Which direction do you want the team to go the rest of the season?
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fishonjazz
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Korisfani
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It's all gravy.
The Jazz's top assets are
1) Players on the roster
2) Other teams' picks
3) Their own picks
Before the season that wasn't probably many peoples view. But now Markkanen and Kessler are two super-solid future pieces and Ochai and Sexton seem like they might have a role as well. Also, the value of the Minny picks has gone up quite a bit.
Teams that go full-on, bottom-feed tanking usually only have their own picks and no other real assets = only option is to maximize the value of those. In that scenario they're also building up from pretty much zero. Whereas with the Jazz quite a few FA players might look at Markkanen and Kessler and think that's gonna be a good team to play for - instead of a 20-win team with all 19yos.
Doesn't mean suddenly trading picks away to get better this season. And if Ainge sees value in trading anyone away, go ahead and pull the trigger on those. However, I don't think an option to tank this season exists. It doesn't make sense and anything this "core" does together in terms of winning, competing, growing and maybe making it to a playoff round is more valuable to the future than upping the Jazz's own pick a couple of spots.
Markkanen has only ever played two play-in games, the rest not even that. In terms winning and competing for a championship some time in the future, you obviously need the right players. Then even if you think you now have the right players in two-three years time or whatevever, if none of them ever has been on a winning team or been to the playoffs, you're still a long way away from actually winning. And now is a good time as any to get that experience.
The Jazz's top assets are
1) Players on the roster
2) Other teams' picks
3) Their own picks
Before the season that wasn't probably many peoples view. But now Markkanen and Kessler are two super-solid future pieces and Ochai and Sexton seem like they might have a role as well. Also, the value of the Minny picks has gone up quite a bit.
Teams that go full-on, bottom-feed tanking usually only have their own picks and no other real assets = only option is to maximize the value of those. In that scenario they're also building up from pretty much zero. Whereas with the Jazz quite a few FA players might look at Markkanen and Kessler and think that's gonna be a good team to play for - instead of a 20-win team with all 19yos.
Doesn't mean suddenly trading picks away to get better this season. And if Ainge sees value in trading anyone away, go ahead and pull the trigger on those. However, I don't think an option to tank this season exists. It doesn't make sense and anything this "core" does together in terms of winning, competing, growing and maybe making it to a playoff round is more valuable to the future than upping the Jazz's own pick a couple of spots.
Markkanen has only ever played two play-in games, the rest not even that. In terms winning and competing for a championship some time in the future, you obviously need the right players. Then even if you think you now have the right players in two-three years time or whatevever, if none of them ever has been on a winning team or been to the playoffs, you're still a long way away from actually winning. And now is a good time as any to get that experience.
We are way ahead of where any of us thought we’d be. We already have an All-Star and borderline All-NBA player. We also have one of the best rookies from the draft who also looks like a building block for the future.
I would look at trading Beasley/KO/Vando. Those three could be traded for players and picks. I think we wouldn’t really miss a beat without them and we could potentially be even better with more playing time for the young guys. That is the best case scenario in my opinion.
Plus on top of everything we are going to get a lottery pick from Minnesota.
I would look at trading Beasley/KO/Vando. Those three could be traded for players and picks. I think we wouldn’t really miss a beat without them and we could potentially be even better with more playing time for the young guys. That is the best case scenario in my opinion.
Plus on top of everything we are going to get a lottery pick from Minnesota.
Can't go wrong.
Even if we 'tank' by sending out some vets I expect we'll still be a decent squad because Lauri/Kessler/Sexton and other playable guys will be around. So get some value from guys if teams are buying, send Conley somewhere to contend if he wants to, etc. Doesn't matter too much, team will be solid.
Even if we 'tank' by sending out some vets I expect we'll still be a decent squad because Lauri/Kessler/Sexton and other playable guys will be around. So get some value from guys if teams are buying, send Conley somewhere to contend if he wants to, etc. Doesn't matter too much, team will be solid.
Ok bud
Jazz have not been fine without KO. He's a huge loss. Maybe he shouldn't start anymore, but you just saying dumb ****
We are 6-3 without him and one of those losses was at the buzzer to the 76ers without Lauri. I think we have done just fine without him.
fishonjazz
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Lol we are 6-3 without KO. Not only have we been fine, we have been fantastic. Where would that winning percentage have us seeded in the playoffs? I bet we would have homecourt advantage. Its certainly a better winning percentage than our record with KO. We have also had our best player (Lauri) miss his only games while KO was out and sexton was also missing for many of those games and we still went 6-3. If Lauri and sexton miss zero games while KO was out then our record without him, which is already great, would probably be even better.
You die on all your horrible take hills dont you. Its ok to just say you were wrong once in a while dude.
SoberasHotRod
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Good Post. Our own pick is the one we have control over in a deep draft, so that's still more valuable in my opinion, but would agree that having Lauri and Kessler break out this season has given us a lot to build around.
I'm not 100% sure how valuable, "playoff experience" is? I personally still think getting a better contributor from the draft is more important. The reason I voted for don't care is that I'm just not sure our potential for wins/losses has that much of a range.
ok bud.
Yes, I will die on the KO has been very good this year and helps us win games hill. Please take your stupid small sample size BS you are pulling and shove it up your ***.
Didnt even bother reading after that statement. Jesus Christ.
Handlogten's Heros
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It’s wild to me how much some still under rate Conley… I get some nights he looks washed but even then he gets everyone in the right spots and makes everyone better. He’s a guy we won’t realize how important he is until he’s gone or truly is washed. Part of the reason we need him is we have truly ****** passing… if he was gone for long stretches the tunnel vision on this team would be incredible. It’s why I’d really focus on landing Anthony Black… having a guy who is looking to setup others is critical for us.
gomretat
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I agree with everything except I really like Beasley. He is a pure shooter and he works hard defensively. His ability to stretch the floor off the bench is a great thing. That being said, I would guess he is not the trading block.
gomretat
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Amen. Even when the numbers dont show it he is the one who makes everything work. I love Sexton's energy but I really dont think he is ready to run it. Not sure I will ever think that. Even when his assist numbers are up, the ball still sticks a lot when he is on the floor.
Do we actually have the assets to catch up to the griz, thunder and pelicans though? I don't think we do if our own draft picks are in the 15-22 range. The young talent gap is already massive between us and those 3 teams. The thunder upside is downright scary when you take into account the future picks they have in the pipeline.
You think he works hard defensively?
Sexton is never going to be ready to run it. Hardy is a genius for using him the way he is.
We are more or less seeing Sexton's ceiling currently. Hopefully he can stay healthy and continue to play with a high level of attacking speed, because once his athleticism is gone he is going to be a bad NBA player.
Being ahead of schedule is not always a good thing when building for the future. It may force us to miss out on the most important acquisition phase and completely cap our upside. Also there is no guarantee that Minny pick is in the lottery at this point.
Grady DIck, Jarace Walker, Cason Wallace, Jett Howard, Cam Whitmore, Ausuar Thompson, Keyonte George, Anthony Black, GG Jackson.
These guys could all be available in that 8-14 range and if you are making the playoffs you are going to miss out on them. They could be the difference between you being a real contender 3-4 years down the line and not being a real contender.
These guys could all be available in that 8-14 range and if you are making the playoffs you are going to miss out on them. They could be the difference between you being a real contender 3-4 years down the line and not being a real contender.