Jazz offseason blog: Jazz agree to terms with forward Paris Bass

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SALT LAKE CITY — NBA teams began free agency on June 30, and since then a lot has happened. The Utah Jazz hasn't been a major player in free agency (due to them not having any cap space), but the team has seen some major changes over the course of the free-agency period.

Here's all the news and rumors surrounding the Jazz as the league's silly season continues.

Sunday, 05:50 pm

Jazz agree to terms with forward Paris Bass

The Utah Jazz have reached an agreement on a deal with forward Paris Bass, according to a report form Yahoo's Chris Haynes.It was not specified if the contract was a guaranteed deal or a training camp offer.Bass, a 6-foot-8 forward who will be 27 when the season begins, has appeared in just two NBA games during his professional career. Bass starred at Detroit Mercy before bouncing around overseas. Between 2018-21, Bass played in the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Puerto Rico and Colombia.In 2021, he returned to the United States and joined the G League's South Bay Lakers. He signed a couple hardship deals with the Phoenix Suns last season, appearing in two contests where he recorded 6 points, four rebounds and a steal.In 14 games for the South Bay Lakers last season, he averaged 17.9 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 48.7% from the field and 34% from 3-point range.Bass most recently played for the Los Angeles Lakers' summer league team last month where he averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Thursday, 10:39 am

Will Patrick Beverley be on the Jazz? 'We'll see,' he says

August is typically a dead month in the NBA. Yes, there's the expected schedule release, but outside of that, it's usually quiet.That probably won't be the case for the Jazz.It's been two weeks since reports surfaced that the Jazz and the New York Knicks had begun trade talks around Donovan Mitchell. Yet, the three-time All-Star guard is still on Utah's roster. The same goes for veterans Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson. If the Jazz are starting a full-on rebuild, that will all have to change.So when Patrick Beverley, who the Jazz acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Rudy Gobert trade, was asked about his new (temporary?) home on Wednesday during a basketball camp he was hosting in Houston, he more or less shrugged. With so much still in the air, it's hard to have any thought on the matter."I don't know. We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks. There's a lot going on right now. We'll see when the dust clears if everything works out in Utah. Hopefully it does. Hopefully Donovan Mitchell stays and the team is competitive. If that's the case we're very excited," Beverley said.

Guard Patrick Beverley(@patbev21)on playing for @utahjazz:"I don't know.We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks-It's a lot going on right now.We'll c where the dust clears-Hopefully Donovan Mitchell stays&the team is competitive.If that's the case we're very excited.." pic.twitter.com/fDaZewNTRh

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 27, 2022If not ... well, it's clear he'd like a new home."Obviously, I have been in this league long enough. I want to taste how winning the championship feels. We'll see over the next couple of weeks," he said.Or longer, because if there's one thing Jazz fans have grown accustomed to this summer it is Danny Ainge's patience.Ainge's asking price for Mitchell is thought to exceed essentially the five first-round picks (four futures plus 2022 pick Walker Kessler) the Jazz got in return for Gobert. He's fine having a staring contest until another team — still likely New York — gets a little anxious and blinks.So it's a waiting game. For Ainge and the Jazz front office, and for the players caught up in it."I'm expecting to be on the Jazz," said Malik Beasley, who was also part of the Gobert trade. "That's my team right now. And if something happens, I'm ready to do what I gotta do."

Sunday, 11:33 am

Jazz reportedly sign Italian forward to 2-year deal

The Jazz are on the board.Over two weeks since free agency began, Utah has reportedly signed its first player of the summer. The Jazz have agreed to terms with Italian wing Simone Fontecchio, according to a report from Eurodevotion.The 6-foot-7 wing averaged 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 22 EuroLeague games with Baskonia last season. Fontecchio, 26, shot 40.2% from 3-point range. In the Spanish ACB League, Fontecchio averaged 12.5 points and 3.7 rebounds.Fontecchio was also Italy's best player last summer during the Olympics in Japan. He led the team in scoring with 19.3 points on 45% from 3-point range.With Fontecchio, the Jazz have 14 players under contract for next season.

