Utah Jazz

Report: Jazz add to shot-blocking prowess with free agent signing

Published Aug. 24, 2015 4:04 p.m. ET

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The Utah Jazz have a message for the rest of the NBA: None shall pass easily to the rim. There will always be long arms and giants waiting in the paint.

Utah's emergence as a national darkhorse for playoff contention in 2015-16 has been fueled by the Jazz's defensive explosion in the second half of last season. And that, in turn, was a product of center Rudy Gobert's evolution as one of the best defensive big men in the league. But Gobert can't do it all by himself, and Utah was in trouble when he sat last season. The team gave up over seven points more per 100 possessions with Gobert off the floor, according to Basketball-Reference.

Enter Jeff Withey, according to a report from Yahoo Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. The Jazz have reportedly signed the third-year big man to a two-year, partially guaranteed deal.

Withey didn't play much for the New Orleans Pelicans last season, totaling only 259 minutes. But the percentage of opponent shots he blocked would have been among the league leaders had he played enough minutes to qualify. He needs to work on his pick-and-roll skills, both in setting the screen and making himself available as a roll man and finisher. But with Utah's emphasis on player development, he should be a solid addition to the team's big-man rotation.

(h/t Yahoo! Sports)

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Utah Jazz

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