What upgrades are needed to make us a contender?

[Elizah Huge]

I would be very surprised to see this team make any win now moves. You mention the parity in the west but I think that actually makes us more likely to trade pieces away because we don't have to be nearly as bad to get into that bottom 4 of the west. A few calculated moves and we could be right there.

I think it is quite the opposite. We likely can only win about 10-15 more games to end up in the bottom-4. We have such a large lead already over Houston/Detroit/Los Angeles/Orlando/Charlotte etc.

We would probably have to trade Conley, Clarkson, and Lauri to be that bad to drop to the bottom-4.

 

[kabenac]

What's funny is in past seasons it was so much easier to realize what areas/positions we needed to improve. This season it's tougher; perhaps partially because the season is young and also because most of our team is new.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

So far there is a lot of parity in the NBA this season. I don't see any team as being truly dominant and running away as title favorites. I guess it's been that way for a couple of seasons, but seems even more so this year. Right now on top of the Western Conference standing is Portland, Denver, and Utah. The highest point differential is Phoenix at +6.4. There are a lot of question marks for those teams.

It seems like with the right acquisitions a team could put themselves ahead of the pack. We certainly have enough assets to make something happen. It will be interesting to see how things continue to evolve and how the front office is feeling around the trade deadline.

There is regular season parity. In the playoffs we'd be in trouble. That is where the teams with top end talent ride that talent further than we can go.

We are winning with some numbers magic and with solid players... some which might be shooting a bit higher than their averages. We got some shooting luck as well. We aren't a contender at all and aren't one move away unless that one move is getting KD while giving up the bare minimum in terms of win now talent. That would be short sighted. By all means acquire some guys that can help you now and in the future if a good opportunity arises, but we need a HUGELY talented player to say yes before we are even in the discussion... like Paul George would be the minimum player add.

There is parity but conference finals teams include teams led by Luka, Booker, Jokic, Steph, Paul George, Lebron. If I had to guess, without Ainge Intervention this team will play at a play-in type level rest of the year (also assumes decent health). Maybe we make the top 6 based on the head start we got. We may not be able to tank to bottom 5 (its kinda impossible without wild irrational trades) but if an opportunity arises to get us to bottom 7-8 and delivers future assets or flexibility... go on ahead and make that move.

If we get a chance to buy low on someone that may add a few wins... by all means go and do it. Its a tough place to be in but its also a nice place to be. We have a 3 on 2 fast break and a good ball handler coming down the middle of the floor... figure out a way to score.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

I would be very surprised to see this team make any win now moves. You mention the parity in the west but I think that actually makes us more likely to trade pieces away because we don't have to be nearly as bad to get into that bottom 4 of the west. A few calculated moves and we could be right there.

I'm not suggesting we will or should make win now moves, just that it will be interesting to see what happens. As you said, the parity can go the other way as well. We might get to a point where we see an easy path to a much better draft pick and become a seller.

Right now I think Houston is clearly in the lead for race to the bottom. They are bad and want to be bad, with Orlando right there with them. Detroit/Charlotte are probably next, but I'm not sure either team is committed to being as bad as possible.

 

[Ron Mexico]

We need an upgrade over Vando to push him to the bench where he is better (he could improve later since he is young) and get an upgrade/future replacement for Conley. We need a guy to direct the offense and can pass, create, and shoot. Any length on the wing would be great always. We also need to swing for the fences a bunch with our picks.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Situations to monitor:

- Golden State... what do they do with Kuminga/Wiseman (think Moody is a keeper and can stay in the rotation)
- NY - Toppin, Quickley, Grimes can't get on the floor as much as some would like... do they give up on RJ (yeah I'd buy low on him still).
- Toronto - If they make a big move do OG, Precious, or other things become available?
- Wiz - Do they clear some young guys to make a win now move?

There are a bunch of pick situations too... Phoenix, Toronto, Miami, Dallas, Milwaukee that would have interest in some of our guys.

