"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[cougjunkie]

In light of the Maynor trade, they really aren't concerned with getting better in the future, either.

I am anxiously awaiting the David Locke and Greg Miller spin on this one. Obviously like the Maynor deal this is clearly nothing more than a money saving deal and a way to get under the luxury tax. A tax the Jazz said they had no problem paying as long as they were winning.

[MarkGrace]

I think it was highly unlikely that the Jazz were going to re-sign Ronnie this summer. They moved him for a pick, which I guess is better than nothing.

[MarkGrace]

I am anxiously awaiting the David Locke and Greg Miller spin on this one. Obviously like the Maynor deal this is clearly nothing more than a money saving deal and a way to get under the luxury tax. A tax the Jazz said they had no problem paying as long as they were winning.

I don't think any real spin is needed.

Most of us overrated Brewer (myself included).

If anything we should be hearing a chorus of cheers from the AK camp that more time is available on the wing!

[Bastage]

This is probably a good trade, but the devils advocate in me says the Jazz just traded a starter on a team that has won 15 of 17 and is 3rd place in the conference and got nothing (for this season) in return. On the surface it would appear they are not trying to get better this year. Rather perhaps risking getting worse in favor of saving money and getting better in the future.

There's enough depth at that spot where it's not hurting the team. All 4 of those guys have different strengths, but they are nothing more than glorified role players.

[MarkGrace]

Originally, the Grizzies offered the #utahjazz the Lakers 1st round pick. O'Connor said no, then offered the Nugs pick, still no from KOC

That's from Locke. I guess the Grizz had 3 first rounders next year, and were assuming their own was going to be the best pick of the bunch.

Probably lotto protected, but better that pick than a pick via LA or Denver.

[Bastage]

They can't have the pick lottery protected forever. Any word on when the protection runs out?

We could have another Knicks pick situation.

[MarkGrace]

Ok, some thoughts...

I love roasting the Jazz as much as the next guy, but I have to say I kind of get this move. I realize I've been a pretty big Ronnie supporter, though I've always kind of wondered how big an impact his shot has on the offense.

Every time we play the Lakers, it just pains me to see how they guard him, but ultimately that's what every well-coached and defensive team is going to do (Lakers, SA, Boston, etc.) in the playoffs. When the opposing team can play not one but two of their wing defenders with one foot in the paint, it's just almost impossible for Deron and Booz to get the space to do anything.

Ronnie is in his 4th year and shooting an eFG% on jumpshots of 34%. For those of you keeping track at home, that is just a brutal number. He does some things well (off-the-ball cuts, for example), but the offense just struggles when you have a guy out there nobody is going to guard. I had high hopes for improvements in his jumpshot, but it's just not happening to the extent I thought it would at this point.

The other factor is the guys playing wing. If you ask me, Matthews is the guy who really made Ronnie expendable. He already looks closer to the kind of 2 the Jazz have always needed (capable on ball defender, good perimeter shooter). Then you have AK, who clearly is just more comfortable as a starter, and this opens up more time for him. Throw in more time for Korver who is just blistering the nets, and I don't think losing Ronnie is much of a big deal. I guess we can talk about Ronnie's defense, but in year 4 I thought he'd be much closer to an ace defender than he is -- again, more time for AK and Matthews and I don't think you're losing much in terms of D.

I also think the Jazz are going to make a serious run at Brook Lopez, and having another pick next year helps. If they move Boozer and commit to Sap at the four, I'm not sure there's another C out there who makes more sense for the Jazz than Lopez. And I don't think they're going to turn up a player in this year's draft that makes as much sense as well (Cousins would be close, but with all the question marks he doesn't seem like much of a Jazz guy).

Will the Nets part with Lopez? It's probably a long-shot. But the Jazz likely have serious interest and having multiple picks in 2011 to throw in with the NY pick in 2010 may help.

There have also been some (unsubstantiated) rumors that Deron wants to see a real C on the team before he signs another contract with the Jazz. I have know idea what's going to happen, but I think the Jazz will make a serious move for Lopez in the summer.

[MarkGrace]

So I think this opens up the Jazz midlevel for next year, right?

Would be nice to maybe chase a FA that could help.

[Bastage]

Ok, some thoughts...


I also think the Jazz are going to make a serious run at Brook Lopez, and having another pick next year helps. If they move Boozer and commit to Sap at the four, I'm not sure there's another C out there who makes more sense for the Jazz than Lopez. And I don't think they're going to turn up a player in this year's draft that makes as much sense as well (Cousins would be close, but with all the question marks he doesn't seem like much of a Jazz guy).

Will the Nets part with Lopez? It's probably a long-shot. But the Jazz likely have serious interest and having multiple picks in 2011 to throw in with the NY pick in 2010 may help.

There have also been some (unsubstantiated) rumors that Deron wants to see a real C on the team before he signs another contract with the Jazz. I have know idea what's going to happen, but I think the Jazz will make a serious move for Lopez in the summer.

I love the idea of a Lopez, other than Raul, playing for the Jazz.

Is that a dream of yours or have you read something about the idea? It would cost the Jazz quite a bit to pry him from Jersey.

[Donuthole]

I love the idea of a Lopez, other than Raul, playing for the Jazz.

Is that a dream of yours or have you read something about the idea? It would cost the Jazz quite a bit to pry him from Jersey.

The Jazz reportedly explored it, but the Nets wanted more of a guarantee than an expiring contract (Boozer). Also, any deal for Lopez would almost certainly require the inclusion of the Knicks' pick, and likely multiple picks and a player.

I'd like to think there is a sign-and-trade with Boozer and the Knicks' pick that could happen, but I have serious doubts.

[old_gregg]

brook lopez would be a great addition to the team. now that our rotation at the 2 will be more capable of spreading the floor with outside shooting ability, i think memo is expendable as well. the problem with trading for lopez is the salary issue; the nets are going to have to ship someone else along with him with a high salary, because his max is $2.4m, while memo is making $13m. also, he's not a free agent until '12-'13 (i think).

[scottie]

So are the Jazz now below the lux tax level?

[Donuthole]

So are the Jazz now below the lux tax level?

Yep. Meaning they have the MLE to use this offseason.

[MarkGrace]

Yep. Meaning they have the MLE to use this offseason.

If the don't re-sign Booz.

[MarkGrace]

2011: 1-14
2012: 1-12
2013: 1-10
2014: 1-9
2015: 1-9

Hmm...

With that type of protection, that pick may not come due for a while.