Utah Jazz outlook toward free agency, trade period, contending in the West
By Simon Smith
Target Chris Paul
With the future of the Los Angeles Clippers in the balance, this represents the perfect time to pursue a player such as Paul. A nine-time All-Star and still among the elite point guards in the game, Paul’s presence on both ends of the floor would be music to the ears of head coach Quin Snyder.
The Jazz’s recent first round series victory over the Clippers would have provided a great selling point of the franchise to Paul. Despite averaging 25.3 points and 9.9 assists during the Clippers’ series loss, it was the Jazz’s superior overall depth which ultimately proved the difference in the series.
Utah Jazz
Having the opportunity to pair Paul with center Rudy Gobert presents the Jazz with an even more formidable team on the defensive end of the floor. Last season, the Jazz ranked third in the league defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) at 102.7 per game. Gobert led the league in blocked shots at 2.6 per game, was fourth in rebounds at 12.8 per game and compiled an excellent defensive rating of 100.6.
Despite the Clippers finishing 13th in defensive rating at 105.8, Paul finished the season with a superb 101.3. This effort included finishing third in the league with 2.0 steals per game, and seventh in the league with 3.5 deflections per game.
Granted, Paul recently turned 32 and has had his share of injury layoffs in recent years. He played in 61 games this regular season, missing time due to midseason thumb surgery. His regular season numbers were outstanding, averaging 18.1 points, 9.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds while overall being a +577 over the course of the season while on the court.
Defense is the calling card of the Jazz, having ranked first in allowing just 96.8 points per game. This was certainly assisted by having the slowest PACE (possessions per 48 minutes) with 93.6 per game. This resulted in the Jazz scoring 100.7 points per game, 28th in the league.
Paul’s Clippers were 18th in PACE this season at 98.2, with Paul himself averaging 98.2. Elite in a half court setting, Paul suits the Jazz’s playing style to a tee. His efficiency is close to his strongest feature, having produced such outstanding numbers this season while only possessing a usage rate of 24.3.
Following his recent battle with the Jazz, coach Snyder was highly complimentary of Paul:
"“No matter what you do, he knows what to do as far as his mind is churning all the time. The game is in slow motion for him. As a result, he’s able to make tremendous reads.”"
Attracting big name free agents to Salt Lake City has never been an easy task, regardless of the success of the franchise. In terms of luring Paul, the Jazz’s playing style — which he obviously saw firsthand recently — and their ascension in recent seasons would be the strongest selling points.
A four-year, $130 million contract is approximately the most allowable that the Jazz can offer. With Paul still desperate for a championship, and the Jazz as a franchise equally so, the pairing comes at an ideal time for both parties.