"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Locke sucks.

I really can't handle sports radio hosts that say "What I'm hearing" when the information that follows makes it really quite clear that he isn't hearing anything, but is instead just gathering information off the internet like the rest of us. Just admit where your information is coming from, what part of what your sharing is just strictly speculation, and then when you do actually have contacts that give out some decent info we'll all value that so much more.

Really Locke, you expect me to believe you've got someone feeding you information about what the Nets think about Wes Johnson versus Derrick Favors?

[MarkGrace]

Why? Babbit didnt even make nevada win the freaking WAC.

Because I think he's better than Hayward.

[MarkGrace]

from http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q87


In addition, teams cannot trade players under the following circumstances:

When the trading deadline has passed. Teams are free to make trades again once their season has ended, but cannot trade players whose contracts are ending or could end due to an option or ETO.

Once you re-sign him, his contract is not ending, right?

For three months or until December 15th of that season (whichever is later) after signing a contract as a free agent. This obviously does not apply to the trade completing a sign-and-trade transaction (see question number 78).

But there is a rule that allows teams to re-sign their own free agents for trading purposes, called the sign-and-trade rule. Under the sign-and-trade rule, the player is re-signed and immediately traded to another team. This is done by adding a clause to the contract which stipulates that the contract is invalid if the player's rights are not traded to the specific team within 48 hours.

For sign-and-trade transactions, the initial trade which completes the transaction is obviously allowed, even though it occurs right after the player is signed.

Seems like it would work to me. I just can't find a rule on dates (the July 1 and 15 stuff).

[MarkGrace]

Odds Jazz stay put at No. 9 at least 90 percent, I'm told.
9 minutes ago via web

tribjazz

From Siler.

[MarkGrace]

Detroit's no longer making calls to move up in draft and planning to stay at No. 7, league sources say. Greg Monroe tops Ed Davis on board.
9 minutes ago via web

WojYahooNBA
Adrian Wojnarowski

Looks like we won't have a shot at Monroe.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

From Siler.

If there is a consensus that means anything, it seems that Utah doesn't think they can get up high enough to make it worthwhile to trade up, that they think someone of significant value will be there at #9 so they don't want to trade down, and that it appears they think this draft is deep enough that it is worth trading back into the first round.

Should be an entertaining night.

[CJF]

I'm not sure if that's true or not. I mean, Boozer is not a FA yet, so technically he could resign with the Jazz and be moved as though he were never a FA at all. Right?

I don't think that is correct. I don't think a team can trade a player after the season if that player is going to be a free agent unless it is a sign and trade. I'm 99% sure that the Jazz can't trade Boozer at this point.

[Jacob]

I would prefer Babbitt to Hayward.

Me too. Better athlete. Better shooter. Taller.

But I still don't like him. Not at 9. But the closer we get, the less I like anybody not in the top 6 and the more I'd like 2 1st round picks, or at least an early 2nd.

[MarkGrace]

I don't think that is correct. I don't think a team can trade a player after the season if that player is going to be a free agent unless it is a sign and trade. I'm 99% sure that the Jazz can't trade Boozer at this point.

I'm pretty sure DNF is referring to a S&T. At least that's how I took it.

[MarkGrace]

If reports by ESPN's Marc Stein are correct, then tonight's NBA Draft will begin to shed some light on the direction of Utah Jazz free-agent Carlos Boozer.

Stein is reporting that the New Jersey Nets intend to make a lucrative offer to the 2-time All-Star forward and pass on the opportunity to select Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors.

Surprising? Yes, but not shocking. Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov wants an instant winner and doesn't want to wait around for players to develop.

Instead, the Nets will draft the silky-smooth small forward Wesley Johnson of Syracuse and begin their quest for the respectability and the playoffs with a frontline that includes: Brook Lopez, Carlos Boozer and Johnson.

New Jersey is 27 million under the league's salary cap and would essentially be foregoing an opportunity to land Toronto's Chris Bosh or the Sun's Amare Stoudamire. Instead, the team could potentially go after Boozer and another top-tier free-agent, preferably a shooting guard like Atlanta's Joe Johnson.

For Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor, he's already planned on this scenario but now that it's likely to become reality, it's more important than ever for the Jazz to think big in today's NBA Draft.

The names are out there and so are the many draft day scenarios. Will Utah trade up to grab Boozer's potential replacement in Favors? Or can the Jazz get an instant impact player like Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins? Thoughs are the questions as the draft approaches.

Here's a look at the five most pressing needs for the Utah Jazz and a prediction of who they'll eventually select in today's draft.

