Despite being pursued by Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, guard Raja Bell (number 45 on the Big Board) signed a 3 year, $10 million contract to return to the Utah Jazz. Bell spent a couple of years in Utah before reaching his peak with Phoenix. This is an excellent signing for the Jazz and a smart use of fiscal resources. Instead of matching a monster contract offer from the Portland Trail Blazers to Wesley Matthews, the Jazz picked up Raja Bell at a fraction of the cost. Matthews is a guy I really like but he's a younger version of Bell. So while Portland will be paying Matthews $35 million over 5 years, the Jazz obtain Bell, a better shooter and a more respected player, for $25 million less. Bell will plug right into a revamped Utah lineup and provide an edge the team has missed over the last few years. I'm still not sure how Utah scores enough points to contend for a title, but they can definitely run with the big boys. Great fit.
Grade: A-
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