The Utah Jazz has signed Sacramento King’s center Hassan Whiteside to a one-year deal. This move comes after the team traded away center Derrick Favors to the Oklahoma City Thunder just before the 2021 NBA Free Agency period began. Utah needed someone to back up Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and for at least the next year that man will be Hassan Whiteside. The Jazz have been relatively quiet this offseason, but this move combined with bringing back Mike Conley has them poised to compete.
Whiteside has spent the past two seasons in the Western Conference with Sacramento and Portland and remains a force in the paint. With the departure of Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert has another dependable, experienced center behind him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2021
Whiteside hasn’t seemed to ever quite find a team where he fits settling for one-year rental deals and then moving on to another franchise that needs him. It is unclear if Utah will be an exception, but he does play a style of offense and defense that may fit better with the Jazz. This could finally be a good fit despite the deal only being good for a single year. Playing behind Rudy Gobert means limited minutes, so he will need to maximize his time on the court.
Hassan Whiteside (23 PTS, 21 REB, 5 BLKS) had a BIG game against the Wizards#RipCity pic.twitter.com/je6rhrG1d5
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) January 4, 2020
Utah was the number one seed in the Western Conference last season and the goal this year will be to make the NBA Finals. A talented team like Utah doesn’t need to make many moves to stay a top team in the Western Conference. The West will be reloaded this year and the road won’t be any easier.
