Australian NBA hopeful Joe Ingles has found a last minute lifeline just days ahead of the 2014-15 US season, picked up by the Utah Jazz after being released by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Coming off stints with European powerhouse clubs Barcelona and Maccabi Tel Aviv, plus impressive showings with the Australian Boomers in recent off-season international competition, Ingles opted to follow his NBA dream by signing a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Clippers in September.
He underwhelmed in five pre-season games, managing just a combined 37 minutes, and was left out to dry by the Clippers on Monday some 48 hours ahead of the NBA’s season opening night.
With competition already underway in Europe and Australia, Ingles faced somewhat limited options, but was granted a second chance when the Jazz picked up the 27-year-old off waivers.
Ingles will join Australian rookies Dante Exum and Brock Motum in Utah.
“Thanks to the @laclippers for the chance to be here & meet some great people. Onwards and upwards,” Ingles tweeted on Sunday.
“Things happen for a reason. Can’t wait to team up with Boomers roomie daanteee at the @utahjazz #GoJazz,” he added Monday night US time.
The 203cm small forward figures to have a tough time breaking into the Jazz rotation where he will battle it out with the team’s young, but promising, bunch of wing talent, however his combination of playmaking ability and occasional outside shooting will give him every chance to impact the Jazz off the bench.
Utah selected the 19-year-old Exum with the fifth pick in June’s NBA Draft. Motum was signed and later waived by the Jazz late last week as is expected to join the team’s D-League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, this season and act as a potential injury replacement following a promising Summer League and pre-season.
Photo: Quique Garcia/Getty Images
