Meet
Final thoughts
Posted by: ST Spalding on June 26th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Well the draft is almost here and the intrigue around what KOC will do is keeping me up at night 
Do we stand pat and allow expiring contracts to free up cash for future free agents? NO because we cant attract top tier players to Utah. Although we should explore signing Ersan or Novak to acquire some outside shooting from the SF position. If we trade Al, a defensive center like Thompson from SAC might fit too.
Do we trade assets (Al, Paul, Tomic, trade exception) for draft picks? NO making the playoffs (and losing out on two picks in this draft) forced us to accelerate the time line and the youth movement is now over. We have the “fantastic four” to build around. Although I would not mind trying to get Damian L at say the 10 spot if he is on the board and New O will deal.
So trades are in my mind the only real option. kOC will not take in huge or long term contracts (3 yr max). We need to round out our line up with proven back court players. The two teams that appear poised to rearrange their rosters this week are Portland and Houston.
Houston/Utah trade would be Al Jefferson and Raja Bell for Lowery and Martin. Houston needs a center and some vet leadership, Houston tried to trade Martin last year, Houston will go after Dragic , and Lowery hates McHale, plus Utah needs outside shooting and depth and free up PT for Kanter and Favors. The $ is almost to the penny and KOC still has the trade exemptions.
So with this trade:
PG – Lowery/Harris
SG – Martin/Burks
SF- Hayward/Carrol
PF – Milsap/Evans
C/PF- Favors/Kanter
Reserves: Ersan, Thompson, Watson
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=8xftuok
Portland/Utah is a bit messy. Not sure Portland is sold on Wes, so we ship them Bell and Watson and take on two extra years of Wes contract. Portland has picks and $ to redo their roster yet again. Utah gets an outside shoot and defender.
IMO our only option is to build via trades and supplement with minor free agents.
Can’t wait for Friday!!!
Replies: 10
Views: 522
10 Responses
Why can’t we trade for draft picks and keep the youth movement alive?
There is a ton of talent in this draft, I hope KOC doesnt figure if its not top 10 its not worth anything so dont make any moves. I know all the statistics show that numbers X through Z never create sll stars or whatever. But screw that, Jazz do not have a championship team with its current roster. And if you think 2 or 4M cap space is gonna get us an impact free agent that makes us championship ready your dreaming.
These are the three options:
Keep the team as is, use 2 or 4M to fill roster.
2) skip the draft and trade active players for active players.
3)or make draft day trades, free cap.space and get some picks on the way.
Why people want more rookies… I dont understand. We need a shooter and a court leader Right now… In draft I expect a 2 unit pg, so down 7 pick.
Forget bout miracles kids, use brain we have team bones and a great ones, but still kids. !@#$% rookies!!! (this year)
Has anyone noticed how many tweets Locke has put put in the last hour about Lillard. Does anyone smell a trade at 6 with Portland?
The Blazers have been our dance partners many times before and could well be again.
I’d also be unsurprised if we trade one of our guys plus the 47 to Golden State for the 7 and 52 picks. The Warriors would be crazy to not trade some picks when they have 4 in this draft and already had 3 rookies this past season.
I dont know if I am making more of this than there is but, Ive read and heard Millsap trying to extend and U havent heard anything bout Al nor Harris?? Maybe they have been informed privately that they are being seriously shopped.
Portland, Houston, Golden State, New Orleans all with multiple picks. Toronto has been said to be open to moving their pick. Bobcats want to trade down for multiple assets.
To me, I’m not sure I’d trade Al or Millsap for anything less than a top 5 pick. Harris maybe for a top 12. We’ll see.
I dont think we can get a top 7 for either. Jefferson for a pick is out of the question. His contract is just too big for someone to take on. Other players would have to be thrown in to make it better. I dont think Harris gets us a top 18 even. Draft picks have a much bigger value than the common consensus on this site.