Utah Jazz
By Tony Jones
The Jazz would have interest in Russell, but only if the Nets renounce his cap hold, making him an unrestricted free agent. As a player, the Jazz like Russell. He’s a dynamic presence in pick and roll and the Jazz have one of the best PNR bigs in the league in Rudy Gobert. Russell is also a dynamic isolation player, capable of creating his own offense off the dribble, which the Jazz sorely need in support of Donovan Mitchell. Most importantly, Russell and Mitchell have a close and longstanding relationship. However, the Jazz are very unlikely to make a substantial offer sheet to Russell or any RFA, because to clear the needed space, they would be forced to renounce the rights to Derrick Favors, and they aren’t going to do that for less than a sure thing. So, if the Nets sign a significant free agent or two and Russell shakes loose on the market, the Jazz may explore. But if Russell stays an RFA, it’s unlikely the Jazz pursue.
Leroux’s salary cap view: Even if they let Ricky Rubio walk, Utah is still well short of an offer at or over $20 million starting salary unless they let Favors go as well. Losing Rubio, Sefolosha and Udoh only leaves them with $14.8 million in space. Their other not fully guaranteed contracts are Favors, Kyle Korver (partially guaranteed), Raul Neto, Georges Niang and Royce O’Neale. The last three do not move the needle much because they are low salaries, plus the Jazz presumably want to keep some or all of them. Korver is not enough either so it likely comes down to Favors.
