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NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Utah Jazz

By Jerry Christodoulatos

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz high-five during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz high-five during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Nemanja Bjelica

Nemanja Bjelica wouldn’t be a particularly glamorous signing, but he’s exactly the type of player that this Jazz team is looking for in the frontcourt. The Serbian international brings a number of offensive skills to the table. He can shoot effectively from deep and space the floor, but also has some nifty ability as a playmaker off the bounce. Although Jonas Jerebko had himself a nice year in Utah, Bjelica would represent a nice upgrade over the Swedish big. Nemanja simply offers a more nuanced skill set that meshes with the egalitarian ethos of the Jazz offense.

Bjelica is not an especially adept defender. A lot of four men can beat him off the dribble and he’s not well equipped to guard some of the stretchier forwards in the league on the perimeter. But those limitations shouldn’t be much of a problem in Utah. With Rudy Gobert patrolling the paint, Utah can get away with playing some relatively weak defenders in its rotation.

Over the past two seasons, Coach Thibodeau hasn’t given the Serbian forward much leeway in the Minnesota rotation. Last season he preferred to give Taj Gibson the bulk of the minutes at the four spot. Thibs only brought Bjelica into the starting lineup after Jimmy Butler’s injury. Given Coach Thibodeau’s lukewarm attitude toward Bjelica, he should be attainable despite his status as a restricted free agent. His market won’t be especially robust so he should be available on the cheap. An added bonus of his cheap value is that the Jazz can pursue Bjelica regardless of whether or not they decide to operate over the cap.

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