 

[Chargers Jazz Angels]

I kinda like this idea

Trade

Beasley
Olynyk
THT
a couple of firsts

For

Hield
Turner

Conley, Sexton, Bolmaro
Clarkson, Hield (Could be swapped), NAW
Vanderbilt, Fonticchico, Agbaji
Markkanen, Gay
Turner, Kessler, DOke

I hate giving up Olynyk but that is a sexy team. Hields shooting will compliment sextons driving.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

We need an upgrade over Vando to push him to the bench where he is better (he could improve later since he is young) and get an upgrade/future replacement for Conley. We need a guy to direct the offense and can pass, create, and shoot. Any length on the wing would be great always. We also need to swing for the fences a bunch with our picks.

I honestly think the "place" to upgrade would be the Vando/KO tandem. They are really good players... and they work well with each other... but its a low ceiling pairing and the place we could get more dynamic. Like if you replaced KO with Kessler in starting lineup you have a rim protector but spacing issues... if you replace Vando with like Simone or Beasley you get a **** ton of shooting but it will be a layup line.

Vando/KO off the bench is a killer tandem for a contender. Solid starters for a mid team though.

Conley is another spot to improve but I honestly just think his minutes need to be paired back. On back to backs he is so rough... let THT (yeah I said it @Saint Cy of JFC ) start and see what happens... increase some of Sexton's minutes and get some other guys on the floor. If THT pairs it back he can play like Conley has and provide some length on the wing... maybe you find something.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I kinda like this idea

Trade

Beasley
Olynyk
THT
a couple of firsts

For

Hield
Turner

Conley, Sexton, Bolmaro
Clarkson, Hield (Could be swapped), NAW
Vanderbilt, Fonticchico, Agbaji
Markkanen, Gay
Turner, Kessler, DOke

I hate giving up Olynyk but that is a sexy team. Hields shooting will compliment sextons driving.

A couple of first? Put down the crack pipe.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Turner for KO and Gay plus like a Cleveland first would be fair. Not saying I’d do it but that’s the price I’d want to pay if I did.

 

[KqWIN]

Situations to monitor:

- Golden State... what do they do with Kuminga/Wiseman (think Moody is a keeper and can stay in the rotation)
- NY - Toppin, Quickley, Grimes can't get on the floor as much as some would like... do they give up on RJ (yeah I'd buy low on him still).
- Toronto - If they make a big move do OG, Precious, or other things become available?
- Wiz - Do they clear some young guys to make a win now move?

There are a bunch of pick situations too... Phoenix, Toronto, Miami, Dallas, Milwaukee that would have interest in some of our guys.

I would really love to get Quickley/Toppin, but I wonder if that relationship has broken down between the two franchises. NYK can still say the Jazz were asking for too much, but I can guarantee there's a bunch of people in that FO that are wondering why some distant first round pick is the reason they don't have Donovan Mitchell who has played like an MVP candidate. I feel like they should have been a Bogey buyer, but there was too much salt between the two sides to work on a deal. Tbh, I'm still baffled Don didn't go to the Knicks. They had so many pieces the Jazz should be interested in, and their relationship to Mitchell probably makes Mitchell more valuable to them than to any other team. I don't think they believed the Jazz had another offer, until they did.

If they can set aside the differences, I think a deal can still be made. With the way their rotation works, only one of Quickley/Grimes is going to get significant PT. Would be a great time to try and get them on a discount.

 

[Eddie Zero]

Yea

Yeah exactly that. Move ball movement, less dribbling.

To be fair, its not really his game. He is so fast with the ball and needs to use that speed to be at his best. Spreading out and playing catch and shoot is not best for his skillset.

What his best skillset is p/n attack the basket, but he has to have shooting threats that move well off ball to not get squeezed. He will just go with powering inside if the pass option timing is off with his motion, as is often the case with speed demons. Imo he needs to slow it down a little bit in the half court on his drives and they need to have a better off ball player with him than THT or JC or Mike all of whom also are best on ball. Sexton has tried this but ends up pounding air out the ball, or just doing what he thinks they want, and half heartedly handing off the ball to Clarkson instead of going off like he did in the past.
I don't really see a problem with him as a playmaker at all. What I do see is a guy so used to having high usage as a 1st or 2nd option in Cleveland, that he is being minimized to less than his potential in the "system" that most of the team needs to play in, and he is your basic closer so far on this team if needs be. Outside of that he just still trying to adjust to whatever coach needs, and it has not been pretty.

