There are a lot of factors that make me feel this way. Although I've mentioned this first point a million times already, I'm going to yet again.
Devin Harris is not young.
He's 28 years old. By the time the lockout is done, he will be nearing or past 29 (DOB 2/27/83). That is not necessarily a problem for some players as some games age well (players that are big for their position, can shoot well, and DON'T rely on first-steps or athleticism in general). Harris is a textbook case of will-not-age-well when you factor in that he's good but not great at anything besides beating someone off the dribble with pure speed. He's a plainly poor shooter off the dribble, and only in spot-up situations is he even pedestrian from 3. What is going to be left when he can't beat people anymore?
Devin Harris will NOT be the PG of the future
Appraising the Jazz's situation REALISTICALLY, we're looking at AT LEAST two years away from making any noise, and probably more than that to be legitimate contenders. By that time, Harris will be past 30 (which is when players that rely on their athleticism start to fade fast) and it will be time to probably overpay and re-sign/extend or let him go for nothing. I'm not saying Harris is terrible or will be terrible in 2 or 3 years, just that if you're tying yourself to Harris as your starting PG and spending 1/5th of your cap (being conservative) on him as he's on the decline, you're killing yourself.
Everyone thinks this draft sucks
Picks will be available for cheaper than normal, especially first-rounders. Minnesota is universally thought to be NOT wanting #20, and I've heard rumor of teams not even wanting their late 1st rounders. BUY LOW.
There are some very good prospects at PG projected in the late 1st and into the 2nd round
#20 is right about the top of the PG group that I am most interested in (besides Irving). I think Darius Morris, Charles Jenkins, and Reggie Jackson have some serious pro-potential and ability. I think these players will better balance the idea of pursuing a less PG-reliant philosophy while getting younger and allowing them to grow with the team. When you look at these stats, you see those three names in the top ten a silly amount of the time. And for a "combo guard", Charles Jenkins looks like the most complete PG in the NCAA (besides being tall, long, powerful, and not a stiff). If you can only get late 1st/early 2nds, you can probably at least get Nolan Smith still, which could probably be a nice backup down the road.
If you can parlay things that won't be a part of this hypothetical future contender into picks this year, do it.
I'm looking at you, CJ Miles.
Devin Harris is not young.
He's 28 years old. By the time the lockout is done, he will be nearing or past 29 (DOB 2/27/83). That is not necessarily a problem for some players as some games age well (players that are big for their position, can shoot well, and DON'T rely on first-steps or athleticism in general). Harris is a textbook case of will-not-age-well when you factor in that he's good but not great at anything besides beating someone off the dribble with pure speed. He's a plainly poor shooter off the dribble, and only in spot-up situations is he even pedestrian from 3. What is going to be left when he can't beat people anymore?
Devin Harris will NOT be the PG of the future
Appraising the Jazz's situation REALISTICALLY, we're looking at AT LEAST two years away from making any noise, and probably more than that to be legitimate contenders. By that time, Harris will be past 30 (which is when players that rely on their athleticism start to fade fast) and it will be time to probably overpay and re-sign/extend or let him go for nothing. I'm not saying Harris is terrible or will be terrible in 2 or 3 years, just that if you're tying yourself to Harris as your starting PG and spending 1/5th of your cap (being conservative) on him as he's on the decline, you're killing yourself.
Everyone thinks this draft sucks
Picks will be available for cheaper than normal, especially first-rounders. Minnesota is universally thought to be NOT wanting #20, and I've heard rumor of teams not even wanting their late 1st rounders. BUY LOW.
There are some very good prospects at PG projected in the late 1st and into the 2nd round
#20 is right about the top of the PG group that I am most interested in (besides Irving). I think Darius Morris, Charles Jenkins, and Reggie Jackson have some serious pro-potential and ability. I think these players will better balance the idea of pursuing a less PG-reliant philosophy while getting younger and allowing them to grow with the team. When you look at these stats, you see those three names in the top ten a silly amount of the time. And for a "combo guard", Charles Jenkins looks like the most complete PG in the NCAA (besides being tall, long, powerful, and not a stiff). If you can only get late 1st/early 2nds, you can probably at least get Nolan Smith still, which could probably be a nice backup down the road.
If you can parlay things that won't be a part of this hypothetical future contender into picks this year, do it.
I'm looking at you, CJ Miles.