Saturday, 04:10 pm

Jason Terry reportedly joining Jazz coaching staff

Longtime NBA guard Jason Terry is set to join new Jazz coach Will Hardy's staff in Utah.Terry, who played for 19 seasons in the NBA, is finalizing a deal to join the coaching staff as an assistant, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The Utah Jazz are finalizing hiring NBA G League Grand Rapids head coach Jason Terry as an assistant coach on Will Hardy's staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2022Terry was the head coach for the Denver Nuggets' G League affiliate Grand Rapids this past season. He began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Arizona. Terry interviewed for the Jazz's vacant head coaching spot before the organization hired Hardy."When you talk to Danny (Ainge), you understand that it's more than basketball to him," Terry told Bally Sports after he interviewed for the Jazz head coaching position. "He cares for you as a person, and I think when you have a person in a position of leadership, which he is, that's very genuine and really cares about his players, then that relationship is one of a kind."Terry won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2009 and was a key part of the Dallas Mavericks' NBA title run in 2011.Terry will join a team in transition. Hardy will be the youngest coach in the NBA after Utah selected him to replace Quin Snyder, who resigned in early June. The Jazz traded All-NBA center Rudy Gobert and have reportedly had talks about trading All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell.

Wednesday, 11:24 pm

Jazz and Knicks reportedly begin talks on Donovan Mitchell trade

The Utah Jazz and New York Knicks have started talks on a potential trade to send All-Star Donovan Mitchell to New York, according to a report from The Athletic.Such a move would usher in a complete rebuild for the Jazz, who traded away Rudy Gobert in a package centered around a war chest of picks. If Utah does move Mitchell, it will be looking for a similar — if not greater — return than it got for Gobert.The Knicks can offer a pretty big package.New York has eight future first-round picks (four of its own and four acquired via trade that have various amounts of protections) it can use in a potential trade. New York also has multiple young players — R.J. Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Tobbin, Cam Reddish — it could include in a package for Mitchell.The Knicks have long desired Mitchell, who grew up less than an hour's drive from Madison Square Garden. And the package they could put together would likely trump any other team's best offer. Miami is the other team Mitchell has been linked to, but the Heat don't appear to have the future assets (or young talent) that would tempt Utah to move Mitchell.Now, this all doesn't mean the Jazz will end up trading Mitchell; but once things are this out in the open, it's rare they get walked back.

Tuesday, 05:07 pm

ESPN reports Jazz open to trading Donovan Mitchell

On Saturday, Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said the Jazz had "no intent" on trading Donovan Mitchell. Three days later, it appears the team is listening to offers.ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that "rival teams say the Utah Jazz are showing a willingness to listen on possible trade scenarios." Wojnarowski, the league's foremost newsbreaker, had previously reported the Jazz planned to reshape things around the All-Star guard and had shut down all trade talk around Mitchell.Still, based on what Zanik said when he talked to reporters last weekend, it doesn't appear Utah's thinking has changed too drastically."I'm not trying to be cryptic or anything else, but Donovan's on our roster, and he's a very, very important part of what we're trying to do," Zanik said when asked if Mitchell was "untouchable." "You know, things evolve in the NBA, so I couldn't sit here and say anybody is (untouchable). You know, we're trying to build a championship team. But there's no intent there at all."Translation: They aren't actively shopping Mitchell, but they're going to listen to offers for him, too.That's more or less what Wojnarowksi reported on Tuesday, stating: "The asking price appears to be steep."The Jazz moved Rudy Gobert for three rotational players, a 2022 first-round selection (center Walker Kessler), four future first-round picks and a pick swap. Mitchell is younger and more marketable; teams — at the very least — will have to match the Timberwolves' package for Gobert.If they don't get such an offer, expect to see Mitchell still suiting up for Utah.

Wednesday, 11:38 am

Jazz make Gobert trade official

It's official: Rudy Gobert is now a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.The Jazz announced Tuesday it had completed the trade to send Gobert to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, forward Jarred Vanderbilt, and the draft rights to center Walker Kessler, along with future draft picks (first round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029) and a draft swap in 2026."Rudy Gobert had a huge impact on this franchise and the entire state of Utah during his nine seasons with the Jazz," Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith said in a statement. "One of the greatest defensive players in NBA history, Rudy will forever be considered one of the most significant players to wear a Jazz uniform. His love for and impact on this community are impossible to overstate. He fully embraced this state, especially through his Rudy's Kids Foundation. Rudy will forever be a part of us. We wish him all the best in this next stage of his career. Once a Jazzman, always a Jazzman."

