Houston in talks with Kyrylo Fesenko.

[JoelHodgeJr]

I differ with you on what the Jazz think about Fes's potential. For a center size and mobility is potential. You dont need to shoot 20 feet out and you dont need to be able to pass perfect out of a double team all the time. I mean look at Dwight Howard (not saying fes is equal). Cant shoot, pass, or dribble but is concidered the best center in the game. All Fes has going for him right now is "massive" (haha) potential. If the Jazz crew can get through to this kid and teach him "How to play the game right" then he could be a great player.

 

[The Midnight]

I differ with you on what the Jazz think about Fes's potential. For a center size and mobility is potential. You dont need to shoot 20 feet out and you dont need to be able to pass perfect out of a double team all the time. I mean look at Dwight Howard (not saying fes is equal). Cant shoot, pass, or dribble but is concidered the best center in the game. All Fes has going for him right now is "massive" (haha) potential. If the Jazz crew can get through to this kid and teach him "How to play the game right" then he could be a great player.

That's exactly my point - if the Jazz still thinks that he's got "massive" potential - then why don't they sign him to a 2 year contract? Why waste this year "teaching him" and once he becomes a decent player we lose him to the sharks (Houston, Dallas, Denver, Portland..etc) next year?

The only conclusion is that they must think that his potential is not "massive" enough and therefore have given up.

That's the logic anyway assuming they'd learnt from the Mathews shenanigans....

 

[JoelHodgeJr]

Nick if they gave up on him then they wouldnt offer him a contract. The Jazz have no problem and have never had a problem passing up on players they lost faith with. This is still a buisness and the Jazz are going to offer Fes as little as they think they can and still have him sign. Dont get so hung up on how much or how long his contract is for. If he has a big season this year they will be more than happy to pay him big bucks, but this way they can wait untill after the NBA Bargaining Agreement which will likey be lowering all future contract sizes.

 

[Scorpjazz]

So?

 

[InGameStrategy]

Fesenko will never put up huge numbers but he could easily put up 10 points 8 rebounds and 1.5-2 blocks per game if given 30-33 minutes a night.

But its the space he takes up on defense that makes him so valuable. I actually agree that anything under 4 Million a year is a bargain for him.

Most GM's look at stats instead of how players complement each other. That is why there is so many over paid players for the past 5 years.

He is the perfect back up Center. If Fesenko was not restricted than Fesenko would have a contract right now. Most teams don't have money or they know the Jazz will match.

There is plenty of back up Centers getting more than 4 Million a year. I would offer Fesenko 8 Million dollars for 4 years with the 4th year being a team option. He is worth that easily.
I have a feeling that the Jazz only offered him the qualifying offer and are holding there ground. But they will match just about any offer. But are hoping he just signs that just in case something better comes along next summer when he is a free agent again.
I personally think they should sign him long term. He is bargain whether he gets better or not.

I've been one of the biggest Fesenkophiles, but I would say that he is a ways away from going 30 MPG from even a physical conditioning standpoint, not to mention skillwise.

That being said, I agree with you that they should lock him up for two to four years. He probably hasn't developed naturally as quickly as Sloan would've liked, and his off-court behavior hasn't been exemplary, but Sloan hasn't given him a lot of on-court experience to really put it into practice.

Part of me wishes that someone overseas or here--wherever--would put put some pressure into Utah signing Fes to a multiyear deal, ideally at modest money ($2 million give or take a million).

 

[JoelHodgeJr]

So im saying the length and size of a players contract has nothing to do with a teams hope in said player's potential.

 

[The Midnight]

Nick if they gave up on him then they wouldnt offer him a contract. The Jazz have no problem and have never had a problem passing up on players they lost faith with. This is still a buisness and the Jazz are going to offer Fes as little as they think they can and still have him sign. Dont get so hung up on how much or how long his contract is for. If he has a big season this year they will be more than happy to pay him big bucks, but this way they can wait untill after the NBA Bargaining Agreement which will likey be lowering all future contract sizes.

I hear what you're saying but $1.1m qualifying offer is not a lot of money and hardly a sign that they believe in him. Heck - try to find a legit 7 footer who knows the Jazz system, has had multiple NBA playoff experience who will sign for less than that!

 

[sirkickyass]

I hear what you're saying but $1.1m qualifying offer is not a lot of money and hardly a sign that they believe in him. Heck - try to find a legit 7 footer who knows the Jazz system, has had multiple NBA playoff experience who will sign for less than that!

I love Fes but understand wanting to lock him down for low $ for a number of years. If nothing else it's a big strategic advantage to have a player that is potentially very good that eats up little cap space. Particularly going into an uncertain CBA environment.

 

[Twin Towers]

I don't get your logic Twin..

