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A Big Day in a Big Offseason
Posted by: David J. Smith on June 30th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Yesterday was one of those days that Utah Jazz fans enjoy greatly–a day chock full of news, both expected and unexpected. Here is the run down:
- Thursday night, Utah drafted shooting guard Kevin Murphy out of Tennessee Tech University and we were able to hear many interviews with our newest rookie.
- After waiting patiently, the trade for former and now current Jazz guard Mo Williams was consummated. Instead of the originally publicized three-team deal, it morphed into a four-team transaction. Utah received Williams and the rights to 2008 draftee Shan Foster; the Los Angeles Clippers were reunited with troubled, but talented Lamar Odom; the Dallas Mavericks received a traded player exemption, financial flexibility (to pursue Deron Williams), and Utah’s rights to 2008 second-rounder Tadija Dragicevic (whose lore pales in comparison the vaunted Ante Tomic, also drafted in 2008’s second-round); and the Houston Rockets jumped in, receiving Furkan Aldemir, the Clippers’ second-rounder this year. Clear as mud? Good.
- As anticipated, the Utah Jazz picked up the team option for last year’s mid-season surprise, small forward DeMarre Carroll. It was an absolute no-brainer, as Carroll was a vital cog in Utah’s run toward the Playoffs. And I imagine his contract will be minimal, offering huge value for the Jazz.
- In a somewhat shocking move, given the day’s earlier events, veteran point guard Jamaal Tinsley’s $1.3 million team option was also picked up. Tinsley was also a pleasant surprise, but with Williams, Devin Harris, and Earl Watson already on board, it was thought that Utah would pass.
- Lastly, Utah tendered a qualifying offer to NBA Slam Dunk champion Jeremy Evans, a crowd favorite. This makes the high-flying forward a restricted free agent.
All in one day. This is the start to a very big offseason. Lots of decisions will need to be made. What do the Jazz do with four veteran point guards? How do the young guys do in the summer league? How about Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors going against some elite talent in July? What will be done to sort out the perceived logjam amongst the big men?
A million questions…and it’s only just begun.
Follow me on Twitter: @davidjsmith1232
Replies: 9
Views: 1494
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9 Responses
Once Dwight Howard and Deron Williams’ situations get settled, other things should happen, e.g., Al Jefferson gets traded. Perhaps, Devin Harris might be a possibility. Would like to see the Jazz get another quality outside shooter, e.g., Steve Novak.
Milsap needs to get traded al is the better playerhands down. Maybe for a guy like iggy a guy that can do a bit of everything. Hes not just a scorer he plays d he can run the courts and pass the ball very well
All these unknown players are just fillers to make the math come out. Why they would trade their old draft choices for players never to see a NBA court is beyound me. After adding M-Will I was surprised Tinsley was kept. Four point guards???Maybe a trade chip?? Wonder if Evans will draw any interest?? I think the team Hayward and Favors is on will give team USA a run for their money..
Everyone knows that Jefferson is the overall player the problem is that Jefferson can only be affective with the ball in his hands and he needs the ball alot. Jazz already have alot of up and coming players that are going to need the ball. Millsap does not have to have the ball to be effective. He can play defense he can steal and block. He gets a lot of points by getting the offensive rebound or tips it in. He can slash to the basket and when he needs to he has a good one on one game where he can use his ball handling and elusiveness to get to the rim. He has a good shot and is a great leader in my opinion with the direction the Jazz are trying to go Millsap is the better option.
What does does Jazz nation feal about us picking up antwan jamison in free agency and we keep millsap but put him in the 2nd unit with Harris and Carrol. We would probally have to let go of raja and cj but there expendable loses. Lets keep Howard and use off the bench as well
would we also keep Al, I’m confused.
Harris to new York, for steve Novak and a filler.. Novak is a restricted free agent so it’d have to be a sign and trade, but Novak for 5 mil?? Not bad, for a player his and his sweet shooting stroke.
I hear a lot of Ilysova from.milwuakee, he sounds like a better all arounf player than Novak, he’s got a 3pt shot and rebounds.. But personally ill take a specialist like Novak over Ilysova
I really like the Mo Williams trade, and I think it’s a definite plus. Team still needs more shooters though. They might as well dangle Favors or Kanter to see what either is worth. I’d love to see the Jazz find a way to try to bring in Kevin Martin, and either of those two could do it.
Logan whats the problem if jefferson does need the ball in hand he shoot a decent percentage and doesnt turn the ball over hardly at all. I dont see a negative thing about him needing the ball in his hands. It kind of needs to be there for anyone to put points on the board.
Steve why would you choose a novak over an ererson? i was just curious erson can score the ball im many diffrent ways he just isnt a spot up shooter, he can rebound the ball and play some defence. How do you even compare the two? The only thing novak has over erson is he would be alot cheaper.