Joe Ingles would love for the Utah Jazz to pick up his Australian compatriot Andrew Bogut, a player that has gone from being an X-factor with the Golden State Warriors to a hapless option in the free-agent market.
Like most of his Boomers teammates, Ingles values defensive intensity — one that the 7-footer has been known to bring since the start of his run in the NBA.
“I would love for him to come over to Utah,” Ingles told AAP. “He's got a connection there already and if they want to take him I'll happily have him.”
The 32-year-old Bogut has been hampered by injuries, a big part of why the Warriors chose to part ways with the big man after four seasons with the franchise.
Bogut had a woeful stint with the Dallas Mavericks, playing only 26 games with the team before being waived and choosing to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, picking up two fouls and exiting his debut in less than a minute after suffering a season-ending injury.
But perhaps his last 12 months have been a product of the lack of comfort in unfamiliar locker rooms, where he didn't have such a prominent role or a connection that went beyond basketball.
In Utah, Bogut will have fellow Aussies Ingles and young Dante Exum, plus a culture that has clearly started with defense — one that will allow him to see just how much juice he has left.
Bogut played for the Utah Utes prior to being the top overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2006, making a return to Salt Lake City a sort of familiar ground for a player looking to find his footing once again.
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