Might be Time for a Talent Upgrade

[Coach Ellis]

I know I'm the king of the DLeague players but if you have a team of undrafted guys vs. drafted guys and high draft picks the undrafted guys shouldn't stand a chance but sometimes they do OK. It just seems to me the Jazz have an opportunity to improve things. I don't think Cooley is an NBA player. Chris Johnson tries hard and I love JIngles. But I think the Jazz have an opportunity to add three solid players and whatever else they can pick up in free agency. Heck they may be able to get a solid player too in a trade for some or all of these undrafted free agents. My $.02.

Jingles sticks. I don't see him leaving tbh. Cotton too.

Jazz can easily upgrade over Cooley, Jarrett, Johnson and Evans. Evans might stay as an end of bench guy. They could upgrade over Millsap too, but I think his value vs. contract keeps him around also. Could try to upgrade over Burke for PG behind Exum. Depends on who they can get and how they want the roster set up.

 

[gregbroncs]

I didn't realize draft position was the end all be all of talent. Maybe we should trade for Greg Oden, And Wesley Johnson. I'm sure they can be had for Millsap, Evans, Ingles and Cotton.

 

[infection]

Clicked in this thread thinking you were addressing upgrading the talent of players you discuss.

 

[fishonjazz]

Who would be giving them this head of which you speak?

Lololol
Post of the week

 

[LogGrad98]

Who would be giving them this head of which you speak?

I think he was volunteering.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Upgrading the minutes Joe Ingles used is the most clear answer.

 

[gregbroncs]

Upgrading the minutes Joe Ingles used is the most clear answer.

I disagree. Using up the minutes Trey Burke wasted is the most clear answer.

 

[Stifle Tower]

There's definitely room to upgrade the end of the bench, but the really important part of roster building is getting the top 8-9 guys you can for your playoff rotation. That should be the focus. Jazz top 6 are pretty damn good, young and getting better every day.

This!
Jazz need to find their 8 and try to keep them in the fold, then bring in vet role players and use their picks to shore up or replace as needed. I think Utah has six of those 8-9 already in Gobert, Favors, Hayward, Hood, Exum and Burks. Alec is probably the most expendable out of that group and could be dealt later on if money becomes a problem.

In the next group we have Booker, Burke and our #12 pick (I hope). Jazz could certainly upgrade at the 3rd big and backup PG positions. And then we get into the deep bench with players like Ingles, Millsap, Cotton, etc. You expect churn at the back-end of the roster (10-15).

Also need to plan for the unexpected such as bad injuries or a player deciding to leave or making himself too expensive to retain (like Hayward demanding $25M+).

But agree with Ellis...we have 6 who already are - or have shown the potential to be - "pretty damn good." It's tough to be patient, but I think the Jazz are better served by letting this roster develop another year together with minimal change and then decide if trades are necessary.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I disagree. Using up the minutes Trey Burke wasted is the most clear answer.

Probably right, but I still feel like Burke has more potential to improve. I just don't see Joe getting much better.

 

[gregbroncs]

Probably right, but I still feel like Burke has more potential to improve. I just don't see Joe getting much better.

Maybe. I don't see much room for improvement from Burke either. But I feel Joe was far better in his role last year than Burke was. And Ingles has already been upgraded to Burks.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Maybe. I don't see much room for improvement from Burke either. But I feel Joe was far better in his role last year than Burke was. And Ingles has already been upgraded to Burks.

We will see. Is it even a guarantee that Ingles will be back next year? It seems like everyone has been to Utah to workout (or P3) with the team but Ingles.

I know he isn't technically on the team right now, but neither is Evans and he is still in Utah doing workouts and what not.

 

[Coach Ellis]

We will see. Is it even a guarantee that Ingles will be back next year? It seems like everyone has been to Utah to workout (or P3) with the team but Ingles.

I know he isn't technically on the team right now, but neither is Evans and he is still in Utah doing workouts and what not.

He's in Australia spending time with his fiancé, who is also a high level athlete. She's in Australia and he's bounced between Europe and the U.S. over the past few years. I don't blame him for going back home during the offseason. Joe may have been an NBA rookie, but he's a seasoned pro at this point. I think he'll be back and a key part of the bench next year.