If that day were today...
Players under contract for the 2011-12 team
Mehmet Okur
Devin Harris
Paul Milsap
Derrick Favors
CJ Miles
Raja Bell
Gordon Hayward
Jeremy Evans
Enes Kanter
Alec Burks
"Got it. Got it. Need it. Got it."
Got it. - The Jazz have five players that play the 4, the 5, or both. Utah DOES NOT have a need for another big man unless they trade a few away.
Got it. - Utah has youth. A lot of youth! The Jazz are rebuilding, but additional youth is not needed... again, unless a trade takes a few young guys away first.
Need it. - Devin Harris is a point guard. He is a good point guard. In fact I think with some stability and confidence he can be a really good point guard (no, not as good as 8).
That being said, as of right now... he is the only point guard on the roster! That would constitute a need. Utah needs a back up PG that can eat up a good amount of minutes.
Got it. - Wing players. Utah has two that really should be exciting. The problem is one of them is a rookie (Burks), and the other one is a 2nd year guy (Hayward).
C.J. Miles, another wing the Jazz have under contract, will be looking to solidify himself as a good option while the youth movement cuts it's teeth. The hope that CJ will become something substationally more than he currently is, is over. On the other hand, the hope and educated guess that he will be much more consistent in the future is very much alive, and acceptable. He will solidify himself as a good rotation wing, and a legitimate defender. I like C.J., and see him as one of the better options in the league as a mid to high minute rotation player at wing.
Raja Bell will be better the next time he sees the court. I don't see how couldn't be, coming off one of the poorest seasons not only in his career, but in the entire league last season.
I also believe that this "improved" season will be on a different team.
So this "Got it" is more like a "I think I got it." - better hold onto what you got, and keep an eye on a few free agents.
Free agents that could fill a need
A young but experienced PG that could play a large amount of minutes if needed. He has a "good enough" 3-pt shot, and can lead the a team while Harris gets his breath. I like him, and think he can push the tempo.
Odds are he is going to get a big contract as the starting PG somewhere (LAKERS?), but if he is available, he will push Harris. His energy is priceless. Long shot for sure.
Brown is an athlete first, and a basketball player second. That's why he is not a true PG. He can play the position well enough, while scoring and pushing the tempo. He would be one of my top targets if I was K.O.C. I think he makes just about any team harder to beat.
"Trader Jazz"
If Utah is looking to cut the fat, a healthy trade might be just the diet.
Option 1 : Go get a PG
Gibson is a competitor, and is skilled enough to challenge Harris for the starting PG spot. Casspi is a STEAL at that price, and brings a high level of intelligent play. Long shot that the Cavs run with this... unless a 2nd round draft pick is thrown in?
Option 2 : A lot of Jazz fans wont like this one
Paul Milsap is an underrated PF... but he's also undersized. Jordan Hill does not have anywhere near the offensive skill set Paul does, but he is a better interior defender and a lot taller.
Flynn has become a bust... as a starting PG. But as a legit back-up, I really like what he can bring.
Courtney Lee is, and always has been under used. He is a terrific shooter, stuck behind an even better shooter in Kevin Martin. What he does bring, besides a high 3pt. percentage, is a surprisingly rigid defense.
This trade brings depth to every position, and in Lee, a possible starter. It also frees up more time for Derrick and Enes... this trade works if those two new draft picks are as special as Jazz fans hope they are.
So if the Lockout has ended in a secret meeting while I have been pecking away on these keys, look for one, some, all, or none of these things to happen!
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