Golden State Warriors: 5 Teams That Will Pursue Jarrett Jack
May 14, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jarrett Jack (2) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (22) and Boris Diaw (33) look on during the second half in game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the AT
Jarrett Jack won’t be the only point guard on the free-agent market, but his spectacular play in the postseason will definitely have some teams looking to pick up the veteran guard to supplant their rosters.
Let’s take a look at five teams who could pursue the veteran point guard.
March 18, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) is guarded by Detroit Pistons point guard Jose Calderon (8) in the first quarter at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons will lose point guards Jose Calderon and Will Bynum to free agency next year, and will be $23 million underneath the soft cap, so they will certainly be looking for a point guard who can fill their shoes. Calderon’s will be harder to fill, as he served as the starting point guard for the Pistons and averaged 11.6 points and nearly seven assists a game.
While Jarrett Jack’s playstyle is a little different from Calderon’s, as Jack attempts nearly a shot and half more per game while Calderon focuses on distribution, the Pistons would certainly not complain.
Apr 17, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Utah Jazz point guard Mo Williams (5) brings the ball up court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports
Utah Jazz
The Jazz will be a whopping $41 million dollars underneath the salary cap next year and have the lowest guaranteed salary in the league for the 2013-2014 season. This means they could make a high bid for Jack, high enough that the Warriors’ financial inflexibilities could mean they would have to fold on Jack.
With Mo Williams entering free agency, the Jazz will be looking to find someone who could replace the starting point guard. The Jazz could see Jack as the final piece of the puzzle to push them into the playoffs.
May 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks point guard Devin Harris (34) shoots a three in the first quarter of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks will lose All-Star Devin Harris to free agency next year and could potentially lose restricted free agent Jeff Teague if they cannot match an offer from another team.
Assuming they lose just Harris, the Hawks will need another off-the-bench point guard, and Sixth Man of the Year contender Jack has shown he is capable of doing just that.
In the unlikely case that the Hawks also lose Teague, they will be looking even more to Jack, potentially to take a starting role in their offense. In either scenario, the Hawks will undoubtedly be interested.
Apr 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Darren Collison (4) drives against New Orleans Hornets forward Al-Farouq Aminu (0) at American Airlines Center. The Mavs beat the Hornets 99-87. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks’ point guard Darren Collison will be a restricted free agent in the 2013-14 season, and they might be looking to upgrade to Jack. The Mavs will be nearly $31 million under the salary cap next year, and while they might be able to match offers for Collison, they would undoubtedly rather have Jack, as he could the Mavericks a dependable offensive option and someone who could take weight off the aging Dirk Nowitzki.
Jack is clearly the superior to Mike James, Jared Cunningham and Rodrigue Beaubois, and the 29-year-old point guard would relish an opportunity to play in the starting position.
May 13, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Nate Robinson (2) dribbles the ball against Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers (15) during the second half at the United Center. Miami defeats Chicago 88-65. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are bound to lose point guard Nate Robinson to unrestricted free agency and there is no player who matches his profile more than Jack, who would be be able to come off the bench for MVP Derrick Rose and still match Robinson’s instant-offense type play that he displayed in the playoffs.
Jack could be perfect counterpoint as a veteran to the young Marquis Teague and serve as a sort of mentor to the younger point guard. Though the Bulls are slightly more unlikely than the other teams, as they will already be over the tax cap next year, they will no doubt have at least some interest in Jarrett Jack.