Utah Jazz middle Damian Jones is given a side-five after scoring in opposition to Denver at Vivint Area in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
Los Angeles Lakers ahead Anthony Davis and Utah Jazz middle Damian Jones attain for a rebound throughout recreation Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Salt Lake Metropolis. Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Editor’s notice: Fourth in a sequence evaluating and grading each participant that was on the Jazz’s ultimate 2022-23 roster.
The Utah Jazz have 4 gamers which have participant choices for the 2023-24 season — Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Damian Jones and Rudy Homosexual. Out of these 4, there was one participant, who throughout exit interviews appeared extra sure about his future than the others.
Damian Jones — Grade: B+
The Jazz acquired Jones from the Los Angeles Lakers within the commerce deadline deal that despatched Mike Conley to the Minnesota Timberwolves. That evening, Jones rapidly made his solution to Utah then joined the crew in New York the place they have been persevering with a four-game street journey.
Jones’ first minutes with the Jazz got here within the ultimate recreation of that journey, in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies.
That evening, Jones performed simply seven minutes, 40 seconds and completed the sport a +10 in boxscore plus-minus with seven factors and two rebounds. That’s all it took — 7:40 to see that Jones ought to be getting backup middle minutes forward of Udoka Azubuike.
Jones’ worth although wasn’t nearly being higher than the subsequent man on the depth chart. With rookie Walker Kessler cementing himself because the beginning middle of the longer term for the Jazz, it was simple to consider the skillset that Jones provides as a solution to fill in some intriguing gaps.
Whereas Jones can play a extra conventional drop-big type, he rapidly confirmed that he can deal with himself on the perimeter and in switching conditions and the Jazz teaching employees appreciated that versatility. These are going to be issues that Jones continues to deal with as he works by means of this offseason.
“They need me to do a whole lot of switching,” Jones stated. “With the ability to swap one by means of 5, sustaining and conserving my man in entrance of me but in addition have a presence on the rim. Simply conserving that in thoughts after which simply doing what we have to do offensively. Seeing what Walker’s been doing and making an attempt to comply with swimsuit however create my very own aspect.”
Although Jones is 27 years previous, he performs extra like a 24-year-old, which has its ups and downs. He’s agile and hungry and bouncy and strikes actually quick each laterally and on lengthy closeouts. However he’s additionally vulnerable to fouling.
The issues that somebody may need about Jones’ recreation principally revolve round fouls and with the ability to play robust within the put up. That’s a troublesome stability for anyone at that place — play bodily on each side of the ball with out fouling — nevertheless it’s one that may be discovered and refined.
Offensively, Jones has confirmed that he can stretch the ground and is a stable finisher. He shot an unbelievable 71.4% from 3-point vary with the Jazz and extremely that was his capturing proportion from in all places else on the courtroom as effectively. And whereas he isn’t a quantity shooter and no person is anticipating him to maintain such a excessive capturing proportion from deep, he's dependable and seemingly getting higher every single day.
Jones stated that it’s doubtless he’ll be again in Utah subsequent season and is keen to choose up his $2.5 million participant possibility. What his position may appear to be is much less sure.
If the Jazz don’t draft a middle or go after one other one in free company or get one in a commerce, the middle rotation may find yourself being a mixture of Kessler, Jones and Kelly Olynyk. You could possibly positively do lots worse, particularly contemplating the team-friendly contract that Jones will likely be on.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead Anthony Davis and Utah Jazz middle Damian Jones attain for a rebound throughout recreation Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Rick Bowmer, Related Press