First thing first, the Jazz. So far in this offseason the Jazz have given up two draft picks who may or may not turn out, a trade exception worth a cool $11 million, a D-league 2 guard named Murphy, and another $9 million trade exception. What they got in return is (in order) Trey Burke (@Trey_Burke3), who in my mind will be the best PG in this draft and already a 4/1 favorite to win Rookie of the Year, and 3 expiring contracts from Golden State worth $20-24 million which include Brandon Rush (@BRush_4), Richard Jefferson (who could provide leadership and length off the bench) and Andris Biedrins (if this 7 footer plays more than 10 minutes a game, we have serious issues) plus two UNPROTECTED first round draft picks (2014, 2017) and a 2nd rounder in there somewhere.
Trey Burke will not, in my mind, be a consistent all star. He can however, stabilize a position for Utah that has been lacking since the D-Will trade. Harris and Mo are good players and natural athletes, but neither one fit the Jazz system. Dennis Lindsay thought the same. This trade proves it. It basically gave the Jazz no room to sign very many of the free agents still hanging out there (more in a minute). If Burke starts from the get go the Jazz could very well, and are predicted to, win less than 20-30 games. I'm not saying I'd be happy if that happens. I like Kevin O'Connor's idea of always building to be better. Sometimes you do have to have growing pains in order to grow however.
If Brandon Rush has recovered from his ACL tear and Richard Jefferson can muster his walker onto the court for some meaningful minutes, this team might not be so bad. I think the starting 5 of Kanter, Favors, Hayward, Foye (please?) and Rush has the potential to be dominant defensively, all the while scoring 50 points a game. With Burke, Burcs (get used to that) and Jefferson coming off the bench, I see this team as maybe a 35-40 win squad. After that, Corbin may lose his job and Lindsay can plug in someone he likes there as well.
The only issue I am seeing is Sloan and Malone, both of which have huge issues with losing to get better. Sloan would coach this team to win 50 games. I don't see Corbin having the ability to do that.
Next year the Jazz will be in a similar position as they were this year with a much deeper draft staring them in the face as well as a much, much deeper free agent pool. They are in a position of strength right now they haven't since the Stockton draft.
With all that being said, let me retouch on where some of the free agents have gone thus far. "Big" Al Jefferson signed with the Charlotte Bobcats for a 3 year $41 million deal. Good for him. Although I disparaged his game quite often (I put a premium on defense, I don't know why....) he is, by all reports a good guy. He showed up and did his job, which is more than I can say about his predecessor as the go to guy in the paint. Al, good on you man!
DeMarre Carroll (@DemarreCarroll1) was a shocker. He signed with Atlanta for a 2 year $5 million deal. I loved the self proclaimed junkyard dog. He was an animal and gave 110% every night. Again, good on ya man. I wish you nothing but success.
Here is the one that really gets me though. I understand it, but I don't like it, nor do I have to. Paul Milsap is one of my favorite players to ever play for the Jazz. He is an undersized (listed at 6'8, probably closer to 6'6 1/2) power forward who was to small to play at the college level. All he did was lead the NCAA in rebounds for four years. Paul was the number 47 pick in the second round by the Jazz and wasn't ever expected to play. He did. He lead the team in rebounds and steals the past two years. Yup, rebounds and steals. Odd combo, but he did it. When the trade for Favors happened, Paul was basically told to take a back seat. He turned around and said "Take the seat from me." With his aggressive play and ability to adapt his game, you couldn't put him on the bench. He has that never say never attitude and was willing to gnaw his way to success. He also signed with Atlanta to join DMC and Kyle Korver with a 2 year $19 million deal. Congrats Paul, you deserve it. I will continue to sport my green 24 Jazz jersey with pride!
Now on to more inconsistent things: Dwight Howard. The man makes Brett Farve look decisive. Early reports today had the Warriors as the leading candidate for the big center, where those came from who knows. Then Houston reemerged as the front runner and it was even announced he had made his decision. He was taking his talents to Houston. Within minutes he told the Lakers he was 50/50 on them or the Rockets. What? Well, next thing I read is that he's looking at that extra $30 mil and licking his lips. So D-12 still a Laker? Nope, as of now (with still 5 days to be official) he is going to follow Yao Ming and the Hakeem the Dream as big men in Houston. Honestly, if that sticks, I fear the pick and roll of the Rockets. Harden dishing to Dwight? Yikes. I'm just glad that he is scheduled for a trade demand in about two and a half years, right when the Jazz should start improving to contention.
As for the Lakers, I hate to say this, but it's better off without him there. Kobe is still the man and when he returns, they could not co-exist. It's much better this way.
To round out the Utah Jazz roster as of now:
Trey Burke-PG,
Alec Burcs-SG/PG, Brandon Rush-SG,
Gordon Hayward-SF/SG, Richard Jefferson SF, Marvin Williams-SF,
Derrick Favors-PF/C, Jeremy Evans-PF,
Enes Kanter-C/PF, Rudy Gobert-C
It looks like Jamaal Tinsley is still on the radar for the Jazz and maybe another veteran or two willing or sign a 1-2 year lower money deal for the PG spot.
All in all, I say go Hawks this year and rooting for the Jazz to show improvement, and the Warriors to lose every game. Go JAZZ!!!
