A couple of intriguing international prospects highlighted a fairly quiet offseason for the Jazz.
In:
Raul Neto – Free Agent, 3-years, $2.8 million
Tibor Pleiss – Free Agent, 3-years, $10 million
J.J. O’Brien – Free Agent, non guaranteed
Out:
Jeremy Evans – signed for Dallas
Draft:
Trey Lyles – 12th overall
Olivier Hanlan – 42nd overall
Overview:
The Utah Jazz did not pursue big name free agents, opting instead on a couple of foreign prospects. Their most significant move was signing German center Tibor Pleiss from Barcalona. Pleiss, 25, was drafted in 2010, but his rights had been traded three times before coming to the Jazz as apart of the Enes Kanter deal. Standing 7’3, Pleiss adds even more size to Utah’s frontcourt. He’s considered one of Europe’s best center prospects, and is a great passer out of post. Pleiss fills the role of backup center previously occupied by Kanter, but comes a much cheaper price. At 25, he should be more developed than most big men entering their first season in the NBA. He didn’t play a ton for Barcalona last season, but he’s intriguing prospect that comes relatively cheap.
Utah also signed Raul Neto, a Brazilian point guard, to a 3-year, $2.8 million deal. Like Pleiss, Neto spent last season in Spain, averaging nearly 9 points and four assists per game. He’s only 23, and originally was brought in to be a 3rd point guard behind Dante Exum and Trey Burke. With Exum out with a tore ACL, Neto’s role will expand. His inexperience at the NBA level could hinder his effectiveness early in the season. He is however, another promising international prospect, and comes at a very low price.
Trey Lyles was taken 12th overall, and wasn’t exactly who many predicted they would take. He’s a strong finisher at the rim, how much he improves his jumpshot will determine just how effective he is in the NBA. Five years ago, he would have been labeled a “tweener” but in today’s increasingly positional-less NBA, finding a role shouldn’t be as difficult.
The Jazz had a shrewd offseason, signing a couple of intriguing international prospects. The signings were smart, and didn’t cap tie the team, but they probably didn’t make the team a whole lot better either. The Jazz want to make a run at the playoffs this season, but based on their offseason they feel the current roster has what it takes to make that run. Exum’s injury buts a damper on those prospects — still, the Jazz had a nice, quiet, offseason.
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