I was just doing the math and the current salary of everyone signed is 29,143,509 (including Trey Burke and Rudy Gobert, but not Kevin Murphy.) The cap floor is $54 million. That's a difference of $24,856,491 which has to be used towards salaries.
Here's just one possible lineup that could be used at the beginning of the season with everyone that's currently signed (including Trey and Rudy but not Kevin Murphy.)
FA, Burke, McNeal
Burks, FA
Hayward, Evans, Williams
Kanter, FA
Favors, FA, Gobert
In this lineup Marvin would eventually return as the backup SF to Gordon who would be starting this year while Jeremy backs him up in the meantime. Next year I believe Alec will finally start. I have Derrick at center but he and Enes are interchangeable. Trey is playing as the backup point while a veteran starts as a stopgap until Trey becomes well acclimated and is ready to start (in Corbin's eyes. Pfff.)
With everyone that's there, the spots that need to filled via free agency are PG, SG, PF and C.
The most money that the front office will spend is on a point guard. They're going to want to sign a player that is capable of starting but is okay with becoming Trey's backup when the time is right. They also want to sign a veteran who can mentor him as well.
For those reason the answer is Jarrett Jack. Jarrett is a more than capable starter and is one of the best backup point guards in the league. He knows what it is to mentor and help young players. He's an extremely hard worker and a great role model who's gone back to school and earned his Business Degree. He could be had for around 10 million a year for three years. Signing Jarret would allow Trey to be inserted into the lineup anytime in the year and would give the Jazz a very good backup for two more years afterwards.
Signing Jarrett brings the salary up to $39,143,509 with $14,856,491 left to spend.
Next up is shooting guard. I feel the Jazz will bring Foye back and Corbin will play him behind Alec. This season is really about the youth and Corbin knows that and the front office doesn't expect him to win and he knows that as well. He'll go for development rather than best chance of winning. Sign him to a 4 year 16 millions dollar deal with an early termination option.
Salary is up to $43,143,509 with $10,856,491 left to spend.
Power forward. One guy that really stood out to me out of all the other PF's was J.J. Hickson. He played for the Blazers last season as a center but he's more suited to play the four. He has trouble defensively but he's a terrific rebounder with 10.4 RPG and a decent scorer at 12.7 PPG. From what I've read he's a great teammate and an extremely hard worker. At 24 he could fit in with the young nucleus. Take a chance at him with a 3 year 21 million dollar deal and an early termination option.
Salary is at $50,143,509 with $3,856,491 left to spend.
Finally the center position. The guy I've been jonesin on has been DeJuan Blair. He's been pushed behind Tiago Splitter and Boris Diaw and could be a great backup center to Derrick. Because of his ties to San Antonio, Dennis Lindsey could look to bring DeJuan Blair to Utah. He does okay offensively when given the chance and is a beast rebounding the ball and is also a pretty great defender. He has great work ethic and again, is a young guy who could fit with the young team. 2 year 8 million should do the job.
Salary is at $54,143,509 with no more left to spend and $4,356,491 under the salary cap.
Roster:
Jack, Burke, McNeal
Burks, Foye
Hayward, Evans, Williams
Kanter, Hickson
Favors, Blair, Gobert
Anyway, ya. That's sort of what I hope to see next season.
Here's just one possible lineup that could be used at the beginning of the season with everyone that's currently signed (including Trey and Rudy but not Kevin Murphy.)
FA, Burke, McNeal
Burks, FA
Hayward, Evans, Williams
Kanter, FA
Favors, FA, Gobert
In this lineup Marvin would eventually return as the backup SF to Gordon who would be starting this year while Jeremy backs him up in the meantime. Next year I believe Alec will finally start. I have Derrick at center but he and Enes are interchangeable. Trey is playing as the backup point while a veteran starts as a stopgap until Trey becomes well acclimated and is ready to start (in Corbin's eyes. Pfff.)
With everyone that's there, the spots that need to filled via free agency are PG, SG, PF and C.
The most money that the front office will spend is on a point guard. They're going to want to sign a player that is capable of starting but is okay with becoming Trey's backup when the time is right. They also want to sign a veteran who can mentor him as well.
For those reason the answer is Jarrett Jack. Jarrett is a more than capable starter and is one of the best backup point guards in the league. He knows what it is to mentor and help young players. He's an extremely hard worker and a great role model who's gone back to school and earned his Business Degree. He could be had for around 10 million a year for three years. Signing Jarret would allow Trey to be inserted into the lineup anytime in the year and would give the Jazz a very good backup for two more years afterwards.
Signing Jarrett brings the salary up to $39,143,509 with $14,856,491 left to spend.
Next up is shooting guard. I feel the Jazz will bring Foye back and Corbin will play him behind Alec. This season is really about the youth and Corbin knows that and the front office doesn't expect him to win and he knows that as well. He'll go for development rather than best chance of winning. Sign him to a 4 year 16 millions dollar deal with an early termination option.
Salary is up to $43,143,509 with $10,856,491 left to spend.
Power forward. One guy that really stood out to me out of all the other PF's was J.J. Hickson. He played for the Blazers last season as a center but he's more suited to play the four. He has trouble defensively but he's a terrific rebounder with 10.4 RPG and a decent scorer at 12.7 PPG. From what I've read he's a great teammate and an extremely hard worker. At 24 he could fit in with the young nucleus. Take a chance at him with a 3 year 21 million dollar deal and an early termination option.
Salary is at $50,143,509 with $3,856,491 left to spend.
Finally the center position. The guy I've been jonesin on has been DeJuan Blair. He's been pushed behind Tiago Splitter and Boris Diaw and could be a great backup center to Derrick. Because of his ties to San Antonio, Dennis Lindsey could look to bring DeJuan Blair to Utah. He does okay offensively when given the chance and is a beast rebounding the ball and is also a pretty great defender. He has great work ethic and again, is a young guy who could fit with the young team. 2 year 8 million should do the job.
Salary is at $54,143,509 with no more left to spend and $4,356,491 under the salary cap.
Roster:
Jack, Burke, McNeal
Burks, Foye
Hayward, Evans, Williams
Kanter, Hickson
Favors, Blair, Gobert
Anyway, ya. That's sort of what I hope to see next season.