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It cost Joe Ingles about $12 to Uber over from Los Angeles International Airport to his first free agency meeting.
The Utah Jazz bridged the rest of the gap between the two parties.
In his first interview with local news media since signing a four-year, $52 million extension with the Jazz earlier this month, Ingles said Utah left little doubt that he would rejoin the club from the moment he walked in the room. The first part of his presentation included a picture of his wife, Renae Ingles, and his twin children.
"It was kind of a no-brainer really," he said. "It made me think, 'They already know what I'm here for.'"
Ingles enjoyed a career season this past year in Utah, emerging as a key player on the team with 7.1 ppg and shooting 44 percent on 3-pointers (third-best in the NBA). The Australian native may have found bigger money elsewhere if he had met with other teams during restricted free agency.
But Ingles canceled all his meetings after talking with the Jazz. In his mind, his two major concerns — his individual development as a basketball player and the well-being and comfort of his family — would be taken care of by Utah. Between his relationship with head coach Quin Snyder and assistant Zach Guthrie on the court, and his family's relationship with the franchise off the court, Ingles said he didn't need any more assurances.
"I wanted to be in Utah no matter what," he said. "It's the place that got me to where I am. Whether we have all the All-Stars in the world or no All-Stars. Whether we were going to be a 10-win team or an 80-win team. I feel like Utah is the place for me to be and really help the team."
While Ingles, one of Gordon Hayward's closest friends on the team, was disappointed when he chose the Boston Celtics — "It sucked" — he also said it hasn't discouraged his outlook about the future. He is particularly excited about the trade for point guard Ricky Rubio, with whom he played and roomed with when they both played for Barcelona before Rubio joined the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He also has relationships with newcomers Ekpe Udoh and Jonas Jerebko, and he met draft pick Donovan Mitchell ("I smoked him in a few shooting games") this summer. While Hayward's contributions will be missed, he said, he is taking the mindset — and he hopes his teammates are as well — that there's much more opportunity next season.
"All our guys are going to be ready," he said. "There's minutes up for grabs. Shots up for grabs. It's a great opportunity for other guys. If those guys have the same mindset I do, we're going to be fine."
As for Hayward, Ingles said the two have kept in touch and talked since he decided to sign with Boston. It hasn't affected their friendship, Ingles said, adding: "I'll take him to Cheesecake Factory and keep him happy."
Ingles plans to deepen his own relationship with Utah. He and Renae are looking for a house in the area. Once they settle down, Ingles has ambitions to do charity work for underprivileged children in Utah by donating a chunk of his salary.
He said he was inspired by having his own children — his twins turned one year old on Monday — and dealing with some early health issues with his son Jacob.
"Once you go through things like that, it changes your mindset pretty quickly," he said. "We're going to do that, because of how great Utah has been for me and Renae, and now the kids."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Jinglin' Joe back with the Jazz
• The 29-year-old Australian officially signs a four-year, $52 million extension
• Ingles is coming off a career-best season with 7.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg
• Has playing experience with new Jazzmen Ricky Rubio and Ekpe Udoh