The Utah Jazz and Joe Ingles Agree To A 4-Year, $52 Million Extension

Ingles becomes the highest-paid Australian in NBA history

Joe Ingles was an afterthought, originally drafted by the Clippers and cut from the roster after his last preseason game in 2014.

Then he was scooped up off the waiver wire and blossomed into one of the better role-playing wings in the league. Today, the Aussie decided to forgo restricted free agency and agree quickly to an extension with the team that gave him a chance.

Joe Ingles 2016–17 Stats: 7.1 points (45.2 percent field goal percentage, 44.1 percent 3-point percentage), 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals

Fit

Joe Ingles’s slow-but-steady rise as a reliable role player culminated in his best season so far, when he became one of the deadliest spacers in the game, hitting a Korver-esque 44.1 percent from deep. That has value in the modern NBA game.

Not only that, Jingles — yes, that is a real nickname for him, and it’s an awesome one — has transformed himself into a way better playmaker than anticipated. He doesn’t have the foot speed to beat defenders consistently off the dribble or in isolation (in fact, he may never actually do that). But what he does have, he leverages well, using a a silky, quick jumper to create driving lanes that usually don’t exist. In those situations, Jingles usually makes the right decision, whether to skip to the weakside corner for an open 3, whip a pass to a open and cutting teammate, or take the shot himself. Offensively, he’s well suited as a secondary but huge cog in a motion offense.

Defensively, Ingles will never be a closer. But he’s smart and he’s heady, almost always using his anticipation to cover up for his physical limitations. Luckily, the Jazz’s defense isn’t reliant on length from the perimeter. It’s based on smart and aggressive ball pressure and redirection, leading to Rudy Gobert cleaning up and finishing the defensive play with a contest and a rebound.

Despite being age 29, his NBA odometer isn’t far along yet — just around 5000 NBA minutes — so injuries and athletic degradation aren’t big concerns. This was a solid pickup for a team that’s looking to build off their strong playoff showing in the 2015–16 season.

Signing Grade: B