83%, AK is the weakest link

[freakazoid]

I mentioned a specific stretch of games in which AK played very well. Am I wrong? Did he not play well during that period of time?

The way I remember it, Utah went on a run right after Sloan put AK back into the starting line-up.

Sloan even made a comment to the effect that if he had been smarter, he would have had him there the whole time. AK definitely had an impact for us in the 2nd half of the season.

Some people have selective memories.

 

[NotDeadYet]

One comment; AK in fact did log significant minutes at PF last year. I'm betting most of those blocks and steals occured with him in the paint. A huge part of AK's game is his versatility. He's known as a shot blocker and offensive rebounder; all-round hustle player. The only thing he does particulariy well outside the paint is pass the ball. I'd much rather see him backing up Millsap at PF this year. With Big Al starting at C and Memo coming off the bench, I think we'd have a very good 1-2 punch!
With the changes that have already occured to our roster, I don't expect us to move AK unless a really good deal taps on KoC's door...

 

[candrew]

If the Jazz plan on contending they cannot dump AK, its that simple. We have no MLE next year, and won't be that far from the cap which equals no flexibility to make any improvements by free agency. However, we do own AK's bird rights so can go over and still hold onto him for (hopefully) 6-8 million a year. Now Im all for getting talent in return for him in a trade, but dumping him makes no sense at all.

Hey, someone making sense.

They signed AK to a max deal during the season when they could have waited.

They didn't trade him for Shawn Marion when offered.

They talked him into coming back to Utah when he essentially told the franchise screw you I'm going back to Russia.

Now, after all that, people around here think Utah is just going to dump his contract simply because it's expiring and may present some sort value to other teams.

People need to stop dreaming. Like it or not, this franchise has bent over backwards to keep AK, warts and all, in Utah. Unless The Jazz collapse next season you can bet he'll play out his contract just like they did with Boozer last year.

 

[carolinajazz]

It's apparant that AK's best days are behind him. I see no reason why we don't move him this year for either a stud 2 guard or a shot blocking 5.

...yeah, I'm sure there are a bunch of teams out there that would love to give us a stud 2 guard or a shot blocking 5 guy....for a player who's best days are behind him....with a ridiculous cap eating contract!!!

 

[SaltyDawg]

Hey, someone making sense.

They signed AK to a max deal during the season when they could have waited.

They didn't trade him for Shawn Marion when offered.

They talked him into coming back to Utah when he essentially told the franchise screw you I'm going back to Russia.

Now, after all that, people around here think Utah is just going to dump his contract simply because it's expiring and may present some sort value to other teams.

People need to stop dreaming. Like it or not, this franchise has bent over backwards to keep AK, warts and all, in Utah. Unless The Jazz collapse next season you can bet he'll play out his contract just like they did with Boozer last year.

Keep in mind, the reason the Jazz did all that stuff to keep AK was because Larry Miller personally wanted to keep AK. KOC had several deals worked out to get rid of AK (Marion, Carter, etc) and Larry Miller rejected them.

With Greg Miller running the show now, it's far more likely that something could get done to move AK. However, it's also pretty likely that his contract just expires because Greg Miller wants the savings.

Letting his contract expire does not mean we just lose him for nothing though. He could very well be signed and traded (even for a TPE) like Boozer was.

 

[Stickler]

Or, he could even be kept, signed to a fair contract, and continue to help us win games for years to come. Just an insane thought.

 

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

With Greg Miller running the show now, it's far more likely that something could get done to move AK. However, it's also pretty likely that his contract just expires because Greg Miller wants the savings.

does NJ still have the cap space to absorb AK's ridiculous salary? we all know he's certain to be traded there... right?

Letting his contract expire does not mean we just lose him for nothing though. He could very well be signed and traded (even for a TPE) like Boozer was.

that TPE would not be anything like the Boozer TPE. what do you all think he'll sign for next year? mid-level?

 

[Archie Moses]

I am willing to trade myself to the Jazz to replace AK.

 

[GVC]

We have no MLE next year

eh?

 

[SaltyDawg]

does NJ still have the cap space to absorb AK's ridiculous salary? we all know he's certain to be traded there... right?



that TPE would not be anything like the Boozer TPE. what do you all think he'll sign for next year? mid-level?

I don't know how much cap space New Jersey has, but I know they have some (a lot) and they are probably interested in AK...

The TPE may not be of Boozer proportions, but it would likely be better than the TPE we got for Harpring (which is good enough to get us Gortat right now).

 

[billyshelby]

eh?

Kenwood could probably clarify this, but my amateur reading of Coon goes like this (rough numbers): If AK walks, the Jazz are at 51/52. Cap this year is 58, just say it stays the same. That puts them 7 under. Exceptions (Bi/Mid/TPE's) are added to the Cap figure which would put them over. In that scenario, the Jazz would technically have 7/8 mil in Cap Space, but would only be able to use their MLE/Bi/TPE's, not the Cap Space + those exceptions. Alternately, they could renounce the exceptions and have their full Cap Space. That's why I'm wondering, not stating as fact, that extending AK at the 7 gives us AK + full use of our Exceptions.