1. Cole Aldrich or Derrick Favors?

Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech is the flavor of the month in predraft workouts. Scouts love his athleticism and potential. In a perfect world, Utah should seriously consider trading up with Phildelphia or New Jersey to grab Favors.

He's on everyone's "hot list" for a reason. Favors can score, rebound and be a disruptor in the paint. What more do you need from a power forward? He's exactly what the Jazz need and they know it. Utah has scouted Favors over ten times this offseason.

Could the Jazz trade up to grab the top power forward in the draft? They did it in 2005 to get Deron Williams, so it's within the rhelm of possibility.

Kansas's Cole Aldrich became a proven shot-blocker and rebounder with the Jayhawks. His 6-foot-11 frame would help the Jazz in middle but memories of Greg Ostertag unfairly leave Jazz fans very skeptical about this selection.

Once thought of as a top-10 pick, Aldrich's stock has been sliding as of late. Most likely he'll be available for the Jazz at No. 9, but he certainly wouldn't be a fan favorite.

Other big men on Utah's radar include: Georgetown power forward Greg Monroe, North Carolina's Ed Davis, and freshman 7-footer Hassan Whiteside from Marshall.

2. Finding a Shooting Guard

Not since the days of Jeff Hornacek have the Jazz had a trustworthy shooting guard. Ronnie Brewer was drafted in 2006 to be that guy and he never panned out. Nor have players like Kyle Korver and C.J. Miles.

The shooting guard position is a glaring weakness for the Jazz and it could be fixed, if they get lucky and the right player falls their way.

Kansas sharp-shooter Xavier Henry is the highest rated shooting guard after Ohio State's Evan Turner.

The 19-year-old has great range from beyond the arc and has an NBA body. At 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds Henry is the prototypical NBA guard, which gives him the ability to be a physical defender as well. Under Jerry Sloan Henry would most likely watch and learn his rookie season but he's got great potential.

Fresno State's Paul George has zoomed up the charts because of his 6-foot-9 frame and ability to shoot from distance. His 44.7 percent from three-point range makes him a tempting choice for teams looking for a shooting guard. However, due to some questionable character issues George would be a longshot to end up in a Jazz uniform.

Others to keep an eye on include: Nevada's Luke Babbitt and Butler's Gordon Hayward.

3. Utah Still Needs Back-up Point Guard

Utah drafted point guard Eric Maynor with the 20th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.

It was the right pick, but because of a salary dump by Jazz management Maynor was traded to the Thunder in December.

We'll the team is still facing the same problems from a year ago. Utah needs a back-up point guard that's not named Ronnie Price. Yes, Price is an athleticly gifted player who can jump out of the gym but he's a horrible jump shooter and lacks the size to create off the dribble.

If the Jazz were to trade down, they might pick up a real standout in Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe. The 6-foot-2 Bledsoe played in the shadow of a more famous Wildcat point guard (John Wall) but could shine at the NBA level.

Bledsoe needs to develop a better jumper but most scouts agree he warrants a top-20 selection because of natural athelticism and ability to play pressure defense. Nice fit for the Jazz, in an otherwise weak draft at the point guard position.

4. Life After Kirilenko Could Be Al-Farouq

The Jazz and small forward Andrei Kirilenko are in the final season of what's been a dissasterous max-money deal for Utah. The often-injured Kirilenko missed the stretch drive of 2009-10 regular season and most the Jazz's post-season. Injuries have become part of Kirilenko's M.O. over his entire career with the Jazz

He did appear in Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Semifinal but failed to turn the tide. The Jazz were swept in four games by the Lakers and coupled with A.K.'s history of injuries and hot and cold production on the court, it's time for the Jazz to move in new direction.

Wake Forest sophomore forward Al-Farouq Aminu has all the intangiblies to be a superstar. At 6-foot-8, Aminu can score and rebound and he has the wingspan of a 7-footer. Aminu could be everything that AK-47 never was.

He's definitely my sleeper pick of the draft.

5. Is Cousins the Next Zach Randolph?

We saved the best for last.

Yes, there are some NBA experts that believe this phenomenal freshman is the best player in the draft. Cousins has all the size and ability to be a superstar and some call him the best center prospect since Dwight Howard.

However, on the flipside, there's still too many unanswered questions about his dedication to the game and maturity level. Therefore, the comparisons to Randolph are easy to make.

