The Utah Jazz are adding another stretch-4 type to the roster for the second half of the 2020-21 season.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the Jazz have signed veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova for the remainder of the season. Wojnarowski added Ilyasova is completing COVID testing protocols prior to completion of the deal.
Free agent forward Ersan Ilyasova is signing a deal with the Utah Jazz for the rest of the season, sources tell ESPN. He's currently completing Covid testing protocol before he's cleared to sign his deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 9, 2021
Ilyasova has experienced a weird sort of odyssey this season before signing with the Jazz.
The 33-year-old was initially included in the failed Bogdan Bogdanovic sign-and-trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings. Milwaukee waived Ilyasova shortly after that deal fell through, and he has been a free agent ever since.
Ilyasova looks like he could be a tremendous fit in Utah as a role player off the bench. He is shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc for his career, and also provides a fairly strong rebounding presence underneath.
Article Continues BelowThe Jazz already have a couple frontcourt players who can stretch the floor in Royce O'Neal and Georges Niang. Ilyasova should provide added depth in that regard as a guy who fill a pick-and-pop role for Utah's scoring backcourt.
This is far from a blockbuster for the best team in the NBA, but one that bolsters the frontcourt and gives Jazz head coach Quin Snyder options in terms of his rotations.
Utah is rolling into the second half with a 27-9 mark. The Jazz rank first in the NBA in net rating, second in rebounding and third in three-point percentage.
Ilyasova should help in those latter two categories as Utah bulks up for the stretch run.