Utah Jazz big man and fan favorite Jack Cooley is riding off into the sunset.

The 2015-16 edition of the Utah Jazz are a likable bunch. From the team’s young core of Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert to players fighting for time at the back end of the roster, Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey has assembled a team of quality individuals appreciated in equal measure for their prowess on the hardwood and engaging personalities.

But as the franchise transitions from the early stages of rebuilding and asset accumulation to playoff pushes and the quest for an NBA title, hard choices have to be made. Being a good guy takes a back seat to things like fit, roster composition and potential.

Early last week, big man Jack Cooley fell prey to this brave new world of Jazz basketball when the team waived him. Although his time in Utah was brief, Cooley became a fast fan favorite with his grit, determination and hustle on the court.

For me, Cooley’s dismissal hearkened back to December 3, 1994 when the Jazz released shooting guard Walter Bond. Although he averaged only 11 minutes per game in his short tenure in Utah, my 12-year-old self was endlessly fascinated by the shooting guard and more than a little perturbed when he was sent packing.

Like Cooley, Bond had that je ne sais quoi that made it easy to root for him. He was a happy-go-lucky wing who shared a last name with my superspy role model, acted as a barber for his teammates and bombed three-pointers at a rate I was unaccustomed to as a young Jazz fan.

Alas, a Jazz front office led by Tim Howells and Scott Layden, as well as owner Larry H. Miller and head coach Jerry Sloan, was in the process of building the team that would eventually battle Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls for the NBA championship. Bond was one of the victims of their maneuvering.

I couldn’t comprehend it as a preteen, but sometimes the unpopular move is the right one. Such was the case with Bond, and is once more with Cooley.

Before the Jazz were able to pry Tibor Pleiss from Barcelona or draft Trey Lyles, keeping Cooley made a lot of sense. He’s the kind of guy whose energy on the court is infectious, whose toughness sets a tone–regardless of how many minutes he gets.

Unfortunately, there are only 15 spots on an NBA roster and the potential of those ahead of him made Cooley the odd man out. Still, the former Notre Dame standout absolutely has a place in the league. Purple & Blues alum and Salt City Hoops scribe Lucas Falk put it best in his farewell to Cooley—

“When you saw Cooley on the court, you knew he belonged there.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers agree. This past weekend, Cooley hitched his ride to the LeBron James train as the Cavs agreed to terms with the former Jazzman. Given their ongoing drama with Tristan Thompson, Cooley has a legitimate shot to make their opening night roster.

Bringing in a great offensive rebounder like Jack Cooley certainly seems like the Cavs may be preparing for life without Tristan Thompson. — Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) October 17, 2015

It’s funny to think about, but Cooley may just win an NBA title before his lauded former frontcourt mates, Gobert and Favors. And that’s OK, not just because Cooley is a quality guy and a hard worker, but because–once again–the unpopular choice was the right one for the betterment of the Jazz.

Still, somewhere out there, a 12-year-old kid is bemoaning the loss of a gritty player and a unique individual…and he’s probably not the only one.

Happy trails, Jack Cooley. Until we meet again.