Still, at 6-foot-11, Cousins would be the one player in the draft that could make an immediate impact in Utah. Not only would the Jazz have an inside presents at center (Mehmet Okur, who's career is in jeopardy with a torn achillies tendon), the team would be very close to matching the size and power of the Lakers.

Cousins is projected to be a top-5 pick but if GM's aren't willing to pull the trigger on a potential mistake, then he may wind up in Utah's lap.

Predition: No. 9 Utah Jazz - Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-foot-8 SF Wake Forest

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4...will-they-take

I know, bleacher report. But if what Stein says is correct, Jersey could rebuild themselves in a hurry.

Harris
J. Johnson
W. Johnson
Boozer
Lopez

That's a good looking team.

[falafel]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4...will-they-take

I know, bleacher report. But if what Stein says is correct, Jersey could rebuild themselves in a hurry.

Harris
J. Johnson
W. Johnson
Boozer
Lopez

That's a good looking team.

Thoughs are the questions as the draft approaches.

Is this publish and edit your own work over at bleacher report? Sheesh!

Edit - another one:

We'll the team is still facing the same problems from a year ago.

[Donuthole]

Is this publish and edit your own work over at bleacher report? Sheesh!

Edit - another one:

Feast on these:

Not only would the Jazz have an inside presents at center (Mehmet Okur, who's career is in jeopardy with a torn achillies tendon), the team would be very close to matching the size and power of the Lakers.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Jazz Controlling the Draft Board

By Chad Ford

With it looking pretty clear who the top 8 picks in the NBA Draft will be, all eyes are now focused on the Utah Jazz with the ninth pick in the draft.

The Jazz were hoping that Georgetown's Greg Monroe fell to them at No. 9. But with the Pistons poised to take him two picks ahead, the team is struggling to find the right fit. Among the candidates are two bigs -- Ed Davis and Patrick Patterson -- and three wings -- Gordon Hayward, Luke Babbitt and Xavier Henry.

As of this afternoon, Jazz brass still hadn't decided which direction they would go. Davis probably fits the biggest need for the Jazz. Carlos Boozer is an unrestricted free agent this summer and may not return to Utah. However, Davis has more potential than actual production right now.

Of the wings, each offer the Jazz a different look. Henry is the best shooter of the group. Babbitt is the best pure scorer. Hayward is the most versatile player of the three, but lacks strength and has an inconsistent jumper.

The team is also looking at several potential deals that could move them up in the draft or give them another pick in the mid first round.

What the Jazz do could have a powerful effect on the rest of the draft. Several teams are jockeying for the 10th pick in the draft, but are unsure of it's value until they know who's left on the board.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...he-draft-board

My money is on Utah knowing exactly who they want, but is working on making all of those players look like a possibility in hopes some team makes a solid offer to trade up to 9.

[MarkGrace]

By Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports
44 minutes ago

NEW YORK – The New Jersey Nets and Indiana Pacers are discussing a blockbuster draft trade that would send All-Star forward Danny Granger and the 10th pick to the Nets for Devin Harris, Yi Jianlian and the third overall pick, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Pacers plan would be to move up and take Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors with the third overall pick and plug their need for a young point guard with Harris.

No deal was imminent, and one source said the Nets’ interest in the Pacers’ offer was “lukewarm.” There could be other pieces added to the package to the make the salaries match up under league rules.

Sources say New Jersey has received a steady stream of strong offers for the third pick from teams hoping to secure Favors.

New Jersey Nets general manager Rod Thorn remains uncertain whether he wants to hold onto the third pick to draft Favors himself.

“Rod doesn’t love that spot right now,” a source with knowledge of the Nets’ thinking said. “He’s willing to get out of there and go down.”

The Detroit Pistons would love to get to No. 3 and draft Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins, sources said, but the two teams haven’t been able to get anywhere on a possible package. The Pistons engaged Sacramento on the fifth spot, but Kings GM Geoff Petrie wants to take Cousins and keep him.

Detroit is no longer making calls to move up and is planning to use its pick at No. 7, league sources said. Georgetown’s Greg Monroe tops Ed Davis on the Pistons’ board.

Thorn plans to draft Favors, the Georgia Tech freshman, should he keep the pick. Nevertheless, Favors is still seen as a young prospect who will likely have to wait two years to develop into a productive player. For the right package, sources said Thorn would be willing to drop down and take Monroe or Baylor’s Ekpe Udoh.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 5:38 p.m. ET, June 24

Nets sound aggressive.

[DrumNFeather]

Nets sound aggressive.

Looks like the Pacers may make a play for that #3 spot and could offer NJ Danny Granger and the #10 pick.