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Camp Storylines: Jazz Bolster Wing Defense and Floor Spacing
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- Camp Storylines: Jazz Bolster Wing Defense and Floor Spacing
(Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
With the additions of Josh Okogie and Josh Green in this year's offseason, the Utah Jazz have made it clear they want to bring in veteran 3-and-D to aid in offensive firepower.
The Jazz signed Okogie on July 10 after he agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract. The 27-year-old wing offers gritty perimeter defense and veteran toughness to a young Jazz core built on scoring.
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Green joined the team in late August as part of the trade that sent former lottery pick Cody Williams to the Charlotte Hornets .
Green looks like a steady role player who can guard multiple positions on the floor and knock down a handful of catch-and-shoot threes.
Austin Ainge, Jazz president of basketball operations, is thrilled to add depth to the roster.
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Jazz fans should not expect either of the additions to be ball-dominant, even in the second unit.
Brice Sensabaugh and Isaiah Collier will do more of the heavy lifting off the bench. While Okogie and Green aren't asked to create their own shot, both are very reliable from behind the arc.
Green has steadily made improvements since he entered the league in 2020, shooting at least 38.5% since the 2023-24 season.
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Okogie had his best shooting season of his career with the Houston Rockets last season.
During his four-year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves , Okogie never shot better than 30%. Last season, he shot 38.5% and averaged 2.1 threes per game. With Collier manning the point for the bench unit, Green and Okogie will aid in the catch-and-shoot game.
Like other teams with poor shooting off the bench, the Jazz would be fine playing both on the court together.
These were not blockbuster moves by any means.
However, Green and Okogie have played in big playoff games during their career. With the Jazz having their best roster in years on paper, both of these new additions could pay dividends come spring.
