Ranking the best fits for the Utah Jazz in free agency

Note: This article was originally published just before 2015 NBA free agency.

While the Jazz aren’t a destination for the big names available on the free agent market, they still have some holes to fill and money left under the cap. LeBron James, Marc Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge wont be putting on a Jazz jersey anytime soon, but there are plenty of solid players to help Utah make a push for the playoffs in the next few years without stunting the growth of the young pieces already on the roster.

Here is my list of the best fits for the Utah Jazz in free agency.

15. Dorell Wright, unrestricted

Wright would fit on the Jazz roster for one reason, he can shoot the ball. In 2014-15, he played 48 games for the Portland Trail Blazers and averaged 4.6 points on 38 percent shooting from 3-point land. He added 2.3 rebounds in 12.3 minutes.

14. Shane Larkin, unrestricted

If the Jazz aren’t satisfied with what they have from a third point guard, Larkin would be worth a look. He was a first round pick two years ago and is just 22 years old. In 2014-15, he played 76 games for the New York Knicks and averaged 6.2 points on 43.3 percent shooting from the floor. He added 3.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 24.5 minutes.

13. Gigi Datome, restricted

Datome is another big wing who can really shoot the ball. He played 21 games for the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics and averaged 5.0 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor, including 45 percent from beyond the arc. He added 1.4 rebounds in 10 minutes.

12. Mirza Teletovic, restricted

Although he is a very streaky shooter, Teletovic is a solid stretch-4. He is a 36.2 percent career shooter from 3-point range and a decent rebounder. In 2014-15 he played 40 games for the Brooklyn Nets and averaged 8.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.3 minutes.

11. Andre Miller, unrestricted

Who better than to show the young guards what it means to be a longtime NBA player than the 16-year veteran from the University of Utah. Miller played 81 games for the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings and averaged 4.4 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor. He added 3.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 15.5 minutes.

10. Jameer Nelson, unrestricted

Nelson is an experienced point guard who would be a good mentor for Trey Burke and Dante Exum. After spending most of his career as a starter, he spent the last half of the 2014-15 season coming off the bench for the Denver Nuggets. During that time, he played 34 games and averaged 9.6 points on 45 percent shooting from the floor. He added 3.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 20.6 minutes.

9. K.J. McDaniels, restricted

McDaniels is far from the finished product, but he is a great athlete who can help on the defensive side of the ball from day one. In 2014-15, he played 62 games for the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets and averaged 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks in 21.8 minutes.

8. Omri Casspi, unrestricted

While not an elite defender, Casspi could be a great scorer for the second unit with the Jazz. In 2014-15, he played 67 games for the Sacramento Kings and averaged 8.9 points on 48.9 percent shooting from the floor, including 40.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He added 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 21.1 minutes.

7. Kyle O’Quinn, restricted

O’Quinn has shown the ability to be a solid scorer and rebounder during limited minutes with the Orlando Magic. In 2014-15, he played 51 games and averaged 5.8 points on 49.2 percent shooting from the floor. He added 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.2 minutes.

6. Jae Crowder, restricted

Crowder has the work ethic and the defensive ability to fit in right away. He got more time after he was traded to the Boston Celtics and showed he could contribute to a playoff team. In 2014-15, he played 82 games and averaged 7.7 pointsd on 42 percent shooting from the floor. He added 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.1 minutes.

5. Kevin Seraphin, unrestricted

His minutes and production has dropped in the last few seasons, but Seraphin is still a very solid back up center. He has nice touch around the rim and does a decent job protecting the rim. In 2014-15, he played 79 games and averaged 6.6 points on 51.3 percent shooting from the floor. He added 3.6 rebounds in 15.6 minutes.

4. Marco Belinelli, unrestricted

Even though he has bounced all around the league during his eight seasons, Belinelli has always been able to shoot it from deep. In 2104-15, he played 62 games for the San Antonio Spurs and averaged 9.2 points on 42.3 percent shooting, including 37.4 percent from distance. He added 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.4 minutes.

3. Brandan Wright, unrestricted

Wright has a very similar skill set to Ed Davis. He can block shots and really finish in the paint. In 2014-15, he played 75 games for the Mavericks, Celtics and the Phoenix Suns and averaged 7.3 points on 64.2 percent shooting from the floor. He added 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 19.3 minutes.

2. Jonas Jerebko, unrestricted

Like Teletovic, Jerebko could be an excellent fit as a stretch-4. In 2014-15, he played 75 games for the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics and averaged 6.0 points on 44.6 percent shooting from the floor, including 38.6 percent from beyond the arc. He added 3.8 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.

1. Ed Davis, unrestricted

Davis has been solid on both ends of the floor during his entire career (in limited minutes). He is efficient on the offensive end and a solid rebounder. In 2014-15, he played 79 games and averaged 8.3 points on 60.1 percent shooting from the floor. He added 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 assists in 23.3 minutes.

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