NBA free agency: 10 destinations for Derrick Rose in 2017
By John Buhler
118. . West. Northwest. Utah Jazz. 8. player
Even with the George Hill trade, the Utah Jazz still has one of the worst backcourts in the NBA. Hill will provide a veteran presence that should get the Jazz back into the 2017 NBA Playoffs, but Utah head coach Quin Snyder could grow tired of his turnover-prone point guard very quickly.
Let’s not forget that three of Utah’s point guards of Hill, Trey Burke, and Shelvin Mack will all hit free agency in summer 2017, leaving the Jazz with only unproven and often-injured Australian point guard Dante Exum.
Utah does have a fantastic young front court, but the organization probably won’t tolerate another abysmal season from its point guards in 2017-18. If Hill walks in 2017 NBA free agency, there’s a chance that Utah targets Rose to run the Jazz offense in 2017-18.
Snyder is a former point guard at Duke and will certainly put together an offense catered around Rose’s strengths in playing the position. Utah has a great basketball culture and will appreciate good play at the point from an aging former All-Star. In a best case scenario, Rose would play like Deron Williams did for the Jazz his first few years in the league.
Utah still hasn’t appropriately replaced Williams at the point. Salt Lake City isn’t asking for the next John Stockton, as there isn’t one. The Jazz faithful just want somebody competent at point guard to help get their favorite team back into the Western Conference Playoffs. Rose could easily be that guy in Utah.
Next: 7. Philadelphia 76ers.