The Jazz have four players with non-guaranteed contract for next season — KJ Martin, Svi Mykhailiuk, Jaden Springer and Johnny Juzang. Will they retain any of them?
Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune examines each player’s case, concluding that their futures depend on what else the Jazz do with their roster this summer and whether they’ll have trade value if their contracts are retained. Springer, for example, hasn’t played much, while Mykhailuk has already passed through a number of organizations.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- The Nuggets have only lost four games since the beginning of February and all have come against playoff-bound clubs – the Lakers, Bucks, Celtics and Thunder. Forward Michael Porter Jr. says they have to be more efficient against the elite teams in order to win the championship. “Things that you get away with against mediocre teams are not things that you’re going to get away with against the best teams,” he told Bennett Durando of the Denver Post (Twitter link). “And I think that we haven’t done a good job this year at winning those games against some of the top teams.”
- Forward Aaron Gordon wasn’t available for the Nuggets when they faced the Thunder again tonight. He was out due to right calf injury management and a left ankle sprain, Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette tweets. Gordon left the matchup against the Thunder on Sunday during the first quarter due to calf tightness, Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman tweets.
- Mike Conley was reinserted into the starting lineup against Miami on Friday ahead of Donte DiVincenzo. It turned out to be a good move by Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, as Conley produced 15 points in 25 minutes, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic notes. Conley remained in the lineup against San Antonio and turned in another sharp performance with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists with no turnovers in 23 minutes. Conley has one year remaining on his two-year, $20.75MM contract.
The Jazz will likely do another trade or two this Summer. If nothing else they have their first, Minnesota’s, and the Clippers second. The Cav’s pick was traded to the Suns.
I’m guessing they’ll keep KJ and probably Johnny. They could keep Svi if they made a consolidation trade, to free up roster spots. Springer is a better defender than many, so he could still have a chance as well.