Kyle Weaver has been called up by the Utah Jazz after splitting this NBA D-League season between the Iowa Energy and Austin Toros, the team announced today. Weaver, a 6-foot-6 guard, averaged 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 37 games -- 31 starts -- between the two clubs.
Weaver will probably have a chance to contribute, too, as current injuries to Devin Harris, Ronnie Price and Raja Bell have all but decimated the Jazz backcourt.
Weaver probably should have been called up much earlier this season as his December statistics were phenomenal -- 18.9 points and 7.1 rebounds while making 49 percent of his 53 attempted shots from beyond the arc -- but a midseason injury that caused him to miss all of February hindered that process.
Once Weaver fully recovered, he was traded to the Austin Toros where he'd average just 13.2 points on 40 percent shooting from the field. Last night, in a four-point loss to the Reno Bighorns, Weaver shot just 5-of-17 from the field and fouled out while putting up an atrocious -19 in the +/- column.
Former Jazz beatwriter Ross Siler noted on Twitter that he was rather impressed the Jazz would take a chance on Weaver so late in the season considering the team is currently 5.5 games out of the playoffs with seven games left to play.
I'm impressed that the Jazz, with their luxury-tax payroll, would keep spending to take a look at Weaver in final weeks of lost season. It'll cost the Jazz more than $100,000 in salary and luxury-tax payments for the 10 days Weaver is under contract. Again, I'm impressed. A lot of teams also would wait until Friday to make the signing, since the Jazz don't play again until then.
In talking to an NBA scout earlier this season, though, it's clear that -- if anyone -- Weaver is a worthy gamble.
Kyle does nothing great but does everything well. His shooting has improved greatly from his days at Washington State. He has quick hands and anticipation on defense, has a good feel for the game, and can play with or without the ball. At 6-foot-6, he can play the point and run your team effectively, but he's typically playing off-guard in the D-League. He defends the best player on the other team and simply does what it takes to win. I really like him and I believe someone will give him a chance.
Weaver was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 38th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and played two seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Weaver was the last cut by the Chicago Bulls this preseason.
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