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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz have added some depth up front.
Utah has agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with former Brooklyn big man Ed Davis, KSL.com has confirmed. The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Last season, Davis averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and shot 61.6% from the field in 17.9 minutes.
The 6-foot-10 Davis is a relentless rebounder (again, he averaged 8.6 boards in just under 18 minutes of action) and should be able to provide good minutes as Rudy Gobert's backup, and even playing beside him in bigger lineups.
The Jazz agreeing to a deal with forward Brojan Bogdanovic earlier Sunday meant Utah didn't have the money needed to bring back Derrick Favors.
ESPN reported that Favors has been traded to New Orleans for a 2021 and 2023 second round pick. By trading Favors, it allowed him to avoid the waiver wire and gives him a say in where he'd play next — while also giving Utah some form of compensation for what had been the longest-tenured Jazz player on the roster.
Davis can guard both frontcourt positions and should provide solid depth behind Utah’s new potent core. But don’t expect him to step out and stretch defenses — he’s never even attempted a 3-pointer in the NBA.
Davis will turn 31 this week and has played nine seasons in the NBA, including two with new Jazz point guard Mike Conley.
Davis used up Utah's full room mid-level exception, so the Jazz, who don't have any significant cap space remaining, can now only sign players to minimum deals.
