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Utah Jazz: 25 Best Players To Play For The Jazz

By Phil Watson

Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 03: Mehmet Okur #13 of the Utah Jazz drives against Tim Thomas #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 03: Mehmet Okur #13 of the Utah Jazz drives against Tim Thomas #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

11. player. 118. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, July 27, 2004.. C-PF. 2004-11. Mehmet Okur

Mehmet Okur had just won a championship ring as a rotation guy before signing a free-agent deal with the Utah Jazz in July 2004.

He emerged as a star with the Jazz, earning an All-Star bid in 2007 and giving the team a legitimate stretch big before the term was popular.

UTA_11_OKUR
UTA_11_OKUR /

But his career was stalled by an Achilles injury in 2010 and he was traded in December 2011 to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for a second-round pick in 2015 and a trade exception.

In seven seasons in Utah, Okur averaged 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 31.7 minutes per game, shooting .462/.381/.804.

Okur was a second-round pick from Efes Pilsen in Turkey by the Detroit Pistons in the 2001 NBA Draft and came to the NBA in 2002, helping the Pistons to an NBA title in 2004.

He returned to Turkey during the NBA lockout before returning to play for New Jersey and was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in March 2012.

Okur retired after being waived by the Trail Blazers six days later, without ever suiting up for a game with them.

Next: His Road To The NBA Included A Wrench

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