THE PERFECT backup Jazz Center; Boban Marjanovic

[infection]

I think the "ideal" back up center for Gobert wouldn't be another Gobert, but someone who can give the Jazz a different look (ie. a center who can hit 3 pt shots, but still set hard screens and play decent D.).

For what it's worth that might be:

Alex Len (36% from 3 last season, 25% this season - and Atlanta is the worst right now, he has to be available).
Aron Baynes (33% from 3, and an 80% ft shooter - Phoenix is the 11th seed currently, Pelicans are climbing - they got to realize playoffs aren't happening soon enough).
Kelly Olynyk (40% from 3 this season, 88% on free throws - Miami likes him, I don't know if they love him though, they have $140M in committed salary and may be looking to lower that amount before the deadline - Olynyk has a player option for $13M for next season).
Frank Kaminsky - (35% from 3 this year, a career 75% FT shooter, the Suns like him for sure, but even averaging 11 ppg and 5 boards, he is the lesser of their 2 backup centers.) May be available.
Cody Zeller - (hits just 27% from 3 this season, but is the best rebounder of the group with 7 per game - Charlotte could move him because at 15M next season, he's a bit overpaid).
Larry Nance Jr. (definitely more of a 4/5 with emphasis on him being a 4, but he hits 34% of his 3s, great rebounder 6.9 rpg, and is a great energy guy off the bench, this one just seems like a possibility because Utah likes to trade with Cleveland lately - see Jordan Clarkson-Dante Exum, Kyle Korver-Alec Burks, Jae Crowder-Rodney Hood trades).

Not sure Nance is possible for a number of reasons, but even if hypothetically he were, he's got a contract that runs a few years around $10M. Not a bad deal, but may be really hard to fit into our cap. But I went to look at his defense a bit and this was a pretty impressive video:



In a hypothetical world, if he ended up juts getting most of Bradley and Niang's minutes, that'd be huge.

 

[Joncolton]

I don’t know - part of me is like Larry Nance Jr. would definitely require a 1st round pick, then another part is like why give up a first for a guy averaging 8ppg on a bad team?!!

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I saw Boban go off for like 21 pts 15 rebounds like 2 and a half years back in Houston. He was toying with the rockets.

He has his moments. He's an immobile post center tho. He doesn't really do PNR well and he can't move on D at all

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think Boban is a guy you throw in like once every 10 games and when people aren't ready for it he can dominate for a short stretch while the normal huge humans figure out what to do with this monster... if he's an everyday guy he can be planned around pretty easily... they guy just can't keep up on the court.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Not sure Nance is possible for a number of reasons, but even if hypothetically he were, he's got a contract that runs a few years around $10M. Not a bad deal, but may be really hard to fit into our cap. But I went to look at his defense a bit and this was a pretty impressive video:



In a hypothetical world, if he ended up juts getting most of Bradley and Niang's minutes, that'd be huge.

I think he's on a trajectory where he would be just about the exact big we're looking to add given the context. I think his shooting would improve significantly. Decent rebounder, has been a decent rim-protector in recent years.

If the Jazz can find a big that is mediocre or better-than-average on defense and on the glass with legit size and doesn't break the spacing or the flow of the offense, that is possibly the final piece. If the Jazz had a 1st to offer I would consider sending it for Nance.

But, "cool story, bro." Doubt he's available. Most teams are looking for players like I'm describing and I don't think Cleveland is looking to move him at all.

 

[carolinajazz]

We had the perfect backup center.......FAVORS! We traded him away for I have no idea but had we kept him we would be in great shape for sure!

 

[kabenac]

I don’t know - part of me is like Larry Nance Jr. would definitely require a 1st round pick, then another part is like why give up a first for a guy averaging 8ppg on a bad team?!!

Someone could make the same argument about Royce averaging 6.2 PPG but we all know Royce would be worth a 1st.

Cleveland signed Nance to a 4-year extension in October of 2018 and his numbers have remained pretty consistent since then so I think he's in their long-term plans, unfortunately.