Should the Utah Jazz target John Wall if he’s bought out?

At 10-5, the Utah Jazz are in pretty good shape. They sit third in the Western Conference with a Net Rating of 9.38 that trails only the Golden State Warriors. It wouldn’t be hard to argue that this team’s best approach to the season moving forward would be to stand pat. 

Here, we’ll make the opposite claim, partly because it’s just more fun. More importantly, 10-5 is far from an elite record. The Jazz look good, and at times even great, but they do not look like one of the clear best teams in the National Basketball Association. The addition of a former multiple time All-Star might help them get there.

Having said that, adding a polarizing, ball-dominant guard like Wall would not come without its risks. This is a hypothetical without a clearcut yes or no. In other words, it’s a big, $42 million dollar maybe.

On the subject of that contract: we urge Utah Jazz fans to carefully read the title of this article. Re-read it if you have to. We are not suggesting the Jazz inherit Wall’s gargantuan contract. That would be tantamount to absolute incompetence. The 1-14 Houston Rockets are currently footing that bill to have Wall function as effectively the most highly paid assistant coach in NBA history.

Surely, the former #1 overall pick would prefer to get on a basketball court, and do it with a contender. The Utah Jazz could offer him exactly that opportunity in the event of a buyout. Here is the case for, and against, the Jazz pursuing John Wall this season.