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Nets, Nuggets & Bucks interested in Millsap

Posted by: Nick Knows All on January 19th, 2013

The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.

According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, the Nets are not the only teams who’ve been inquiring about Millsap. I can’t anymore info about the Bucks and Nuggets information, so I don’t know what/who Amico’s source is for this one. Probably agents and scouts most likely.

Here’s the text about the Nets:

Though he’ll be a unrestriced free agent this summer and has been the subject of frequent trade rumors this season, Paul Millsap isn’t eager to leave the Jazz. The team has reportedly been in no rush to trade him or Al Jefferson, but when the deadline comes around, Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio tweets that the power forward could wind up in Brooklyn. Amico hears the Nets may make a play for the seventh-year veteran, though he cautioned that such a move shouldn’t be deemed “likely” at this point.

Brooklyn’s incumbent power forward, Kris Humphries, has disappointed after re-signing for two years and $24MM this past offseason, and has fallen out of the starting lineup. Earlier this season, the team was reportedly pursuing Ersan Ilyasova, who was the Nets’ first choice over the summer before they re-signed Humphries. When Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors examined Humphries’ trade candidacy, he noted reports that suggested the Nets were never all that high on him, so it’s reasonable to expect they’d go after another power forward.

If the Nets want an upgrade, they’ll probably have to do it via trade, since they’re set to have no cap room in the summer. Acquiring Millsap at the deadline could be risky, as he could leave as a free agent, but trading for him would give the Nets his Bird rights, which would allow them to re-sign him despite their lack of space under the cap.

There have been conflicting reports on whether the Jazz are more likely to deal Millsap or Jefferson, both of whom are in the final year of their deals. A month ago, Hoops Rumors readers seemed split on which the Jazz would be better off trading, and a roughly equivalent number said the Jazz should trade them both.

Sounds like speculation, but this is the first trade rumor I’ve actually heard regarding the Jazz. I don’t think the Jazz will do it, and I don’t think they should, either. There is literally no one on the Nets who is better than Paul Millsap (Maybe Brook Lopez, but I’d rather trade Jefferson for him). Plus, it sounds like they’re trying to get rid of Kris Humphries, whom we already managed to get rid of. A 3 team trade is the only way I see this one panning out, because the Nets don’t have any lottery picks this year. They traded away all of their picks to assemble their current roster.

However, the Bucks and the Nuggets are interesting propositions. What, if any, trades do you think could potentially happen with these teams?

Brandon Jennings is definitely worth looking into, as he demands to be defended, but he is very much a shoot first chucker. Still a talented player, though. Monta Ellis is an arrogant dingleberry and seems almost uncoachable, plus he’s publibly talked trash about Utah before.

Replies: 26

 

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26 Responses

  1. Dave801 says:

    It would surely take a third team to make that happen. I wouldn’t mind if Humphries came to us in a package, we will need a serviceable back up for Favors, I’m not sure Evans size will permit him to be our main bench power forward.

    It would have to be a young prospect and picks for me to feel okay about letting Paul go.

  2. Matt says:

    could have had lillard… Sigh.
    Coulda shoulda wouldas.

    3 team trade or bust, they have very little if anything that would improve our team.

  3. Steve says:

    Interesting… brooklyn definitley does not have the assets that would be valuable to us, so i agree with you Dave801, there would HAVE to be a 3rd team.

  4. Like I said, there would definitely need to be a third team involved. Millsap is a great player, and the Jazz are loyal to a fault, so they’re not going to make a trade that doesn’t make them better.

    That’s why I don’t think anything will happen. I’m sure there are teams interested in Millsap that have better players/lottery picks for us. Any team that he is on, Millsap will make that team better.

    The Jazz may not move any players this season. If they do, it will be for a key piece of the future team. A point guard or a shooting guard.

  5. Omar says:

    @Matt, I agree with you. Blazers flip Gerald Wallace for #6?!—LILLARD!

    The odds arent great, but getting into thr draft could be gold. KOC missed a great opportunity. Now we are looking at Humphries for Sap, no way. Jazz can spend a lot less on a serviceable backup big in offseason. Jazz need Millsap more than they need Al. Remember playoff experience: Al has as much as any C4 member.

    I really hope Jazz trade Al before Sap.

  6. I’d go D-Will for Millsap straight up!
    Lol, they have nothing we could use. Maybe if we get a third team involved, but then again what do the Nets have that they are willing to part with that any other third team could possibly want?

