That sounds promising. Who are the prospects for the MLE?
It all depends on how willing they are to hit the luxury tax. They have 18 million dollars now before they hit it. Let's say they sign Jordan Clarkson for $15 million per season - that's a pretty reasonable contract for a guy who averages over 15 ppg. And regularly is your whole bench scoring. (Joe Ingles is contracted for $12 per season).
That leaves Utah with 3 million dollars in cap space - maybe/maybe not - it might take the whole 18 to keep Clarkson. (They could potentially sign him for more, but... I doubt another team offers him over 18 per season - and he may go for as low as 12M - there are only 6 teams in the NBA right now with ANY cap space). The thing I don't know is if the Jazz could combine any left over cap space with the MLE - like say they get Jordan for 15, can they add the 3 left over to the 9M MLE and sign someone for 12M?
So anyways, then you have the MLE to use also (9.3 M) and could be used on players like:
* Joe Harris - will probably get a big offer from Atlanta, but maybe he'd rather win?
* Moe Harkless - 6'7" SF/PF but with a 7'2 wingspan - good defender, and shot 37% from 3 a season ago with the Clippers - did worse last year w Knicks
* Derrick Jones Jr. - hustle player - think a young DeMarre Carroll
* Jae Crowder - fan favorite, but I doubt Miami lets him go anywhere.
* Justin Holiday - plays hard D, and hits 40% from 3. He's a journeyman, but at 31 might want to win or get his last big contract, but he's a 3 and D guy - should be plug n play with Utah's system.
This year is going to be extra TRICKY - one because of the abbreviated time line, and two because there are only 6 teams with cap space, very little money for free agents, and you will probably see some RESTRICTED free agents get deals that are going to force teams into tough decisions. That almost never happens, and normally RFA means you don't even make them an offer, but last year everyone thought it was their window with the Warriors being out and spent as much as possible. So, they might be more reluctant to match RFA contracts, and we may see more RFAs get deals with new teams. Should be. a wild ride.