 

[Ron Mexico]

I honestly think the "place" to upgrade would be the Vando/KO tandem. They are really good players... and they work well with each other... but its a low ceiling pairing and the place we could get more dynamic. Like if you replaced KO with Kessler in starting lineup you have a rim protector but spacing issues... if you replace Vando with like Simone or Beasley you get a **** ton of shooting but it will be a layup line.

Vando/KO off the bench is a killer tandem for a contender. Solid starters for a mid team though.

Conley is another spot to improve but I honestly just think his minutes need to be paired back. On back to backs he is so rough... let THT (yeah I said it @Saint Cy of JFC ) start and see what happens... increase some of Sexton's minutes and get some other guys on the floor. If THT pairs it back he can play like Conley has and provide some length on the wing... maybe you find something.

I guess one question overall is where should Lauri play at and who fits around him. He can play 3 positions but I'm not sure where he is best at. I think having 4 stretch guys definitely helps his offense. But he also can't guard bigger centers so you might need a bigger guy next to him.

 

[Domino]

I honestly think the "place" to upgrade would be the Vando/KO tandem. They are really good players... and they work well with each other... but its a low ceiling pairing and the place we could get more dynamic. Like if you replaced KO with Kessler in starting lineup you have a rim protector but spacing issues... if you replace Vando with like Simone or Beasley you get a **** ton of shooting but it will be a layup line.

Vando/KO off the bench is a killer tandem for a contender. Solid starters for a mid team though.

Conley is another spot to improve but I honestly just think his minutes need to be paired back. On back to backs he is so rough... let THT (yeah I said it @Saint Cy of JFC ) start and see what happens... increase some of Sexton's minutes and get some other guys on the floor. If THT pairs it back he can play like Conley has and provide some length on the wing... maybe you find something.

Well this is an interesting thought I just had like you said KO and JV would be great off of the bench if we were able to get a guy like crowder from phoenix we could start him lauri and Kessler with JV and Olynk off the bench because crowder would add that spacing we need to have Kessler start… Some people would be opposed to having Kessler start but from what I’ve seen I think he could handle it and it would add an extra dimension to our bench.


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[Eddie Zero]

Turner for KO and Gay plus like a Cleveland first would be fair. Not saying I’d do it but that’s the price I’d want to pay if I did.

I wouldn't give up anything for a player on a rental at this stage no matter how much he helps. Especially not a first we don't know the value of for awhile. . Just sign him in free agency if he has interest i the Jazz. I don't like the idea of trading for a guy who wants to be in California in the shadow of Lebron and AD. Now if that isn't true and he winks at Danny then maybe.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I wouldn't give up anything for a player on a rental at this stage no matter how much he helps. Especially not a first we don't know the value of for awhile. . Just sign him in free agency if he has interest i the Jazz. I don't like the idea of trading for a guy who wants to be in California in the shadow of Lebron and AD. Now if that isn't true and he winks at Danny then maybe.

He is extension eligible though I am not sure he will sign one... would start at 21.5M per year. We likely aren't getting him in FA and he is a flight risk for sure. I am not sure I'd do it either but I think that offer is fair. At very least you've cleaned the cap a bit if he bails you can sign someone else maybe.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I guess one question overall is where should Lauri play at and who fits around him. He can play 3 positions but I'm not sure where he is best at. I think having 4 stretch guys definitely helps his offense. But he also can't guard bigger centers so you might need a bigger guy next to him.

I think he's mostly a 4 but his flexibility is a nice benefit. We need someone to create on the perimeter and someone to protect the rim... and the more shooting the better.

Turner is an interesting pairing potentially. I would have loved to see this version of Lauri with Rudy.

 

[KqWIN]

I think Turner wants out so badly he'd be very open to signing an extension.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I do think Indiana might just be willing to roll with Turner for now. They traditionally do not tank. I want to find buy low opportunities.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think Turner wants out so badly he'd be very open to signing an extension.

3 years and like $70M (can you go 4 years out?) seems fair given his injury history... if he makes it out of the season healthy I can absolutely see LA offering 4/100+ though. Not sure where his head is.