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Avery Bradley makes NBA return with Jazz, but there’s a catch

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Benedetto Vitale | Last updated 4/14/24

The Utah Jazz are missing out on the playoffs this season after finishing with a 31-51 record. It was a bit of a disaster after having a solid season last year. Now the franchise is making a surprising move featuring Avery Bradley. But of course, there’s a catch.

Bradley doesn’t play in the league anymore and it looks like he’s taking on a new career. Reports indicate the Jazz have officially hired the former guard to the front office, according to team beat writer Sarah Todd. Avery Bradley will serve as the team’s vice president of player development.

“Avery Bradley is joining the Utah Jazz front office as vice president of player development according to team sources. Bradley has been around the team a lot this season and has been traveling with the team recently.”

This is a big move for the Jazz. Avery Bradley was one of the better perimeter defenders during his time in the league. He knows the game of basketball and should be able to help develop Utah’s players moving forward.

It’s nice to see a franchise make a big move like this so quickly after a disappointing season. The Jazz have some work to do and should be able to reel in some nice young talent in the offseason. So, it’s important for the young players to receive the proper coaching and development. Although the season was a disaster, there is some excitement drumming up in Utah due to this hiring decision.

Jazz’s future outlook

Collin Sexton Bob Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports

There are some players the Jazz can build around, such as Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen. They also have John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, and Talen Horton-Tucker that provide some consistency of their own.

But if the Jazz want to be competitive again the front office must acquire more talent. It’s hard to know how free agency will play out, as the top players typically sign with contending teams. So, perhaps the best method to for Utah is to either make trades or focus on the NBA Draft.

The Jazz will hope the NBA Draft Lottery will play in their favor. If it doesn’t, it could become difficult for this organization to build a contender next season. With that said, keep an eye on the Jazz as they aim to build a team with playoff potential.

Utah owns just one selection in the first round of this year’s draft. However, they do have three first round picks in 2025. The rebuild could be a slow process but we’ve seen this strategy work before. The Oklahoma City Thunder are a great example of how to build a contender through the draft. The Jazz should definitely take a page from their book.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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