The Deal
Jazz get: Forward Boris Diaw
Spurs get: Rights to guard Olivier Hanlan
Utah Jazz: A
After agreeing to sign Joe Johnson last week, the Jazz's last remaining need was for another big man to fill out their frontcourt rotation. They couldn't possibly have expected to do better than adding Diaw, whose contract is team-friendly.
After making $7 million this season, Diaw is set to make $7.5 million in 2017-18. However, that entire amount is non-guaranteed through 2017-18, giving Utah the ability to move on with no strings if a big free agent comes along or Diaw struggles with his weight at age 34.
While the Jazz might have been able to sign someone with similar talent in free agency, they surely would have had to commit far more guaranteed money to do so.
I also like how Diaw fits in Utah's system. General manager Dennis Lindsey has long been on the hunt for a stretch big man to complement interior-oriented Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert.
The Jazz might already have that player in second-year big man Trey Lyles, but adding Diaw reduces the pressure on Lyles to be the team's top frontcourt reserve this year after the departure of Trevor Booker in free agency.
Besides being a 3-point threat, Diaw is probably the best passer on the Jazz's roster. Not best passing big man -- best passer, period. I'm excited to see how his addition boosts a Utah offense that throws more passes per possession than any other team in the league.
All of this came relatively cheaply. Hanlan, who was playing for the Jazz during the summer league they're hosting, may have factored into the team's future plans but didn't project particularly well as an NBA prospect coming out of Boston College.
San Antonio Spurs: B-
For the Spurs, this move was part of the process of clearing enough cap space to make Pau Gasol the two-year, $30 million offer he reportedly accepted. Being able to move Diaw's salary and get a prospect in return validates the Spurs' decision to guarantee Diaw's full contract, which was just $3 million guaranteed through June 30.
Because of Diaw's deal, I suspect San Antonio might have been able to get something slightly better in return, but the team needed to move him quickly -- and possibly to somewhere Diaw wanted to go.