Utah Jazz Can Technically Sign Free Agents Right Now

As soon as the final seconds expired in Boston’s championship win over Dallas yesterday in game 5, the NBA off season officially kicked off.

No, not hypothetical signings or what if scenarios, but legitimate transactions are now able to be processed as of this morning.

It is a new procedure due to the agreed upon collective bargaining agreement of 2023.

“Teams can start negotiating with their free agents one day after the season ends.” (John Hollinger, New York Times)

Negotiations typically reserved for the end of June can now happen weeks in advance, thanks to the quick work made of Dallas by the Boston Celtics.

The spotlight now shifts from two teams, to all 30 in the association, including your very own Utah Jazz.

Now while pen cannot hit paper until July rolls around, contracts can be agreed upon and if the Jazz so choose they can begin forming new deals with their following free agents:

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:

Kris Dunn-

66 Games, 32 Started, 5.4 PPG, 3.8 APG, 47 % FG, 37 % 3P

Luka Samanic-

43 Games, 7 Started, 4.1 PPG, 2.4 TRB, 38 % FG, 20 % 3P

Talen Horton-Tucker-

51 Games, 11 Started, 10.1 PPG, 3.5 APG, 40 % FG, 33 % 3P

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:

Johnny Juzang-

20 Games, 5 Started, 7.2 PPG, 1.2 APG, 46 % FG, 42 % 3P

Micah Potter-

16 Games, 0 Started, 3.3 PPG, 2.7 TRB, 48 % FG, 43 % 3P

Kira Lewis Jr-

12 Games, 0 Started, 3.8 PPG, 1.6 APG, 45 % FG, 15 % 3P

(Shooting percentage statistics rounded to nearest whole number)

For the Jazz, a 31-51 team who got worse, like much worse, as the season went on, its no surprise to learn the Jazz were prioritizing expiring contracts on last year's team.

The list of Utah’s free agents may be high, but the Jazz interest level in beginning talks with most of them likely isn't.

The Jazz sought after players in trades who would have their contracts come off the books this off season, in order to garner more money, and spend it elsewhere.

Between these 6 free agents, the Jazz have three other players in Kenneth Lofton Jr, Darius Bazley and Omer Yurtseven who are all on non-guaranteed contracts.

This means if the Jazz truly want to reshape the roster it wont be difficult considering 50 percent of the 18 roster spots including two-way deals could be opened up via free agency or non-guaranteed contracts.

Adding in trade rumors circling around players under contract such as Jordan Clarkson and John Collins, makes it easy to see the Jazz are primed to have a different roster build this upcoming season.

The inevitable team shakeup isn't an unfortunate setback, but a very much expected byproduct of the Jazz retooling and resetting.

That isn't to say that none of these players have interest to the Jazz.

Kris Dunn got another crack at the NBA in Utah and made the most of it.

As the one free agent consistently in the rotation, there may be interest between the two camps.

His tenacity and leadership could be seen as pivotal for such a young team.

His defense could be essential for what Utah put on the floor last year.

Micah Potter and Johnny Juzang have been two-way contract players for the Jazz the past two seasons.

Despite spending most of their time with the G-League affiliate, both are familiar with Coach Hardy and his philosophies.

Juzang, signed as an undrafted free agent by Utah, saw a career high game this year with 27 points.

If the Jazz like the progress, or the familiarity, a deal of sorts wouldn't be out of the question.

For any of the other names on the list, its fully dependent on the route the Jazz decide to go.

If Utah determines to go in on being competitive, developmental pieces like Kira Lewis Jr. and Luka Samanic may not fit the grand scheme.

They many not even fit the scheme if the Jazz plan on year #3 of a blatant rebuild.

Talen Horton-Tucker jammed up an unsettled backcourt last year, and likely will seek a prove it deal after seeing his numbers dip in year #2 as a Jazz man.

The Jazz likely wont be the team willing enough to let him “prove it”, as two years seemed ample enough time for THT.

So, yes.

By definition the Jazz can start getting down to the nitty gritty with these players, progress can be made on a new deal.

And although it can happen, it doesn’t seem likely to happen as the Jazz try to nail down their direction this off-season as the draft and free agency looms.