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SALT LAKE CITY — Marcus Paige signed a contract with the Jazz Monday, bringing the Jazz's training camp roster to 18 players. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Paige, a four-year player out of North Carolina, was drafted by the Jazz 55th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. He excelled for the Tar Heels, leading them to the NCAA Championship game this March.
He struggled in the Jazz's summer league play, though: in nine games, he shot only 35 percent and picked up more turnovers than assists. For a four-year guard at the top level of NCAA competition, it wasn't incredibly encouraging.
That's why the Jazz felt comfortable offering Paige a contract now, even though waiving him to meet the NBA's 15-man roster limit at the end of preseason (which they'll almost certainly do) will mean losing his exclusive NBA rights. With four point guards on the NBA roster, Paige doesn't have much of a chance to make the NBA team.
Offering a contract with a small guarantee now means that he'll sign with the SLC Stars after preseason. There, he'll stay in the Jazz's structure for the time being, but will be able to be called up by any NBA team.