  7. Adam says:

    What about this trade guys:
    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bfxkujk

    It is kinda a long shot and I can definitely see several problems with it but here is my reasoning: there are numerous reports that Portland wants J.J. Hickson out because of the disappointment he has been and because Myers Leonard is on the bench (check out the report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1485406-nba-rumors-latest-roundup-from-around-the-association/page/7). Portland receives Kris Humphries, a big rebounder, shot blocker, and who can score in the post when needed. They also receive Marshon Brooks to replace Wes Matthews, he’s younger, more potential, etc. Brooklyn might have a problem giving away Brooks but he hasn’t played much at all and Randy Foye gives them the same stuff, they just don’t need to find minutes for him to develop. I’d give away Millsap and Foye for Matthews and Hickson. Put Hickson on the bench to relieve Favors/Kanter and Matthews starts at SG!!!

    In short, the two problems I see are the Nets being hesitant to give up Marshon and the Blazers weary of dishing out Matthews… If they can be compelled, I say pull the trigger ASAP!! Then trade Jefferson for Kemba Walker and Tyrus Thomas (amnesty Thomas)!!! Here’s what it would look like:

    PG: Kemba Walker, Alec Burks, Jamaal Tinsley (Also Mo Williams and Earl Watson) – Mo will be out for forever and I say let him walk in FA; Earl is just garbage…
    SG: Wes Matthews, Gordon Hayward (this can be changed based on who is doing well with which lineup)
    SF: Marvin Williams, Demarre Carroll (I love Carroll and though he only brings a few point per game, his hustle and intensity are dynamite!)
    PF: Derrick Favors, J.J. Hickson
    C: Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors, Tyrus Thomas (I say amnesty Thomas but we’ll see…)

    Sounds good to me but here’s the problem: the other teams have to agree :S

  8. Ben Williams says:

    Adam’s trade is a sized. Frankly, MIllsap is better than Hixon and Matthews is a little better than foye over all, but his 3pt shooting is abysmal, which is why we have foye. It does nothing over all to improve us.

    @Nick: I agree with you completely. If the nets want Millsap it will have to be a three team trade. Their assets are garbage. They have nothing worth looking at. Brooks is the only thing worth a lick of salt, but he’s not worth letting milsap go for at all.

  9. Adam says:

    @Ben, Matthews is shooting 40.7% from behind the arc, while Foye is hooting 43.4%…I wouldn’t call Matthew’s percentage “abysmal.” Plus, Foye averages 4 points per game less than Matthew’s and several rebounds and assists less as well! The only reason we are trying to trade Millsap and Jefferson is to give Kanter and Favors minutes to grow…who cares if Millsap is better!!! But let’s look at the facts: Hickson plays off the bench (Millsap won’t), he is rebounding more than Millsap this year and is only 3.5 points shy from Millsap’s average. The biggest plus is that Hickson will come off the bench while Millsap won’t…

  10. Adam says:

    Or maybe we just cut out the Nets as a middle man, just go straight for the Blazers with this trade:

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cwg7vje

  11. disco says:

    @adam – Hickson has been great for the Blazers, and from what I read the Blazers are looking to cash in on that fact before he leaves in FA. Id like Brooks from the Nets and it is unfortunate that the nets dont have any picks for the next ten years. I still think Walker is achievable if the Jazz suck it up and take a bad contract, its not like any of them are Joe Johnson or Pau bad

  12. L.K.Anderson says:

    Players eligable for amnesty are about used up. Thomas would not qualify for Jazz.

  13. @Adam, did you seriouslly just say that Hickson has been a “disappointment”? And that the Blazers want to “get rid of him”? You’re high, buddy. Hickson is their Favors.

  14. Hickson averages 12 points and 11 rebounds on 54% shooting in 29 minutes and has a PER of 18.6

    A couple of days ago against Denver he had 19 pts, 13, rbs, 2 ast, 2 blocks and just one (1!) foul in 33 minutes.

  15. Omar says:

    If Jazz did get Thomas they would be able to amnesty him. Every team can use the provision once. Jazz havent used it, yet. Theyd have to wait til amnesty period in off season.

    If Jazz have any desire to get a Kemba or Wall, Jazz are going to have to suck it up and take a bad contract. Thats nba life. I think Kemba is worth having to get Thomas (8M, 9M, 10M). Kemba with be on rookie contact so its pretty fair deal. Kemba has upside. Right now Al gets 15M, no upside, and has never won a playoff series—we resign Al (with K & F on rookie contacts)—-THAT will be a BAD contract!!! Kemba at 3M and Thomas 9M, that will be 4M less than Al and will make team better, with Kemba having upside.

