Yesterday, the Utah Jazz announced the signing of forwards Chris Johnson and Jack Cooley to multi-year deals. No details of the deals were made available to the media. Both deals are non-guaranteed.
Chris Johnson, who stands at 6′-6″ tall, is an undersized forward out of Dayton University who has 2 years of experience in the NBA. Johnson played 9 games for the 76ers, and since has been on 10-day contracts with the Jazz. Johnson averaged 7.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. These stats where put up by Johnson in a two game period, whilst playing for the Jazz during a 10-day contract signed earlier this season.
Jack Cooley, 6-9, who is a product of the Notre Dame Basketball program, signed his multi-year deal after back to back 10-day contracts playing for the Jazz. Jack Cooley was first signed from the Idaho Stampede, where the forward averaged 16.8 PPG, 12.5 Rebounds, and 1.3 Blocks in a 20 game stint with the Stampede.
“Through my experience in the D-League, going up against players and dominating them, it’s helped me learn that I can play up in the big league,” he said last month. “Maybe training camp was a little more ‘I’m just really happy to be here.’ Now I’m, ‘All right, I’m here, I know I can help this team and I want my chance to help.’ ”
These two deals came a bit out of the blue, but seeing as the Jazz waived guard Ian Clark on Thursday, there were roster spots up for grabs, and signing two players who have been on 10-day deals is good business by the Jazz.
Ian Clark played shooting guard and averaged just 1.9 points in a period where Clark played 23 games for the Utah Jazz. He performed well in the Las Vegas summer league, earning his shot with the team, but was just not productive enough on the wing to earn a longer stay with the team.
Main Photo by Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune
