On the day of the NBA trade deadline, the Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls made a three team deal that involved Shelvin Mack being sent to Utah. The Jazz needed some sort of help at the point guard spot and traded a future second round pick to Atlanta for the 3rd string guard. Turns out he’s been helping out this young Utah Jazz team that is fighting for a playoff spot.
The 5th year guard has some connection in Utah. He was college teammates with star Gordon Hayward and Quinn Snyder, the Jazz head coach, was an assistant in Atlanta while Mack was playing there.
After coming off the bench in his first game for the blue and yellow, Mack has started every game after that. He is currently averaging 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, a little less than a steal while playing 30.1 minutes per game, which are all career highs. Shelvin Mack is also shooting 44.9% from the field, including 46.8% from three which is also a career high.
From Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report writer for the Utah Jazz:
The Jazz outscore opponents by 7.8 pts per 100 possessions when Shelvin Mack's on the floor. They're outscored by 6.9 per 100 when he sits.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) March 18, 2016
Utah is currently the 9th seed in the Western Conference with a 34-36 record, one game back behind the Dallas Mavericks for the final playoff spot int the West.
With the early season injury to Dante Exum Utah has been looking for a point guard. Trey Burke was struggling at times when starting and Raul Neto also had a few bright moments but with Mack he has been consistent, which is something the team was looking for.
Who knows if the Jazz will even make the playoffs. Getting Mack for practically nothing was a steal. If they do make the playoffs, maybe will see the combination of Shelvin Mack and Gordon Hayward make another playoff run like they did in Butler back in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
