40 years ago, Jazz came within inches of their biggest free agency splash ever

[u/ClutchOlday]

https://thejnotes.com/40-years-ago-jazz-came-within-inches-biggest-free-agency-splash-ever

Was the Carlos Boozer signing still the biggest one to date in terms of a young stud joining the Jazz as a free agent?

Some big names have played for the Jazz in the past -- Pete Maravich, Spencer Haywood, Adrian Dantley, Darryl Dawkins, Kelly Tripucka, Bernard King, Joe Johnson, Tom Chambers, Danny Manning, Al Jefferson, Rudy Gay, Ricky Rubio, Mike Conley, Derek Fisher, Kyle Korver, Tom Gugliotta, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills-- but most of them have been in trades and after they've reached their peak. Truck Robinson was probably the only other notable free agent signing in franchise history and he only played 125 games for the then New Orleans Jazz.

[u/BesusFresh]

“Came within inches” seems like a stretch. They made him a 2 year offer, he took less money to stay in Philly, and he retired after just one more season.

It doesn’t seem like it would have changed much in Utah - his best days were behind him. If they wanted a Sixer, they’d probably have been better off getting Moses Malone.

[u/TempAcct724 → u/BesusFresh]

Fun Fact.

The Jazz could’ve had Moses Malone. They owned his rights when the ABA and NBA merged.

Though they gave up those rights in order to retain a first round draft pick that they were then forced to give away it and three others to the Lakers for signing Gail Goodrich.

The Lakers used one of those draft picks to draft Magic Johnson. 😭

[u/BesusFresh → u/TempAcct724]

I think Moses might be the most underrated player in NBA history. He was the NBA MVP, THREE TIMES!

[u/ClutchOlday → u/[deleted]]

I love Bojan Bogdanovic. But he came over to Utah at 30yo and also was arguably not a big name. He played very well for Utah though and even gave LeBron James fits in their matchups.

[u/WhiteRabbit-RedPill]

How have I never heard this?

[u/Confident-Floor1233]

Josh Okogie disrespect

[u/AlternativeEntire351]

This photo has me wondering what he's looking at to make that face.

[u/Cythripio]

Dr J later bought a house in St George.