1. "Most teams don't have money or know the Jazz will match" - so you're saying if some teams offered him $4mil a year then the Jazz will match? Are you kidding me?
2. "Jazz only offering qualifying offer... but will match just about any offer" - so... do they want him for longer 1 year or not? If yes why haven't they offered him a 2 year contract already? If no then why would they match "any offer"?
3. "He is bargain whether he gets better or not" - so why have they not signed him already? Let him walk next year when he's got 1 more year of experience under his belt and becoming a free agent?

What I think is the case is this - the Jazz are sure that although he's got potential - that potential is not great. Also they believe there are bigger fishes in the sea next year (i.e., Tomic). They want him for cheap this year - and that's it. End of story.

There is also of course the chance that Fesenko will become last year's Mathews.. but they must have worked out the odds for that - and figured that it's not very likely.

I can see why you don't get my logic. I guess I made that confusing. But we all know he is immature and they are more worried about cap space right now than anything. After AK's huge contract is off the books the jazz will be fine. But this year they are trying not to spend too much.
So the Jazz most likely want him to just sign that 1 year deal.
I am not saying the Jazz would match the 4 Million dollar a year but I think he is worth it myself.

Fesenko obviously thinks he can get more than 1 Million a year and the Jazz don't want to play that this year. But I bet the Jazz would love to keep him long term but they also dont want to pay too much in luxury tax this year. I think the 1 year deal will see if he matures and also gives them more options next summer.
But I think the Jazz like him and if he gets a 2 or 3 Million dollar a year contract I think the Jazz would sign it so they don't lose him. But they don't want to his year because of the luxury tax. That is just my opinion though.
It all has to do with the luxury tax more than Fesenko as a player in my opinion. Jazz are just going the cheap route.

 

[Twin Towers]

That's exactly my point - if the Jazz still thinks that he's got "massive" potential - then why don't they sign him to a 2 year contract? Why waste this year "teaching him" and once he becomes a decent player we lose him to the sharks (Houston, Dallas, Denver, Portland..etc) next year?

The only conclusion is that they must think that his potential is not "massive" enough and therefore have given up.

That's the logic anyway assuming they'd learnt from the Mathews shenanigans....

Again I don't think its related to Fesenko as much as its related to the luxury tax. I think the Jazz know that he is worth more than 1 Million a year but that is the great thing about restricted free agents. Jazz do not have to offer him a contract even. They can see what he is worth. It sucked with Matthews but look what happened with Millsap. He will only get paid 6 to 7 Million for the next couple of years. Thats a bargain for what is he going to do to for us this coming season.
Jazz are just being smart and trying to get him for cheap for 1 year to avoid paying more luxury tax.

 

[Twin Towers]

I've been one of the biggest Fesenkophiles, but I would say that he is a ways away from going 30 MPG from even a physical conditioning standpoint, not to mention skillwise.

That being said, I agree with you that they should lock him up for two to four years. He probably hasn't developed naturally as quickly as Sloan would've liked, and his off-court behavior hasn't been exemplary, but Sloan hasn't given him a lot of on-court experience to really put it into practice.

Part of me wishes that someone overseas or here--wherever--would put put some pressure into Utah signing Fes to a multiyear deal, ideally at modest money ($2 million give or take a million).

I think Fesenko is like most young players. They don't get motivated until they get playing time (CJ Miles). I am not saying he should be rewarded for not being motivated. But if you want to develop raw players that is what they need. Experience. He needs more.

No he is not ready to play 30 minutes a game but if given the chance to play more minutes CONSISTENTLY than I think he would try harder and feel obligated to his teammates. Its immaturity big time but that is what happens with raw players who have gotten by on physical gifts rather than hard work. That is why I hate when the Jazz draft prospects with raw talent. We waste them.

 

[The Midnight]

I can see why you don't get my logic. I guess I made that confusing. But we all know he is immature and they are more worried about cap space right now than anything. After AK's huge contract is off the books the jazz will be fine. But this year they are trying not to spend too much.
So the Jazz most likely want him to just sign that 1 year deal.
I am not saying the Jazz would match the 4 Million dollar a year but I think he is worth it myself.

Fesenko obviously thinks he can get more than 1 Million a year and the Jazz don't want to play that this year. But I bet the Jazz would love to keep him long term but they also dont want to pay too much in luxury tax this year. I think the 1 year deal will see if he matures and also gives them more options next summer.
But I think the Jazz like him and if he gets a 2 or 3 Million dollar a year contract I think the Jazz would sign it so they don't lose him. But they don't want to his year because of the luxury tax. That is just my opinion though.
It all had to do with the luxury tax more than Fesenko as a player in my opinion. Jazz are just going the cheap route.

Yeah OK I got your point - either, Option 1: pay, say $8 mil for 4 years (+$2 of tax this year) = $10m total including tax .. or fight over the sharks next year when he's in free agency ($12m for 4 years seems reasonable). But.. then you'll have to fight with the sharks.. if that's your cup of tea.

I guess all this guess work would go away once (if..) Houston does sign him to an offer sheet... then we'll REALLY know what the Jazz are thinking...