Saturday, 12:39 am

Rudy Gobert thanks Utah community for support

Rudy Gobert sent out a social media post late Friday night thanking the Utah community for the support over the last nine years. Gobert came to Utah after the Jazz traded for him on draft night in 2013. He developed from a lankly project into a generational defender. His work ethic and love for the state made him a beloved figure in the state."Utah!!! I was just a kid from France i got here 9 years ago but i felt embraced and supported since day one," Gobert posted on Twitter. "I've grown as a man and as a player before your very eyes and i'm thankful from every single moment. Utah and its community will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you! The journey continues… Much love."

Utah!!! I was just a kid from France when i got here 9 years ago… pic.twitter.com/TKmQ6tC4dH

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 2, 2022

Friday, 03:17 pm

Patrick Beverley responds to trade

New Jazz guard Patrick Beverley responded to Friday's blockbuster trade that is sending him to Utah and center Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, by stating on Twitter, it's, "Time to take another team 2 Playoffs"

Always business. Wolves 🐺 Thank You❤️. Time to take another team 2 Playoffs

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) July 1, 2022

Friday, 01:57 pm

Jazz trade Rudy Gobert

The Utah Jazz are shaking it up — and then some.Rudy Gobert is being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending the three-time Defensive Player of the Year's eight-season stint in Utah.According to ESPN, the Timberwolves are sending back Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro and four first-round picks for Utah's defensive anchor.The Timberwolves are sending their 2023, 2025 and 2027 unprotected picks, as well as a top-5 protected 2029 pick to Utah in the deal.Gobert, who the Jazz acquired on a draft night trade with Denver back in 2014, grew into one of the league's best defensive forces over his time in Utah. The three-time All-Star averaged 14.8 points and 13.1 rebounds over his final six seasons with the Jazz.

Thursday, 04:22 pm

There won't be a reunion for Joe Ingles and Jazz

A Utah Jazz and Joe Ingles reunion will not be happening this summer.The former Jazz forward will be signing with the Milwaukee Bucks. His wife, Renae, broke the news on Twitter shortly after the free agency period opened in very Ingles-esque fashion."Sources very close to free agent (Joe Ingles) can confirm that he has agreed to a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks," she wrote. "CEO of the house, Renae Ingles, is thrilled for Joe and their family. Joe himself, is said to be very bucking happy."Joe Ingles spent most of eight seasons with the Jazz before being traded at last season's deadline after tearing his ACL.Ingles averaged 8.2 points in his eight years in Utah and shot 41% from 3-point range, all while becoming a beloved fan favorite due to his quick wit and dry humor.After the trade — which was mostly a cost-cutting move for the Jazz — there was some talk that he could return in the offseason, but that obviously didn't materialize.

BREAKING NEWS:

Sources very close to free agent @Joeingles7 can confirm that he has agreed to a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

CEO of the house, Renae Ingles, is thrilled for Joe and their family.

Joe himself, is said to be very bucking happy.#nba #nbanews pic.twitter.com/4yra9gQst3

— Renae Ingles (@RenaeIngles) June 30, 2022

Thursday, 04:08 pm

Danuel House Jr. agrees to deal with 76ers

Jazz free agent Danuel House Jr. will not be returning to Utah.House agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening minutes of free agency, according to multiple reports. According to ESPN, House will sign a two-year deal worth $8.5 million.The Jazz signed House in the middle of last season to help deal with a COVID-19 outbreak, but he quickly earned a spot in the regular rotation due to his on-ball defense and high-energy play.He averaged 6.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 25 games for the Jazz.

