Dwyane Wade: 5 potential landing spots in 2018 NBA free agency
By KC Whitten
4. Utah Jazz
The young Utah Jazz are a team on the rise. Led by superstar shooting guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert, the Jazz have advanced to the second round of the playoffs the last two seasons.
Similar to OKC, Utah doesn’t have the practical cap space to offer Wade a big contract. However, they do have $8.6 million available to offer using their mid-level exception.
Signing with the Jazz could benefit both Wade and the franchise. Due to the stellar offensive production of Mitchell, he wouldn’t be counted upon to carry the load. All that would be asked of him is 15-20 minutes off the bench, and his average of 11.6 points per game last season would suffice.
He would also bring much-needed veteran leadership to the locker room in Utah. The young squad has a 1-8 record in the second round the past two years, and were eliminated by veteran teams in the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. Wade could mentor Mitchell along with the rest of the starters — and newly drafted Grayson Allen — and assist the coaching staff in their development.