  16. Guys, what is the point moving Millsap or Jefferson if we don’t land a better PG than we currently have in return?

    I’d like someone to propose a trade where we could move either Millsap and Tinsley or Watson for a better PG and backup PF in return or Big Al and either Watson or Tinsley for a better PG and backup C in return

    Example – PHO Dragic and M Morris for Millsap, Foye and Tinsley

  17. Omar says:

    This is the first time Ive seen MCW full game, and I really like the way he looks! Kinda skinny frame but he had two crucial steals and a dunk in final 30 seconds to beat Louisville.

    Kinda looks like Penny Hardaway….

  18. Omar says:

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=by37l8x

    Favors, Kanter
    Sap, Evans, Thomas
    Marvin, Carroll
    Hayward, Foye, Murphy
    Kemba, Burks, Tinsley

    Favors 35; Sap 30; Kanter 28; Evans 3 minutes.

  19. Adam says:

    @Nick, what I meant by that statement is that he isn’t necessarily a piece for their plans and that they want to move him. Look, with the way Millsap is playing right now, why wouldn’t the Blazers move him for Millsap, of whom they have already shown interest in (or do you not remember that they offered him a contract when he was a restricted free agent?). There’s a reason why HIckson has been on 4 different teams in 3 years… Why do you think that is??? And why are the Blazers trying to move him? Favors is part of our long term plans and shows huge potential, don’t compare him to Favors in the sense of their team being committed to him.

  20. L.K.Anderson says:

    @Omar: Amnesty only works with the players you have on your team at the time the rule came out. Thats why Bulls could still amnesty Boozer. Jazz have three or four players they could use but are all rotation players. Thomas could have been a star but he did not pay his dues and will probably be considered a bust..
    Last I heard Blazers want to resign JJ. Somehow it took Portland to make him blossom. With the contract he signed the Blazers don’t even have his bird rights.
    If a deal could be made I would love to have Kemba..

  21. Steve says:

    Omar, that Kemba and Thomas deal looks better & better each time i see it. I want kemba on this team so bad!

    Me and a friend of mine were talking about deals we could make to get a better pick so we could draft Ben McLemore out of kansas. Charlotte came up, we would have to give up a lot, but if we could swing a deal to get kemba and their 1st, i’ll do whatever it takes… even if it means giving up burks, cause McLemore can ball!

  22. Omar says:

    Even then I dont think Thomas is that bad a contact considering wed get Kemba.

    This is a bit extreme but….

    Bobcats get:
    Al, Sap, Watson, Murphy, UJ 2013, GSW 2013, UJ 2013 second round

    Jazz get:
    Diop, Thomas, Warrick, Kemba, Cats 2013 unprotected

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ahhebfv

  23. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz don’t make a move before the trade deadline. Mo Williams is a solid NBA player, and will definitely help our point guard position when he eventually returns to the lineup. Also, because he’s injured, his trade value is quite low right now. It’s rare a team ever trades for someone who is hurt (I guess the Warrior did for Bogut…and how has that worked out for them?).

    Evans, Watson, Bell, and Murphy have zero trade value. I can’t see anyone giving back anything of value in return for any of them.

    Carroll, Burks, Foye, and Tinsley have a little value, but would only basically function as a “throw in” to make a bigger, more impactful deal work under the cap.

    Marvin is also playing through a injury, and hasn’t had a great season up to this point. The fact that the Jazz were able to attain him for only Devin Harris, gives you some idea of his lack of worth on the open market.

    The only players that could really net us anything significant in exchange are Hayward, Favors, Kanter, Jefferson, and Millsap. If the three young guys fall into the “untouchable” category, that only leaves Paul and Al. Both guys have expiring contracts, and any team that wanted to make a move for either guy would want some degree of certainty from the player that they would resign with them. Because, if not, your just renting either of them for half a season. A number of teams around the league are already pretty loaded in the frontcourt, so we are only talking about a handful of teams who would be desperate enough to pull the trigger.

    With the Jazz playing better recently, it would probably have to be a no brainer for the Jazz to pull the trigger. I predict the chance of a “significant” trade happening is quite small.

    I have the feeling Bell and Burks are probably the most likely players that might get dealt before the trade deadline.

    I’d be happy if the Jazz went the rest of the way with what they have.

  24. Omar says:

    Half way through season and Jazz have ZERO road wins against West teams with winning records. And only 2 at home against Nuggets and Spurs…in 12 games.

    Jazz are 2 and 10 against West teams with winning records. Thats a 16% winning percentage…not good.

  25. disco says:

    Which FA are we thinking are going to say “yep I think I’ll go to Utah for the same amount of cash (insert big market team here) are offering?

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