2026 free agency

[Park Bites]

Eason is my target first
Grimes is probably second
Ellis is probably the get

Alot rides on the draft and let me explain. If the jazz, with luck from the basketball gods, win the lottery and get a pick 1 through 4 the. A near max type contract for eason wouldn't make a lot of sense.

For an example we get AJ

You are probably looking at

Key
Ace
AJ
Lauri
Kess

As your starters and figure Kessler is resigned for around the 25 million range.

You are now looking at a team that will probably need a rookie max for Key the following year. You can't pay 30 million for a bench player in Eason.

I think Grimes at 20 million would be a lot more doable and he could be the 6th man the Jazz need.

Now with the balance sheets in mind Ellis seems to be the perfect fit. A defensive specialist how can knock down 3s. He is probably going to be had for the mid-level at best the bi annual exception is probably closer.

Now I'd the jazz stay at 6 through 8 they will be looking at more of a project and bringing in a more established player might make more sense but Key still needs to be resigned.

 

[NAOS_pt2]

... but Key still needs to be resigned.

Why? He's playing so well!!

 

[sip]

I love the idea of Eason but he is so injury prone and the only way to actually get him is through a sign and trade. In that case you are not only giving him a huge salary but you are also having to throw in at least some type of future 1st and probably a young player.