With the 2024-2025 NBA season right around the corner, the Utah Jazz are rounding out their roster in hopes of a successful season.
On Monday, the Jazz agreed to sign former college standout Max Abmas, per an official team report. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Abmas played for the Jazz during their Summer League exhibitions, alongside their 2024 NBA Draft rookie class. Playing in five contests, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 steals per game. His efficiency was as important as his production, as he converted 44.1% of his field goal attempts including 38.9% of his three-pointers.
With that being said, the Dallas native going undrafted was largely a byproduct of his age and status as a fifth-year senior.
Though there are outliers, franchises usually value youth and ultimately potential during the draft. Players who are Abmas’s age, 23, are often signed as undrafted free agents. A few may sign standard contracts, some may ink two-way deals and many may agree to play in the summer league.
Abmas’s size also works against him. At the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, he was measured at just under 5-foot-11 without shoes and weighed 161.8 pounds. Players such as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young have similar measurables, but they’re also targeted defensively.
Regardless, Abmas is an elite offensive talent. In 2020-21, he led the NCAA in scoring with 24.5 points per game while playing for Oral Roberts. He averaged 22.3 points per game in the next two seasons. After transferring to Texas, the level of competition rose, but he still posted 16.8 points per game.
A spectacular outside threat with a penchant for getting to the free-throw line, there’s certainly a lot to like about Abmas. Now, he’ll get the opportunity to stick with a young Jazz group still trying to figure out their backcourt situation.
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