The Utah Jazz have come to terms with restricted free agent forward Joe Ingles on a deal to return to the team.
The Utah Jazz came into this year’s free agency period with a number of tough decisions to make after a 2016-17 season of promising success and growth.
The team made waves earlier than was expected of them by orchestrating two draft-day trades that netted Donovan Mitchell and Tony Bradley, then got a jump start on free agency with a deal that landed Ricky Rubio.
The Jazz then threw their hat into the ring once more to agree on a deal with swingman Joe Ingles, as first reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Ingles deal: 4 years, $52M, source says. https://t.co/yW7MF2zmSu
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2017
Ingles was set to be a restricted free agent, which would have given the Jazz the ability to match whatever offer he received from another team. Obviously, that right was not exercised here, which leads us to believe a couple things.
The Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers were reportedly interested in Ingles’ services, but it looks like a meeting, let alone an offer sheet, never came to fruition.
It certainly looks like the Jazz wanted to avoid having to pay a premium to match another offer, hence the deal getting done early, but that plan only works if Ingles is willing to miss out on getting the most money possible.
Coming off a season in which he averaged 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, Ingles doesn’t seem to be a $13 million-per-year player on the surface, but his value goes far beyond the counting stats.
He’s a lethal perimeter shooter, nailing 44 percent of his long-range attempts last season, but brings more to the table, being able to play the 2-4, run a pick-and-roll, and lock down guards and forwards alike.
Plugging him in with the starters was a revelation last year, as his versatility on both ends and ability to space the floor jumpstarted the Jazz on many occasions.
Jazz Starters with Joe Ingles: +22.7 netrtg in 149 mins
— Adam Coffman (@A_Coffee4) June 20, 2017
Starters with Rodney Hood: -3.4 netrtg in 152 mins
To me, that's worth re-signing.
As will likely be the theme for the larger moves the Jazz make this summer, Ingles is a known asset, so fitting him into the roster and team culture next year will be no trouble at all.
The only main domino left to fall for Utah is Gordon Hayward, whose NBA future at the time of this writing is still up in the air. Ingles’ return should be a good selling point for Hayward, as the Jazz have more or less brought back a team that should rival or even surpass last year’s win total.
Should Hayward go to another team as a free agent, Ingles will be in line for a much larger role, while if he returns, Ingles will be in a prime spot to thrive in his old position.
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As far as finances go, the Jazz set themselves up to pay Ingles whatever it took by trading for Rubio, which also effectively tanked any chance of retaining George Hill at point.
Ingles’ contract is right about in line with market value, considering how valuable position-less, 3-and-D wings are in the modern NBA.
He’ll never be a main scoring cog, but that’s not what the Jazz are paying him to be.
Although he only just completed his third season in the league, age may turn into a factor, as Ingles most likely hit his peak last season. However, players of his mold tend to decline much more gradually than others.
All in all, it’s hard not to be happy for the 29-year-old, who played professionally in his native Australia as well as Spain for eight years before coming to the NBA. Now, that international journeyman has seen his travels pay off in a major way.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
At the end of the day, Ingles may have been able to make more money on the open market, but there was a clearly a mutual desire for him to come back to Utah. The Jazz did well to retain a key piece without completely going overboard on price.