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Do we re-sign AK?
Posted by: Michael King on July 4th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Along with a lot of fans out there, I thought the Jazz were going to go for a SF during the draft(Chris Singleton was my bet). Now that it’s all said and done, and we’ve officially picked up CJ’s option, we’re left with 1 true SF, and 1 who can play the position if needed. It’s no secret that the Jazz desperately need another SF, but the question is, do we re-up AK or go with a free agent? Out of all the FA’s the summer, AK is the best option for the price at the position. Maybe we re-sign him for say 4-5 mil? He’ll come off the bench for CJ and on occasion play the 4 if necessary.
From there our focus needs to be on who else we re-sign, and who we let go. Here’s a run down of our current FA’s and the money they made last year.
- Earl Watson-1.2 mil
- Ronnie Price-1.3 mil
- Jeremy Evans-0.5 mil
- Andrei Kirilenko-17.8 mil
- Kyrylo Fesenko-1.1 mil
Given what we currently have, I doubt there’s any question on picking up Watson, and likely Price as well. Both play well together off the bench, and are cheap. Evan’s and Fes however aren’t so clear cut. With the pick up of Kanter, along with having Al and Okur at C, Fes is likely gone. Evan’s will probably be picked up just to give us added depth at the PF. I see our roster and rotation looking somewhat like this next season(assuming there is one). I’ll be listing them in the order they come off the bench.
PG-Devin Harris, Earl Watson, Alec Burks(as needed with injuries. Price can also fit in here)
SG-Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks/Ronnie Price, RP/AB(not sure who comes in as the backup/3rd string)
SF-CJ Miles, Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap, Jeremy Evans
PF-Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, Jeremy Evans
C-Al Jefferson, Enes Kanter, Mehmet Okur
I’ve heard many rumors of possibly trading off Paul for say Hickson/Sessions or Granger, though with Favors only entering his second year, I don’t think thats such a good idea or what will happen. Lets not forget, Favors and Al didn’t play all that well alongside each other. A Kanter/Favors backup combo is much more feasible. Any comments or changes to the above would be great, and GO JAZZ!!!!!
Replies: 12
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12 Responses
I mentioned this on another post yesterday, but I’d be fine either way on AK…as long as our young guys get quality minutes (Hayward, Burks, Miles). I’m all for resigning Earl Watson. In many ways, he might have been our most consistent player last year and is a heady back-up. On Ronnie Price, I think we could use that spot to sign someone with a little more upside, even as a third PG. Ronnie works hard and gives it his all, especially on D. His jump shot induces heart burn though and his decision making is less than mediocre. I’d love to see them give Kyle Weaver a chance. Taller, younger, a little more versatility.
Favors and Al together is intriguing to me. They didn’t get a whole lot of time alongside each other, so I’d love to see that happen. As for Paul, we saw 60+ games of the Paul/Al combo and defensively, it was lacking. I’d prefer he came off the bench, filling it at the two forward spots. Then again, I’d listen to the right deal if one was presented (Hickson’s a no-go, now that he was traded to Sacramento).
too late now, gotta wait til lockout is done, and nobody knows when that will be…
but anyways i am 5%for resinging AK. too old, will take young guys minutes.
i also am 0% for resigning Price. he flat out sucks, except for on fastbreaks.
Now Earl, i loved this guy 100% resigning him. Hes a good backup, but hes a little old and slow, but he can pass and stuff. who cant forget the Early Oop
Weaver, didnt see too much of him, but what i did see i liked. Id like to resign him, but i didnt think we still had his contract at the end of the season, but it would be cool to resign him.
Bell, 2 words for ya buddy : RETIRE NOW!
everyone else, im fine with resigning even though we screwed up in resigning CJ. wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy to inconsistent. if he went to college, hed be a 2 year pro, and probably more developed, actually getting playing time his first couple years. The only reason why i can possibly FATHOM why we resigned him is to trade him. He has no value except for the 2 three pointers he hits in 15 games… 2 out of 30 btw.
GO JAZZ AND GORDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oops, i forgot that big goofy oaf… what was his name, its sorta like the Mexican guy on That 70s Show?????
oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! Fes!!! drop him now.
I don’t think you will see Fess, Elson, or Price back on the team. Evans is a keeper and should get a nice contract extention.AK has been one of my favorite players. That said when he says he wants to stay here at a discount if the dollars are there with another team he will take it.
I don’t expect Okur to come back at all.
We have 11 players under contract. Positions everyone can play
PG Harris, Burks.
SG Harris, Hayward, Burks, Bell, Miles.
SF Millsap, Hayward, Miles, Evans.
PF Millsap, Favors, Evans, Al, Okur, Kanter, and even Miles.
Center Al, Kanter, Okur, Favors, and even Millsap.
Evans is under contract, its just not gaurenteed. Being we need players and he comes so cheap while being a fan favorite, they wont drop his contract.
Price while being high energy, is 3rd string at best. He should not be brought back.
Elson, with the numbers we have and with no upside will be gone.
AK, At present time this seems to be our weakest position, or at least the one with the most question marks. If we can bring AK back for 4 mil, it should be done. He does not require a starting role, and limiting his minutes should keep him healthy. 4 mil with all that ak brings, it would be a steal and solidify an uncertain position.
Watson is a good backup, but I think we could do for an upgrade at this postition. Bringing him back would be smart but I think bringing in a more solid Piece could put us in contention. Sessions or Maynor could both work.
Fes, he is sixes. For as cheap as he is and as young, you might wonder if Kanter and Favors might teach him some game. But we dont have room to develop him. You cant teach size, could he be a trade piece.
We only need two players, our biggest need is a back up PG. A solid SF could be helpful too. Guess we will see next season, but looking above we are in good shape. Free agency could be as useful as resigning players, smart shopping. I would prefer upgrades, but that may not be possible.
Hickson was traded?? Bummer. Unless we’re signing/trading for one of the leagues top experienced SF’s, I think it’s a waste not to resign AK in the 5-7 million range for 3 years.
I’d love AK back at the right price, but sadly I think he’s gone.
I do think backup pg is a major issue, I really hope we resign earl watson.
I’d love to see AK back for a max of $4M or $5M a year. He is a seasoned Jazz veteran that knows the system. Jazz offense flows better when he’s there. Of course, we need to count on him missing 15-20 games a year, but the games when he is in he makes us longer, more versatile, and a better passing team.
I would like our PG position to look like this
Harris/MaynorWatson or
Harris/Chalmers/Gaines
no
I do not understand the idea that AK is going to be cheap. He hasn’t ever been inexpensive. In his mind going for 10 million a year is a real pay cut. There is no way he will sign for the 4-5 range, and IMHO no way the Jazz resign him.
At last year Watson was cheap also.For what he does and can do he would be the best bet. Weaver is younger and taller and has game so he might be the one.