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2017 NBA free agency grades: Utah Jazz will add Jonas Jerebko

By Raymond Simms

BOSTON, MA - MAY 10: Jonas Jerebko #8 of the Boston Celtics sits on the bench after warming up before Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 10: Jonas Jerebko #8 of the Boston Celtics sits on the bench after warming up before Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz bolster their frontcourt depth further with the signing of Jonas Jerebko.

The Utah Jazz lost small forward Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics in free agency. However, the Jazz managed to get a Celtic in return. On July 12, ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Jazz signed power forward Jonas Jerebko to a two-year, $8.2 million deal. He will make $4 million in 2017-18 and $4.2 million in 2018-19.

Jerebko comes to Salt Lake City after two and a half years in Boston. He played 78 regular season games in 2016-17, starting six of them. He averaged 3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in those appearances. That expands to 8.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per 36 minutes.

Jerebko will likely fill the backup power forward position behind Derrick Favors. Boris Diaw previously held that spot, but he was recently waived.

Jerebko is a bonafide stretch-4 that should fill the role well. In 2016-17, he shot 34.6 percent from three during the season, 33.3 percent during the playoffs (5-for-15), and 35.2 percent for his career. Meanwhile, Diaw shot 24.7 percent from outside in 2016-17, 42.9 percent (6-for-14) during the playoffs and 33.9 percent for his career.

But how many minutes will head coach Quin Snyder allot to Jerebko? The Celtics played him for 15.8 minutes per game in 2016-17 and 15.1 the season before. He could see additional time simply due to being the next true power forward up. However, other teammates could eat into his playing time for various reasons.

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For instance, recent signee Ekpe Udoh could move down from center for a size advantage. Snyder will also look to play small-ball, utilizing Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, and even new arrival Thabo Sefolosha. Snyder leans towards a nine-man rotation for most games. Therefore, Jerebko will have to earn his time off of the bench.

Jerebko is a useful player on a relatively cheap contract. However, it is concerning that he logged a similar Player Efficiency Rating to the two power forwards he is replacing. Jerebko finished 2017 with a 9.3 PER. Diaw finished the regular season with a 9.0 PER. Trey Lyles — traded with Tyler Lydon on draft night for Donovan Mitchell — had a 9.9 PER on the year.

But after eight seasons in the NBA, 30-year-old Jerebko can still use his experience to mentor new third-string “4” Joel Bolomboy. Bolomboy is a second-year player that spent most of last season in the D-League, developing his outside shot. He shot an impressive 46.8 percent from three on 2.8 attempts per game last year for the Salt Lake City Stars.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Jonas Jerebko has found a new home with the Utah Jazz. As a stretch-4 with eight years of NBA experience, he will likely take on a number of roles for a team recovering from the loss of a star.

Grade: C+

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