9:07pm: The signing is official, the Jazz announced in a press release.
1:01pm: Free agent center Vernon Carey Jr. has agreed to a new deal with the Jazz, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link), who reports that the agreement will run through the 2023/24 season.
It’s unclear at this time how much – if any – of next season’s money is guaranteed. Woj notes that Carey will also get in reps with Utah’s Summer League team this July.
The 6’9″ big man most recently played for the Wizards, though he failed to crack the club’s rotation before being waived last month. He appeared in just 11 games this season for the Wizards and 14 overall after joining the team at the 2022 trade deadline in the Montrezl Harrell deal with Charlotte.
The former Duke standout, who was drafted 32nd overall by the Hornets in 2020, played in 37 total games for Charlotte and Washington, with career averages of 1.9 PPG and 1.4 RPG in 5.1 MPG.
Carey enjoyed a far more expansive role with Washington’s G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. He averaged 20.7 PPG on 61.9% field goal shooting, along with 8.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG and 0.9 BPG. Utah will be hoping that some of that promise translates to the NBA level.
The Jazz had an open spot on their 15-man roster, so no corresponding move will be necessary to sign Carey.
I really liked Vernon coming out of duke…hopefully he can get his career back on track with Utah
It’s always weird when the last week of the season you get these announcements of “multi-year deals” or “two year deals” when in reality next season is not guaranteed and it’s really a two-game contract.
I guess it’s this year and next year but sounds a lot bigger deal than what the reality usually is because so many times the guy gets cut in Camp of the second year.
Just means they don’t want to lose him. And they still want to see more. It’s business.
Yes, makes sense.
He’s and old school 4. He has a chance to crack the rotation. Needs to get leaner. But definitely has the talent. Good luck
I like the signing. I could see him playing a stretch 5 for the Jazz or 4. Just depends on who is healthy and the matchups.
One thing we do know is that Coach Hardy and staff will maximize his talent in that amount of time. Every single player, including Doke now, has gotten better during their tenure with the Jazz.
Then the Jazz either give them me playing time, if they’re next on line, or they trade them as part of a package. Lol
But seriously, I see him as a Danny Angie kind of center. Both him and Samanic are skilled passers when given the opportunity. That’ll be so nice if for whatever reason Olynyk isn’t on the team next season or possibly down the line.
Your team is so much more dangerous when your bigs can make good passes. Seems to be a continuing trend with all their new bigs. That and they can hit the three.
What I like best is his power around the rim. There aren’t many guys his size in the NBA. He’ll get lots of dunks because too many players don’t want to get in the way and get injured.
The passing ability and screening alone put him ahead of Doke, at this point. Doke would need to make dramatic improvement, in that area, in order to remain on the team next year. Hard to say who would be the better rebounder.
Should of signed CJ Miles instead