The story behind the Utah Jazz’s front-office shake-up, and why it happened now

[Doc Cherno]

I'm going to take the apparently widely unpopular view that the Udoka pick will pan out. He was a very late first round pick and obviously needs some seasoning, but I think in 2 years he'll be coming off the bench as Rudy-lite. That's probably his ceiling, but if he meets his ceiling and sticks around a few years I don' think that's a bad pick at that spot.

 

[cowhide]

I agree... although... we will never get an opportunity this wide open.

I don't know the league has a lot of parity now. It isn't like in the past when there were only about 3 or 4 teams who were real contenders. I certainly believe it will be harder if the Jazz stay the same and lose Conley. The Jazz did not get lucky and stay healthy. Phoenix is in the finals because they are talented but also the fact that CP3's injury only lasted a couple games. The Suns beat the Lakers, Clippers and Denver, each of those teams had a major injury that kept them out of the series. Not saying that the Suns wouldn't have won still but it would have been harder. They got lucky/ That is what was missing with the Jazz. Jazz need to add REAL depth, get healthy and then get a little luck on their side.

 

[latin jazz]

A couple of things have bubbled up in the past couple of days. I saw a blurb where former two-way player Tyler Cavanaugh signed a deal in Eastern Europe and the coach there is Martin Schiller who was his coach with the Stars. The guy shot 41% from 3 with the Stars and his coach there lobbied to sign him. I know it's not the NBA but the Minivan is the only success right now from the two way deals and that was after the Pacers and Warriors waived him. Also JWF was named player of the week in whatever league he is playing in. The point I'm trying to make is that the Jazz "player development" program with the Stars is a sham. Anyone signing a two way with the Jazz was signing his death warrant. If I were Forrest and Brantley I would be very nervous right now. They are looking at the headstones of Nate Wolters, Eric Griffin, Erick McCree, Naz, Cavanaugh, JWF, Willie Reed and Isiah Cousins. Who decided these guys sucked? Was it DL, Quin or a combination? Running the organization like this leaves little hope for guys playing for the Stars. Would any of the guys mentioned been any worse than our deep bench? I doubt it.

I'm curious. Do you have a spreadsheet with former Jazz scrubs? Do you do a weekly google search for each one of those?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I'm going to take the apparently widely unpopular view that the Udoka pick will pan out. He was a very late first round pick and obviously needs some seasoning, but I think in 2 years he'll be coming off the bench as Rudy-lite. That's probably his ceiling, but if he meets his ceiling and sticks around a few years I don' think that's a bad pick at that spot.

So you invest 3 years, a first round pick, and the roster spot for 3 years... so you can get a good backup center? When there are good backup center readily available?

Its not necessarily just Udoka... its the whole situation. Say we didn't sign Favs and drafted Udoka... okay then we get a backup center for a couple years and chance to see if maybe he's more than that.

I think Udoka could be similar to Capela if he reaches his ceiling. That's a good player... but if you have Rudy you aren't going to maximize that guy/pick. Its the combo of giving Rudy the megamax, giving Favs the full MLE for three years, and drafting Doke that makes no damn sense.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I don't know the league has a lot of parity now. There are not like 3 or 4 teams who are in contention. I certainly believe it will be harder if the Jazz stay the same and lose Conley. The Jazz did not get lucky and stay healthy. Phoenix is in the final because CP injury only lasted a couple games. The Suns beat the Lakers, CLippers and Denver, each of those teams had a major injury that kept them out of the series. Not saying that the Suns wouldn't have won still but it would have been harder. They got lucky/ That is what was missing with the Jazz. Jazz need to add REAL depth, get healthy and then get a little luck on their side.

This might be true. I just think if the Nets or Lakers are healthy next year then the super duper stars win out again. Denver and other contenders got side swiped too. Maybe we survive if we built critical depth... maybe the injuries still derail us.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Oh I agree. That's why you have to keep Mike and hope he gets healthy. Then work on Favs deals that maybe improve us... use the mini-MLE to get something helpful. Hope Udoka doesn't suck or that you strike gold in the draft.

One name not being thrown around as a potential PG replacement is Kyle Lowry. I really have no idea what his contract would be looking like though.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

One name not being thrown around as a potential PG replacement is Kyle Lowry. I really have no idea what his contract would be looking like though.

We have no way to get him. Can't do a sign and trade because we are over the apron. Nothing we have and can part with is likely good enough for Toronto... he'd also have to force his way here and bypass Toronto, Miami, and Dallas to do so. He's not an option unfortunately.

If Conley walks you are looking at what you can get for the MLE or strapping some salary together for someone who looks washed but you hope they come back to life.

 

[homeytennis]

I'm curious. Do you have a spreadsheet with former Jazz scrubs? Do you do a weekly google search for each one of those?

There is a website Proexposure that covers D-1, GLeague, overseas leagues and the NBA. If a players does something exceptional it bubbles up on that site. NWG was a frequent flier after the Jazz cut him.

 

[Elizah Huge]

We have no way to get him. Can't do a sign and trade because we are over the apron. Nothing we have and can part with is likely good enough for Toronto... he'd also have to force his way here and bypass Toronto, Miami, and Dallas to do so. He's not an option unfortunately.

If Conley walks you are looking at what you can get for the MLE or strapping some salary together for someone who looks washed but you hope they come back to life.

We aren’t over the apron though. The apron will be around 140.6M.

Without Conley we are right at 136M. Theoretically we could move Favors and 30 to get him as long as his salary was under 14.3M year. I know he’d have to want to be here and maybe Toronto takes the first round pick.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

There is a website Proexposure that covers D-1, GLeague, overseas leagues and the NBA. If a players does something exceptional it bubbles up on that site. NWG was a frequent flier after the Jazz cut him.

Your secrets have been revealed.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

I'm going to take the apparently widely unpopular view that the Udoka pick will pan out. He was a very late first round pick and obviously needs some seasoning, but I think in 2 years he'll be coming off the bench as Rudy-lite. That's probably his ceiling, but if he meets his ceiling and sticks around a few years I don' think that's a bad pick at that spot.

Can someone pull Dok's advanced stats for his limited time on the floor, but against other team's end of bench players?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

We aren’t over the apron though. The apron will be around 140.6M.

Without Conley we are right at 136M. Theoretically we could move Favors and 30 to get him as long as his salary was under 14.3M year. I know he’d have to want to be here and maybe Toronto takes the first round pick.

You still have to fill out the rest of the roster and end up under the apron... so you are looking at ditching Favs and Clarkson for zero salary if you bring in Kyle.

So maybe Toronto says JC/Favs/#30 for Lowry... but Kyle will also likely get more than $15M... he will cost more than Mike imo. I'd guess he is $20M plus.