No way the Jazz amensty Bell, he would probably retire or play for the min and the Jazz could simply waive him for a lot less money.Waste of an amnesty because nobody will pick him up, meaning we foot the bill. Should just waive him and eat the cost (which I what we'll do anyway). That being said, at least they're doing something about it.
They still have to pay him if they waive him. No team is going to pick up his contract if he's waived, but some might make a low bid for him, saving the Jazz a bit of cash.No way the Jazz amensty Bell, he would probably retire or play for the min and the Jazz could simply waive him for a lot less money.
When the topic came up last year, KOC mentioned they were not in favor of paying a guy not to play. I think that may have changed given Bell's toxic attitude. Obviously, Harris and Jefferson have value as players and expiring contracts. Raja's contract would be valuable as a throw-in, but IMO, the Jazz simply cannot bring him to training camp. He'll demand minutes.I don't remember this but to amnesty Harris is ridiculous IMO and I would guess the only reason people didn't want to amnesty Bell last year was hold out hope he could be part of a trade (as a throw in) but lots has happened since then and the exit interview sealed Bell's fate and now that the Jazz are up against it, it now makes a lot more sense.
When the topic came up last year, KOC mentioned they were not in favor of paying a guy not to play. I think that may have changed given Bell's toxic attitude. Obviously, Harris and Jefferson have value as players and expiring contracts. Raja's contract would be valuable as a throw-in, but IMO, the Jazz simply cannot bring him to training camp. He'll demand minutes.
I'm sure KOC has explored trade options for Raja and there is ZERO interest. Wouldn't surprise me if Raja is amnestied and no one picks him up.
I'm not a huge Locke fan, but I think a major deal with NJ fell apart when Howard chose to remain in Orlando. NJ needed to clear some salary. Raja and CJ would have been Plan "B's" for some teams. I'm not surprised no one wanted a washed up vet, nor a shooter who can't make shots. Best case for those guys would have been as insurance on a playoff team in return for a late second. Or perhaps CJ could have gone to NJ to be reunited with his BFF, Deron. I'm not going to cry over not getting a 2nd-rounder. There are undrafted players who can be signed that are just as good - or just as much if a longshot - however you want to look at it.Locke says a lot of stuff, and it's always "insider information", but it doesn't always work out. He gets our hopes up and they get crushed because he jumps the gun. Wasn't he saying something about Bell or CJ being traded before the deadline, saying it was a done deal, and it never happened? I don't count on any of his "sure" things.
I'm not a huge Locke fan, but I think a major deal with NJ fell apart when Howard chose to remain in Orlando. NJ needed to clear some salary. Raja and CJ would have been Plan "B's" for some teams. I'm not surprised no one wanted a washed up vet, nor a shooter who can't make shots. Best case for those guys would have been as insurance on a playoff team in return for a late second. Or perhaps CJ could have gone to NJ to be reunited with his BFF, Deron. I'm not going to cry over not getting a 2nd-rounder. There are undrafted players who can be signed that are just as good - or just as much if a longshot - however you want to look at it.
I haven't really seen Bell have a bad attitude yet in the locker-room. Yes, he and Corbin seem to have some awkward tension, but I think Raja is professional enough not to be a distraction. He still talks to players and seems to have his head up. He wants to be traded, but it's not like he is crying about it or going to the media constantly.