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The Utah Jazz have had a fantastic offseason. They have done an overhaul on their roster, and the changes have turned them into a team that should be competing for a spot in the Western Conference Finals next season. Big names have come to Utah and the addition of those names has led to much higher expectations than last year.

There is one name that I feel is not getting the credit and recognition that he deserves. The guy that could absolutely be a make or break player for next season is Ed Davis. I think that he is the perfect addition to the roster based on all of the other moves the team has made.

Ed Davis has been a journeyman throughout his career. Utah will be his sixth organization that he’s played for sense entering the league in 2010. In my opinion he’s deserved better. Each team he’s been with has either signed him to a short-term deal (outside of his guaranteed rookie deal), or they’ve traded him. He hasn’t had the consistency and closure that he deserved, and for now, the Jazz have treated him in a similar way. Ed signed with the Jazz on a two year, $10 million deal. The situation seems perfect for him and Jazz have given him a real shot to prove himself. They paid him for more than double what many teams would have. The veteran minimum for a player with his tenure in the NBA would have been a one year $2.6 million deal.

Because of the opportunity in front of him to prove himself and earn playing time, he’s going to come hungry to show what he’s got in every practice and every game. He’s a sparkplug type of guy. He’ll most likely be coming off the bench, which I think is the perfect roll for him. He’s going to bring energy to Utah’s second unit. Davis will be filling in the role of back up center for the Jazz. There were a lot of questions marks around who would be taking those minutes once the Jazz traded away Derrick Favors to make room for all of their new additions. Davis fits the build. Not only does he have a solid 6’10” 225-pound frame that will allow him to bang with the bigs on other teams, but he’ll be able to use his pure athleticism to outjump his opponents night in and night out.

Davis’ impact will be as much on the court as it is off the court. He’s a great locker room guy. You don’t hear complaints by him or about him. Every organization that he’s played for has loved to be around him.

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Two former teammates of his in Portland raved about him after he moved on from their team by signing a one year deal with Brooklyn Nets. Trailblazers’ superstar Damian Lillard was a teammate with him for three years, and he wanted him to never leave Portland.

“No B.S. to him,” Lillard said, describing Davis as humble guy. “If it was up to me, me and Ed would be teammates for my entire career.”

Another former teammate, Evan Turner was asked about how he is a teammate on and off the court. He referred to Davis as a “consummate pro” who was “really, really, really invaluable” to the locker room.

I believe that his energy that he will bring along with his maturity will make this signing the most underrated move any team made this off season. He’s going to help blend this team of old and new teammate together. His willingness to accept a bench role, know his job, and bring energy and physicality every night will be the difference the propels that Jazz to greater heights and more success this season.

Welcome to the team, Ed. We’re happy to have you.