Thursday, 03:30 pm

Jazz waive Juancho Hernangomez

Bo Cruz is no longer on the Jazz. Or at least the actor who played him isn't.Juancho Hernangomez, who recently starred in Adam Sandler's love letter to basketball "Hustle," was waived by the Jazz Thursday, the team announced.Hernangomez was set to make $7.4 million next season if he was not waived by Thursday.The forward played 17 games for Utah, averaged 6.2 points and shot 44% from 3-point range after he was acquired as part of the trade that sent Joe Ingles to Portland.

Thursday, 12:53 pm

Royce O'Neale traded to Nets

Royce O'Neale has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets, according to The Athletic, in a sign that some rumors actually do come to fruition.The Jazz will get a 2023 first-round pick back in the deal, though it likely won't be a high one. According to ESPN, the pick will be the worst of the Nets' own first-round pick, Houston's (which can swap picks with the Nets) or Philadelphia's 2023 first-round pick.The trade ends O'Neale's five-year run that began in less-than-normal circumstances.O'Neale impressed enough at a Jazz free agent minicamp in the summer of 2017 to earn a spot on the roster, and has been a fixture in Utah's rotation since the end of his rookie year. He grew into a knockdown shooter and was Utah's go-to perimeter defender for much of his time with the Jazz.His is one of the better stories in the NBA: He went from undrafted to Europe, to a free agent minicamp and became the best 3-and-D wing on a perennial playoff team.O'Neale started 230 games for the Jazz over the course of five seasons. He averaged 6.2 points and shot 38% from deep.

Thursday, 11:12 am

Trade interest in Royce O'Neale

Most of the trade rumors surrounding the Jazz have been centered around Rudy Gobert; but on Thursday, there's been a number of rumblings around another Utah starter: forward Royce O'Neale.Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said on Spotify Live with veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein Wednesday night that the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets are all interested in trading for Utah's default 3-and-D wing.O'Neale averaged 7.4 points and shot 39% from deep last season. He's set to make $9.2 million next season in the second to last year of his deal. The final year of his contract is only partially guaranteed at $2.5 million, which makes it a valuable quasi-expiring deal.

Thursday, 10:40 am

Jazz don't give Trent Forrest a qualifying offer

Trent Forrest has not been given a qualifying offer by the Jazz, a source told KSL.com, making the guard an unrestricted free agent.But his time in Utah might not be over. According to a report from The Athletic's Tony Jones: "There is interest in working something out during free agency."The Jazz may not have been willing to give him the qualifying offer (believed to be in the $2 million range), but that doesn't mean they can't bring him back for a minimum deal (about $1.7 million) and added years.Forrest played in 60 games last season and started in six, despite being on a two-way contract for most of the season.But when former Jazz coach Quin Snyder stepped down in early June, Forrest lost one of his strongest supporters. It stands to reason that if Snyder was still on staff, the chances of Forrest returning would be much higher."One of the things that I'd heard about Quin is that he don't usually trust a lot of his younger players," Forrest said in May. "So it definitely meant a lot for me to know that he trusted in me to make plays and things like that. It was definitely kind of a big confidence boost for me."Snyder trusted the backup point guard, and it easy to see why. Forrest does just about everything a point guard should do: reading the game, passing, defending all at an above-average level.But there's a clear weakness: shooting. Forrest shot just 18% from 3-point range last season; and in the modern NBA, it's hard to survive with a shot like that.

Thursday, 10:04 am

Eric Paschall not issued a qualifying offer

It appears Eric Paschall will be moving on from Utah.According to The Athletic, Paschall has not been given a qualifying offer from the Jazz, effectively ending his one-season run with the team.Paschall tweeted, "Appreciate you Utah!!," Thursday morning, essentially confirming the report.

Appreciate you Utah!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾

— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) June 30, 2022Paschall will be an unrestricted free agent. If the Jazz had given Pascall the qualifying offer (which was a quite-low $2.2 million), he would have been a restricted free agent and the Jazz would have had the right to match any offer he received.Considering Paschall's effectiveness in spot minutes and the low qualifying offer, this was a bit of a surprise, especially when you take into account that he and star Donovan Mitchell are childhood best friends.Paschall averaged 5.8 points on career-high shooting marks (58% overall, 37% from 3-point range) in 12.7 minutes during his lone season with the Jazz.