The Utah Jazz may already be sitting on their last offseason move.
By signing Mo Bamba to a two-year, $7.1 million deal, Utah filled out its roster to 15 traditional contracts and, at least on paper, has a complete group ready for opening night. But the Bamba contract also gives the Jazz an escape hatch: because it is non-guaranteed, they could still make room for another player before the season begins if they choose.
That would not require a trade. Utah could simply cut Bamba before opening night, take the $200,000 payout on his deal, and use the open spot on someone else. So while the roster looks set, the Jazz still have a little maneuvering room if the right player comes along.
One name that keeps making sense is Kevin Love.
Love is still a free agent more than two months before the regular season, and he has already shown real interest in returning to Utah if the team wants him back. He also fits the kind of decision the Jazz may have to make on that final roster spot: he brings familiarity with the group, can play center in a pinch, and would be in the mix on a minimum contract just like Bamba.
Last season, Love appeared in 37 games for the Jazz and logged a little over 16 minutes per night. He averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 39.7% from the field.
Beyond the numbers, Love was a strong locker room presence, and several teammates spoke highly of him. Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic were both on board with the idea of bringing him back for another season when the year ended in April.
Of course, Utah does not have to make a move at all. If Bamba looks good in training camp and preseason, he could simply hold onto that 15th spot. But if the Jazz decide to challenge him for it, Love looks like the clearest candidate.
For now, that means the door stays open. If a roster spot becomes available in the coming weeks, Love could be the free agent who fits best in Utah. And until he signs somewhere else, the connection between him and the Jazz is likely to keep hanging around.
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