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SALT LAKE CITY — It's the first day of the NBA's free agency period: for the first time, teams can legally speak to free agents about their upcoming contracts.
We've seen multiple media reports about the Jazz being aggressive in free agency this summer with their cap space. They'll have at least $25 million to spend to get up to the salary cap and could have more flexibility if they choose to move some other contracts currently on the team (Chris Johnson, Shelvin Mack or Trey Burke, for example). Let's take a look at the Jazz's options.
Luol Deng
Multiple league sources had told me about the Jazz's interest in Luol Deng coming in to this free agency period, and now that free agency has opened, the Jazz are pushing for Deng hard, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:
Deng would add a lot to the Jazz: a smart, tough, defensive veteran presence with length and go-to scoring option experience. He just turned 31 years old, so the Jazz would prefer a short-term deal, two years would be perfect. Such a deal would also help with the Jazz's long-term cap situation as well.
Deng's also being chased by the Minnesota Timberwolves (former coach Tom Thibodeau would love a reunion) and his current team, the Miami Heat. Just an hour ago, it was also reported the Boston Celtics have interest. As more teams enter the sweepstakes for Deng, the likelihood that the Jazz are able to get the contract they want decreases.
Editor's note: The Lakers agreed to a four-year, $72-million deal with Deng, the Associated Press reported Saturday morning.
Jared Dudley
The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the Jazz met with Washington Wizard forward Jared Dudley late Thursday night.
Dudley would be a great fit with the Jazz, immediately adding catch-and-shoot ability from the small forward and power forward positions. Dudley knows his role and wouldn't expect to start on a team with young talent ahead of him. He's also a smart player: The ball never sticks with Dudley, and he works well in offenses. His defensive smarts make up for some lack of athleticism as well.
It may be easier to name the teams that haven't been linked to Dudley than those that have. One of the NBA's most fun personalities, he's playfully made himself available on Twitter whenever any fan base shows an interest in him. Returning to Washington is a real option, as is Boston, Phoenix, Brooklyn, Miami and Utah. That the Jazz met with him so close to free agency opening is meaningful.
Editor's note: Dudley signed a three-year, $30-million contract with Phoenix on Friday, the Associated Press is reporting.
Solomon Hill
The Jazz's interest in Hill was first reported by the Salt Lake Tribune. Salt City Hoops' Dan Clayton reports that the Jazz are meeting with Hill Friday:
Clayton further goes on to say that Hill is meeting with five teams today, but the point remains: Hill certainly seems to be on Utah's wishlist.
Hill impressed in the playoffs with solid defense at all positions, and ESPN's Zach Lowe wrote about his feel for the game in an article looking for free agency bargains. Whether or not that's true depends hugely on whether the team that signs him will get early-season or late-season Hill. Before the last month of the season Hill had made just 10 three-point shots, but made 24 in his last 12 games. If that's real, and Hill can become a reasonable shooter, he'd be a bargain.
Before that, though, it wasn't clear if he was an NBA player: He's a free agent now because the Pacers didn't pick up his fourth-year player option. Now, reports say he could get between $9 and $13 million per season. It's a crazy world out there.
Editor's note: Hill signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
Mo Harkless
The man who would prefer to be called Maurice is a restricted free agent for the Trail Blazers this season. That means that the Jazz will have to overpay to earn his services and hope that Portland doesn't match. ESPN's Lowe predicts that it would take an offer over $10 million per season to see the Blazers pass on keeping Harkless.
Harkless, on paper, is a little bit like Hill: young (just 23), 6'9'' and long, can defend reasonably well across all positions and can't really shoot convincingly. He might be a better rebounder than Hill, though, especially on the offensive glass.
ESPN's Mark Spears reports that the Jazz, Pistons, Wizards, Lakers and Mavericks are all teams with interest in Harkless.
