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Sportando: Utah Jazz eyeing Nemanja Bjelica

I think Bjelica would be a really nice fit. I also think his playing time and production would go up in our lineup that lacks a real stretch big (unlike Minny).

However, losing Favors and bringing in Bjelica as his "replacement" would scare me. I'd be much more comfortable retaining Favors as the starter, and playing all 3 bigs in 26-32 minutes a night range (including Crowder). Rudy seems to miss 10-12 games a year with minor injuries, and it's huge to have D Favs as a "backup C" in those scenarios.
The Jazz had a terrible record without Gobert, so I don't know how great that insurance is.
 
By the way, my gut tells me he’s definitely signing here. It makes so much sense. Team need. Our MO. The Rubio connection. Mitchell seeing him a couple weeks ago.

Not to mention company man David Locke talking up Belly on his podcast during the season.

Much like he did with Rubio last year.

I agree - very much the "measured movement" signing we've come to expect from the FO (I mean that as a compliment)
 
He would be a great fit, he'd be like an upgraded Jerebko. If the Suns really are interested, don't they have a ton of cap space? I'm worried they may be able to make a bigger offer then we can.
 
I can't see a realistic scenario that both Bjelica and Favors are here next season.

Why? Assuming we use our mle on Bjelica we should be able to afford both of them. Favors could still be the starter and Bjelica could come off the bench.
 
Why? Assuming we use our mle on Bjelica we should be able to afford both of them. Favors could still be the starter and Bjelica could come off the bench.
And tie up how much cap? Favors seems to take every thing said or done around him as a slight and then he vaguebooks about it multiple times a year. I don't think his pride will allow any more of the team doing anything other making sure his path is clear to be a longterm starter/fringe core player.

More importantly, I'm not tying up $20 million on both of them.
 
Bjelica did fair job defensively as a 3 last year. I like he chances to be an average defender at the 4 next to Gobert. Couple that with his shooting, and he is a difference maker for us.

If Favors is willing to take a 7-10 mil a year deal then we can sign both. But if we have to pick, I would pick Bjelica.
 
And tie up how much cap? Favors seems to take every thing said or done around him as a slight and then he vaguebooks about it multiple times a year. I don't think his pride will allow any more of the team doing anything other making sure his path is clear to be a longterm starter/fringe core player.

More importantly, I'm not tying up $20 million on both of them.

I'm assuming that we'll offer Favors a 1 year deal so that we wont tie up our cap space for 2019. I think if we offer 1 year 15-17 million there's a good chance he takes it, if not then we let him walk. I definitely don't see the Jazz offering him a long term deal.
 
Not to mention company man David Locke talking up Belly on his podcast during the season.

Pay attention to what Locke is saying. Remember he was a huge Lyles advocate and he drafted Bradley in last year's mock. So while he does not directly say what the Jazz FO is saying, there are often clues to inside info.
 
I'm assuming that we'll offer Favors a 1 year deal so that we wont tie up our cap space for 2019. I think if we offer 1 year 15-17 million there's a good chance he takes it, if not then we let him walk. I definitely don't see the Jazz offering him a long term deal.

But they don't do this out of the gate because it kills optionality (Porter, Love, etc)
 
Bjelica did fair job defensively as a 3 last year. I like he chances to be an average defender at the 4 next to Gobert. Couple that with his shooting, and he is a difference maker for us.

If Favors is willing to take a 7-10 mil a year deal then we can sign both. But if we have to pick, I would pick Bjelica.

You’re saying he can guard 3’s?

I have a hard time seeing him doing anything against an athletic 4, let alone switch in anyway positively.

I’m trying to like him but I’m not seeing giving him the MLE in the modern NBA.
 
The Jazz had a terrible record without Gobert, so I don't know how great that insurance is.

I’ve been thinking lately about why Favs doesn’t seem impactful on defense by himself. I think our funneling scheme doesn’t help him and he’d do better in a switching scheme... Locke was mentioning something Igor said that defensive scheme is tough to change... its almost embedded in the team philosophy in training camp and it’s tough to switch back and forth.

Anyway... I’m prepared for Favs to leave and all of us to freak out when he looks a little better in that type of scheme. I don’t know that we should keep him but I don’t think the way we play does him any... wait for it... favors.
 
You’re saying he can guard 3’s?

I have a hard time seeing him doing anything against an athletic 4, let alone switch in anyway positively.

I’m trying to like him but I’m not seeing giving him the MLE in the modern NBA.

He moves pretty well imo...I like him as a stop gap option upgrade over Jonas, but would rather have Niko, Harris, Middleton as our stretchy 4
 
I’ve been thinking lately about why Favs doesn’t seem impactful on defense by himself. I think our funneling scheme doesn’t help him and he’d do better in a switching scheme... Locke was mentioning something Igor said that defensive scheme is tough to change... its almost embedded in the team philosophy in training camp and it’s tough to switch back and forth.

Anyway... I’m prepared for Favs to leave and all of us to freak out when he looks a little better in that type of scheme. I don’t know that we should keep him but I don’t think the way we play does him any... wait for it... favors.
This is why I prefer Gobert or Udoh on the floor at all times. A legit shooter/scorer at the four enables that, so a legit shooting (and scoring, not just shooting) 4 would, as a byproduct, make us better beyond the floor spacing and scoring part — our defense would be even better. A huge reason I kept pushing Niko.
 
This is why I prefer Gobert or Udoh on the floor at all times. A legit shooter/scorer at the four enables that, so a legit shooting (and scoring, not just shooting) 4 would, as a byproduct, make us better beyond the floor spacing and scoring part — our defense would be even better. A huge reason I kept pushing Niko.

Yeah I actually think we should pursue a guy like Dedmon if he declines his option... as a backup 5. If he’s cheap.

I think Favs main appeal as backup 5 is on offense... good rim runner... that is where Udoh struggles most.
 
Yeah I actually think we should pursue a guy like Dedmon if he declines his option... as a backup 5. If he’s cheap.

I think Favs main appeal as backup 5 is on offense... good rim runner... that is where Udoh struggles most.
Dedmon is very interesting and I’ve liked him every time I’ve seen him. Seems tough. Good rebounder and is hitting the three (albeit really only from the corner).
 
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