So do we still need a star?

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think there is a chance we already have our star in the making in Dante. If he can become a Tony Parker with better defense I think we are set for contention.

Let me ask you guys this, and i do realize its blasphemy: the Lakers call us at draft time and offer us their pick (top 3) in exchange for Favors and Burke, do we consider it if Russell is there? And draft Myles Turner with our lottery pick?

Nope... Favs is a really good two way player and has been key in our development and defensive identity.

 

[Revolution 9]

My personal thoughts are, our current team will be a playoff team. An actual title contender we need to add another star/borderline star to the mix.

Give me Ante Tomic, and a (cheaper due to injury) Wes Mathews and we could have something special. I say take a chance on Wes after his injury. Worst case scenario, he doesn't pan out and we still have Hood and Burks. Best case Scenario, he kicks *** and we still have Hood and Burks!

Very well said. We should make the back end of the playoffs next year. With a little luck maybe 5-6 if we stay healthy, we get a few gift wins, etc. We need another star to compete with the big boys.
Warriors have a Curry who Hayward is nice. I like to put it like this. Hayward is an all-star level player, but not a high level star like Curry is. Hayward with another player even at his level would do damage.

 

[mfree]

A real big time star would be great, as long as it did not change the chemistry of the team. I would be concerned that a big time star would command the ball too much, and change the roles of the current players.

I may be wrong, but I see this team having a lot of room to grow without big personnel changes. Now, if you have a chance to upgrade the talent, you do it, even at the cost of a guy you really like, but I am not sure the guys are not pretty much in place to get it done.

 

[sportsnut1232]

No. You don't tear it down when you just start to show you are pretty good. Especially with one of your 2 best players. Burke can go but I consider Favors, Hayward and Gobert untouchable right now. Maybe that changes later but right now I'd have to be getting Lebron or Curry to consider trading any of them. Even Lebron would probably be a no because of his contract situation.

Good points. I'm on the fence about it. On one hand, I get what you're saying and I do love Favors and think he can still turn into an all star. On the other hand, Russell could be the next Curry/Harden and we still would have Rudy anchoring our front court and we could sign a stretch 4 in free agency instead of a wing.

 

[Stoked]

We want a championship level team. For that the Jazz absolutely needed another star.

The difference between contender between contender and playoff team will be as hard to jump the the difference betyween lottery adn playoff team is.

This team will make the playoffs. As constituted they will not be contenders. Not yet.

 

[b_line]

Very well said. We should make the back end of the playoffs next year. With a little luck maybe 5-6 if we stay healthy, we get a few gift wins, etc. We need another star to compete with the big boys.
Warriors have a Curry who Hayward is nice. I like to put it like this. Hayward is an all-star level player, but not a high level star like Curry is. Hayward with another player even at his level would do damage.

Favors is getting pretty awesome on offense, and there is a chance that Dante becomes as good as Hayward. I think the Jazz are pretty close to being great. It just depends on what happens with Dante, Hood and Burks, or if they sign another borderline all star. We could very well get lucky in the draft and find another steal like Rudy, or Rudy could even magically develop into a 20 ppg scorer. Even if none of that happens, the Jazz are set to be pretty darn good for a decade.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Good points. I'm on the fence about it. On one hand, I get what you're saying and I do love Favors and think he can still turn into an all star. On the other hand, Russell could be the next Curry/Harden and we still would have Rudy anchoring our front court and we could sign a stretch 4 in free agency instead of a wing.

Favors will be an all-star next year if the NBA considers defense. He is a two way player who get his offense within the flow of what we do. Gets very few isolation opportunities. I love Russell, but there is still a chance he doesn't work and he will take a few years to get there. There is no way I'd consider this and I have been drinkin dat Russell Kool-Aid.

 

[Jeffrey32]

Can't hurt. But depends on the star and do they fit within the culture Utah is building or do they shift it? I'm thinking Anthony Davis would look good in a Jazz uniform.

 

[Nate505]

Not a star per se, but the Jazz need one more guy on offense who can consistently score 15-20 points a game. Maybe Hood can be that guy though.

 

[Nate505]

I think there is a chance we already have our star in the making in Dante. If he can become a Tony Parker with better defense I think we are set for contention.

Let me ask you guys this, and i do realize its blasphemy: the Lakers call us at draft time and offer us their pick (top 3) in exchange for Favors and Burke, do we consider it if Russell is there? And draft Myles Turner with our lottery pick?

I'd be tempted, but Favors is showing a lot, is on a reasonable contract, and likes it here. So ultimately no.

Still if they did pull the trigger on that trade I wouldn't be upset.

 

[Coach Ellis]

I like the team as it's currently constructed. There's a lot to like about Gobert, Favors, Hayward and Exum as the Core group (strong defensive identity) with Hood/Burks supporting them. The Jazz need A.) a backup center who can score and will try on defense, B.) a backup PG who won't hurt the team on either end and C.) still can look to upgrade at the wing if an opportunity arises.

The nice thing is that they're in pretty good shape to potentially add some of those pieces. Tomic may come next year, and they have Neto/cap space and assets to land an upgrade at PG. The big question becomes what they decide to do at the wing. Ideally, I'd love an Alpha scorer to pair with Hayward at either SF or SG. Burks and Hood can round out the bench if they can get that guy.

The Jazz have been accumulating assets for the potential to make a big move. I wouldn't trade any of their top 6 players, but all other assets should be on the board to chase another star. I don't know who that guy is, but they have 15 picks over the next 4 seasons as well as a $30 million salary spot next year available with Jingles and Booker being the only two guys not under contract through 2017.

Don't screw with the team's identity, but definitely look to upgrade if you can and take a shot at a star if it comes available. Especially at the wing. That's the easiest place to upgrade because it doesn't displace one of the star guys in the starting lineup.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Not a star per se, but the Jazz need one more guy on offense who can consistently score 15-20 points a game. Maybe Hood can be that guy though.

Was going to mention this. Hood has shown ability to both be a good spot up shooter and get his own shot. that is generally what people mean when they say you need a star. If we have Hayward, Hood, burks, and potentially Exum that can get their own shot I think we are fine.

I think Iso-ball is overrated. You need creators, but SA won last year without a traditional offensive superstar.