Jazz adding Randy Foye to the Mix

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Jazz adding Randy Foye to the Mix

Posted by: David J. Smith on July 23rd, 2012

The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.

The NBA off-season continues to intrigue. ESPN’s (and Utah Jazz fans’ favorite reporter) Ric Bucher broke the news that the Utah Jazz have signed guard Randy Foye to a one-year contract.

Here’s a little information on our newest Jazz man: He was the 7th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and is entering his seventh season. He toiled three seasons for the “pesky” Minnesota Timberwolves, spent one year in Washington, and then the past two in Lob City with the Los Angeles Clippers. He is still just 28.

He has averaged in double figures five of the six campaigns, with his most prolific year being the 2008-2009 season where he averaged 16.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, and 3.1 rpg. He was an important bench player for the Clippers last year, tallying 11.0 ppg, 2.2 apg, and 2.1 rpg in 25.9 mpg.

Some initial thoughts:

Foye MADE 2.0 three-pointers an outing. Yes, made. Oh, and he did so on a 38.6% clip. Along with Mo and Marvin Williams, the Jazz have added three players who shot 39% behind the arc last year. This can free things up in major ways for our big guys. Here he is making eight treys against Dallas in April:
The negative is his sub 40% FG shooting. 39.8% to be exact.
Like Marvin Williams, he is a high lottery pick who has had his moments, but may not have lived up to the potential that comes with such a lofty draft status. And like Williams, perhaps he was in systems/organizations that were not ideal fits for his game.
Foye adds an interesting mix of athleticism, shooting, and offensive energy. I felt like he was a solid contributor to LA’s success last year.
At 6′4″, what is his role? He’s is a combo guard, so he fits the classic versatility the Jazz like. There are a lot of things the Jazz could do here. My guess is Mo Williams and Gordon Hayward form the starting backcourt, with Foye and Alec Burks getting the minutes behind them. I know that many Jazz fans worry that this might hold back Burks. Perhaps Hayward sees more playing time behind Marvin Williams at the SF spot, with Burks and Foye playing together. That could be a potent offensive back court.
There are 144 minutes at the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward positions. If you divided it evenly amongst these five guys, you get 28.8 mpg each.
Perhaps Earl Watson’s injury will keep him out longer than we expect. Or…
…this could be a precursor to another move, a 2 for 1 or 3 for 2 move (involving either Watson or Jamaal Tinsley).
Guys who might not be so happy right now: Blake Ahearn and DeMarre Carroll (I think DMC still makes the team, but these moves could keep him on the pine).
Foye started last year slowly, as he played behind All-Stars Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups. When the latter went down with injury, his playing time and scoring increased each passing month. Here are his splits. Like his April numbers, as LAC geared up for the Playoffs: 15.2 ppg (42% FGs, 44% 3s, 91% FTs), 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg in 31.2 mpg.
While his contract amount is unknown, this helps maintain the Jazz’s financial flexibility, as they add to the greatest collection of expiring contracts in NBA history (Jefferson, Millsap, Mo Williams, Watson, Bell, presumably Carroll).
I’m big on having good free throw shooters on the team. While he does not get to the line a whole lot, being able to hit them can be crucial.
Despite playing 26 minutes per, he only averaged 1.1 turnovers.
One way of thinking about it: Marvin Williams > Josh Howard; Mo Williams > Devin Harris; Randy Foye > CJ Miles. Kevin O’Connor has made three nice moves that improve our team.
Likewise, they have addressed some of our key off-season concerns: perimeter marksmanship, athleticism, defensive tenacity, free throw shooting, and energy.

I am eager to learn more about the move, but as of right now, I like the move. My guess is that this could be in tandem with another move. Stay tuned; heaven knows I will be.

Follow me on Twitter: @davidjsmith1232. There is an amazing community of rabid, passionate Jazz fans who talk Jazz ball 24/7.

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