If the Jazz have an opportunity to draft AJ, but like Daryn or Cam slightly more, do you think AJ's Utah connections matter at all? Would the FO value the possibility that he'd want to stay in Utah long term? Since Utah struggles in free agency, developing talent here & keeping it seems reasonable.
I always miss these so I'm putting my question for next week in case you see it:
I fail to see the downside for this season. If he's washed then what? We lose more games and/or he doesn't play?
Given his age it feels like there's at least a chance of rehabilitating him a little, ie Kris Dunn
The Jazz should sign Tyus Jones to audition him for next season. That's what they theoretically need next season aside from a backup C, a vet PG who can shoot but won't demand minutes always.
Is it high? I think its pretty low tbh
Discussion topic next week after the JJJ talk dies down:
How Konchar and Vince are being used by Hardy to shame the young guys' defensive efforts and attempt to turn the defensive culture around.
I hope so.
I'm worried the Ainges see JJJ more as a center and Walker as expendable. Which is valid, but I'd love the lineup flexibility with Walker.
Optimist reaction to this trade: The Jazz traded for a 26yo DPOY and gave up way less than they got for a 29yo DPOY.
Pessimist reaction: The Jazz gave up a better player in Gobert only to bring back a worse player in JJJ for most of the same value.
Initial thoughts on the trade:
Feels like an overpay, & I'm surprised we gave up the exact picks we did.
Personnel wise, I'm fine losing Walt & Hendricks.
I like the trade more if we retain Walker on a team friendly deal, but this might be the sign that he's not here in '27
This Rick Glassman podcast episode with Paul Rudd should have 10x the views it does. Just trust me:
youtu.be/1lQYK-2bfd4
I think Ace would be a pretty bad bet given how raw he still is in a lot of ways and also since we currently have other vets sucking up minutes and shots.
I'm not low on him, I liked the pick, but I think he's gonna start slow.
If in September 2024 you were told the Jazz would tank this season and then draft Ace Bailey, you'd probably think that was a very successful tank.
I think Exum has panned out pretty much exactly as was expected in 2019: he's a a decent 10th-14th man with some flaws that inhibit him from being much more.
Right now I feel like this draft is:
Tier 1:
Cooper Flagg
Tier 2:
Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecomb, Tre Johnson, Kasparas Jakucionis
It's a huge drop from the first pick, but also dropping out of the top six seems bad.
I compared SGA, Jokic, and the rest of the field in most public all-in-one advanced metrics. This MVP race is an incredibly tight two man race.
Went and saw Anyma there last week.
Do I like Anyma or even know a single song? Nope.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Speaking in part because the games won't matter in many cases, which can make it unclear what boxscores really matter and what ones don't.
In the early days of Hayward's development, he always had a big hot streak post all-star until the end of the season, which would create a ton of anticipation for his future the next year.
Which Jazzman could you see having that kind of hot streak, & should we be cautious with our enthusiasm?
Ironically I thought about putting Detroit on this list then didn't because I figured it's still slightly early in their development for them to be buyers for older vets. Guess I was wrong.
Let's see here:
• KJ Martin makes $7.97M
• JHS made $3.87M
• Richardson made $3.05M
• Bamba made $2.08M
Subtract
• Eubanks made $5M
• Mills made $2.08M
Pro-rated roughly 38% of the season left...
Jazz spent roughly $3.75M on five second-round picks? At most, we'll see if any take buyouts.
Jazz deadline grade: A-
No big deals that would have enabled an A/A+, but every small deal this week was a clear win, and we picked up assets seemingly out of thin air using only cap space.
I don't think I would. Removing protections is meaningless at this point, and the swaps are very unlikely to convey, unless you swapped with the worst of our picks which still may not convey. It's basically Walker for a late first and maybe moving up a few spots, plus Dalton. I'd say no.
I think it hinges on whether they're still in on Pat Cannaughton. He would have to be the main piece they send back along with a small salary or two.
Bucks and 76ers seem like possibilities to me.
I'll say again, that I don't think the Jazz are done. But they're getting value so far out of pretty much nothing.
Even better is that Dennis might be a guy a contender wants and is willing to give additional assets for. Plenty of worse contracts the Jazz could take on in a swap with Dennis for assets.
Honestly it's impressive that the Jazz have acquired this much draft capital in a week without sending out any meaningful players.
Each deal has been a clear win for the rebuild.
I wonder if this makes a Kessler to Lakers trade more or less likely...
I lean more likely, given the obvious 7' sized hole in the roster. But also, they have less assets now to facilitate that deal and less upside to their 1sts from the Jazz's side.
