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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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LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1977: Gail Goodrich #25 of the New Orleans Jazz shoots over Elvin Hayes #11 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1977 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Goodrich played for the Jazz from 1976-79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gail Goodrich; Elvin Hayes
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1977: Gail Goodrich #25 of the New Orleans Jazz shoots over Elvin Hayes #11 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1977 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Goodrich played for the Jazz from 1976-79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gail Goodrich; Elvin Hayes /

118. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Veteran free agent, July 19, 1976.. SG. 1976-79. Gail Goodrich. 22. player

The New Orleans Jazz signed former All-Star guard Gail Goodrich as a veteran free agent in July 1976, looking to team him with Pete Maravich in a dynamic backcourt.

But the signing was costly. The Jazz had to send four first-round picks—1977, two in 1978 and 1979—along with second-round selections in 1977 and 1980 to the Los Angeles Lakers as compensation.

Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson /

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But Goodrich had a short, but decent, run with the Jazz, despite missing much of the 1976-77 season with an Achilles injury. He retired during the summer of 1979.

In three seasons in New Orleans, Goodrich averaged 14.2 points, 4.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.1 minutes per game, shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 81.5 percent at the line.

Goodrich was a territorial selection out of UCLA by the Lakers in the 1965 NBA Draft before being chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the expansion draft in May 1968.

He was an All-Star in 1969 with Phoenix and was traded back to the Lakers in May 1970, earning four more All-Star bids, an All-NBA nod in 1973-74 and a championship ring in 1972.

Goodrich was Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

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