Do Jazz go 'dynamic' or 'fundamental' in free agency?


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SALT LAKE CITY — After the draft lottery, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey was asked about his team's approach to the free agency period. Remember, this summer, the Jazz will have about $30 million to spend before reaching the NBA's salary cap, and about $20 million to spend before reaching the cap floor. Here's Lindsey's response:

"Obviously guys, when you go to the free agent market with great access and resources, you want to do something dynamic. We'll look at what that means relative to being dynamic first, then if you can't do something dynamic, we'll want to do something fundamental."

In other words, the Jazz will shoot big first. But if that doesn't work out, then they'll look to improve the fundamentals of the team, including just improving the depth of the roster. What are some possibilities?

Dynamic

Kevin Durant, LeBron James.

Okay, let's be honest. While both of these guys are free agents this summer, neither one of them is signing for the Jazz.

Mike Conley

I'm not sure I've ever heard Quin Snyder speak more glowingly about a player than when he spoke about Mike Conley before a Jazz game against Memphis two seasons ago. Conley would be an immediate 5-7 game upgrade for the Jazz in the win column and would add leadership on and off the court. He'd be a perfect fit for the Jazz's style.

The problem: does adding Conley prevent Dante Exum from getting the playing time necessary to become the superstar the Jazz envision? Exum is just 20 years old, recovering from an ACL tear, and may or may not become great. The high variance play is Exum: if he booms, the Jazz could be an elite franchise and truly compete for a championship. If he busts, it's hard to see even first-round home court in the Jazz's future. On the other hand, adding Conley might make the Jazz a perennial 50-win team. Which do you choose?

Nicolas Batum

Batum's trade to Charlotte this season was one gigantic factor in that team's run to the playoffs. His injury during their first round series against the Heat was a big reason the Hornets went home early. But Batum would add a lot to the Jazz: volume outside shooting, wing defense and good rebounding and passing from the small forward position.

Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier broke out this season with the Orlando Magic, and now finds himself in line to get a big contract as a restricted free agent. The Frenchman has already been recruited by Rudy Gobert. Fournier is a nice scorer, efficient from both inside and out, though his overall impact is limited by average defense, passing, and rebounding.

Fundamental

Jared Dudley

Dudley's on the wrong side of 30, but is one of the league's smartest players. Last season for the Washington Wizards, he shot 42 percent from 3-point range, and played some nice defense as well. He'd be a gigantic upgrade over the Jazz's bench wings last year.

Courtney Lee

Also now over 30 years old, Courtney Lee brings 38 percent 3-point shooting and defense, though in a smaller package than Dudley. Did you know Lee has started 60 percent of games in his career? I'm surprised too.

Darrell Arthur

I just like this guy. He's a pretty solid defender from the power forward position, and just added a 3-point shot into his arsenal this season, making 38 percent on just under two attempts per game. He has a player option this season for $2.7 million, but I imagine he'll opt out for more money now and later.

Matthew Dellavedova

Delly is infamously pesky, has shot 41 percent from three for the last two seasons, and is only 25 years old. He wouldn't complain about a backup role, and his plus-minus numbers from this season were extraordinarily good. I would prefer he try the floater less in a Jazz uniform, but Delly's got some skills that I think Snyder would love.

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Andy Larsen

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