Jazz, however, the situation is complicated by where their wing players are at in their development.
CJ Miles is now entering his 3,495 year as a Jazz man. Okay, okay, so it is his 7th year but he's been here forever, right? Last year he was wildly inconsistent. Some days he showed an ability to take over a game with his slashing ability and hot shooting hand. Other nights the only way one knew he was still in a Jazz uniform was by looking at the minutes played in the box score. Yet he's only 24 and is still two years out from even being in his prime. Given how he has come to
camp in phenomenal shape this year, one would think this could be the year he puts it all together. He could be on the cusp of breaking out for a big season.
Then there's Gordon Hayward. The precious. The golden boy. White chocolate. Star of the Starcraft. Andy from Toy Story 3. He got off to a rough start at the beginning of the year (no thanks to a certain pass from a certain player who no longer is with the Jazz) and seemed to never get out of his shell. Then in the last month of the 2010-2011 season he became possessed with Hornacek's spirit and Ginobili's tenacity and gave Jazz fans a glimpse of what Kevin O'Connor foresaw when drafting him.
Add to that mix Alec Burks, who has draft steal written all over him with his Ronnie Brewer like athleticism and, thank god, anti-Ronnie Brewer shooting stroke. He gets to the line more often than Boris Diaw gets to the buffet line. But will he adjust to the speed of the NBA fast enough to contribute at a high level this year?
Last, but not least, you have Raja Bell. Bell had a very forgettable season. He went from being the final piece of the Jazz's offseason puzzle last year to a hot mess. He visibly had lost a step, his 3 point shooting was average at best, and he stole developmental minutes from Hayward. And he's not getting any younger.
There in a nutshell is Utah's wing situation. From where Kevin O'Connor sits he sees that he needs someone in the wings the Jazz can trust night in and night out. But he also needs a guy that would not become a locker room cancer if he has to sit when/if the young guns play to their potential. But just as Adelman said, "Potential gets coaches fired." It also puts GMs on the hot seat. O'Connor is looking for a Small Forward who can be a consistent threat on the court and a consistent teammate off of it. He's basically looking for seasonal help. Here are his candidates currently:
Josh Howard (Howard was in to meet with Jazz brass this morning)
John Hollinger's Analysis:
+ He's a two-way forward who has battled knee problems. Athleticism on the wane.
+ Decent midrange shooter and rebounder. Handles ball well for size.
+ Has length to defend. Not a troublemaker but flaky persona a concern.
Why he would fit the Jazz?
He has length. He works hard on both ends of the floor. That's something the Jazz want to instill on their young wing players. That you must work hard on every possession. Also decent midrange game works well with Jazz's curls at the top of the key.
Why wouldn't he fit the Jazz?
For everything else that he brings. He is injury prone and aging. He also has a flaky persona and that is something you want to keep as far away as you can on a young developing team. I get that Utah wants to stay competitive, but not this way. Adding Howard brings someone who is mentally distant from most of your roster. I can't see him working hard and being a good teammate, especially on the team like the Jazz that is full of young players. Besides the Jazz already have a wing player whose athleticism is on the wane: Raja Bell.
Andrei Kirilenko
Hollinger's Analysis:
+ Long-armed wing who excels at blocking shots from behind.
+ Good ball handler and passer but lacks aggression and strength.
+ Mediocre outside shooter but a very good finisher around the basket.
Why would he fit the Jazz?
Andrei is the perfect fit for what the Jazz are looking for. He's consistent and knows the Jazz's system. He needs to lay off the 3 pointers but all in all he truly makes his teammates better. He does everything. EVERYTHING. Also, it would be interesting to see how Ty Corbin would utilize Kirilenko differently than Jerry Sloan.
Why wouldn't he fit the Jazz?
Money. Right now Andrei is asking for at least 3 years, 27 million. One would think that he would give the Jazz a hometown discount for the millions of dollars he was paid with his max contract deal. Sadly, at least for now, it does not appear Kirilenko is going to end his career in a Jazz uniform.
Reggie Williams 
Hollinger Analysis:
+ No-necked left-handed wing with scorer's instincts. Great feel for game.
+ Very good spot-up shooter. Careful player -- rarely draws fouls or turns it over.
+ Subpar defender. Poor lateral movement and athleticism. Handles ball well.
Why would he fit the Jazz?
He's a natural scorer as Hollinger put it. His 3-point percentage for last season was .423. He also has a little Wesley Matthews and Sundiata Gaines in him. He was a D-League find from the Golden State Warriors. He knows that his opportunity to play in the NBA is a privilege and he'll do what it takes to stay in. Plus, he's cheap. Much cheaper than Josh Howard, Andrei Kirilenko, or anybody else the Jazz could bring in. Did I mention he's only 25? Also check out this line from Hollinger: "Yet another D-League find by the Warriors, Williams is a natural offensively, making him ideal in the sixth-man role."
Why wouldn't he fit the Jazz?
He's a bad defender. But he played for the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors play defense like ___________ (insert any simile you like right here). Doesn't matter what it is or how bad it is because it will probably be true). If he was brought to a new system that emphasizes defense I think we could see Reggie improve to an average defender. Let's not forget the Jazz are not looking for a starter. They are looking for depth. They need someone to fill 10-20 minutes a night and be consistent. Hollinger also remarks that he's a tad "doughy".
So there's your candidates. No real big agent splash for the Jazz (unless you count Earl Watson as a splash, though I love him). There is talent available though. I see the Jazz going for a low budget, high risk reward. If the Jazz are looking for that I can definitely see Jazz brass falling in love with a guy like Reggie Williams. Plus, don't all Jazz fans have a warm spot for D-League overachievers?
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