Jazz Make Another Free Agency Move, Sign Heat’s Omer Yurtseven
The Utah Jazz striking out on Philadelphia 76ers' Paul Reed meant the team had a combination of free cap and roster space to take another swing on the market. That swing has finally happened, as the Jazz have decided to sign Miami Heat C Omer Yurtseven to a two-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth $2.8 million for the first season, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN.
After spending his first two seasons in the league with the Heat, the Turkish-born big now gets a fresh start in his career in Utah at just 25 years old. In the 65 games he appeared in over his first two years, he averaged a combined 5.2 points and 4.9 assists.
While it would be nice, he has yet to be much of an outside threat in his short career, making just four threes of 18 in over 700 minutes played. Thankfully, he has enough size to have upside as a defender and on the glass to merit a potential spot in the rotation. Continuing the trend of Utah adding players with good size and length, Yurtseven fits that mold completely.
Yurtseven will likely compete to get minutes as the backup big with Kelly Olynyk. Now, barring any other future moves or trades, there is a lot of depth in the frontcourt. While it is a good problem to have in terms of having options as a coach, it might be difficult for Yurtseven to develop a consistent role with the number of guys ahead of him on the depth chart.
However, that is a problem to address further down the line in training camp or once the season starts. For now, Jazz fans can view this as just another young, depth piece to add to an already exciting group of players.
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