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SALT LAKE CITY — The Jazz will make their first free agency signing this week to grab what looks like to be the backup point guard for Trey Burke.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN the Jazz and John Lucas III have agreed to Lucas being a part of the team. The deal isn't done, but should be completed by the end of the week.
Lucas, 31, played last season with the Toronto Raptors, spending most of the time as a third-string point guard. He appeared in 63 games and averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 assists per game.
This signing would bring the Jazz up to the minimum roster spots of 13. This deal, along with Jerel McNeal's non-guaranteed contract, would give the Jazz three point guards.
McNeal is expendable and might be used as a shooting guard, so the Jazz could make another move at the point.
Lucas's signing is the next step to both give Trey Burke playing time and probably tank for a season. Lucas quickly becomes the veteran presence in the back court and can play significant minutes if needed.
Lucas has spent time with the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls before his year in Toronto. He has also spent significant time bouncing around the D-League and random foreign leagues.
