Cotton Making Life Difficult for Trey Burke

[gregbroncs]

Cotton's been making a point to facilitate the offense and has still managed to put up solid #'s. The Jazz would be foolish to cut a player of his quality. Regardless of position, He's a bargain. At this point it'd be crazy to say Shane Larkin is discernibly better than Based Cotton.

He can push the pace, he can shoot, he's shifty and is at-least serviceable running point. That's more than enough to retain him considering his age(younger than rookie Delon Wright) and deal.

Cotton's probably clutch too, anyone who saw him shut down the big east tournament knows he's not afraid to take the big shot. For those who don't recall, Providence had no chance to make the NCAA tournament unless they snatched the automatic bid by winning the Big East tournament, and they did, with Bryce carrying them every step of the way....



Many teams around the league would be looking at Bryce if he were cut. The other 'fringe' players the Jazz have cannot make that claim, they're still 10-day contract status.

Great post. At this point I'd rather the Jazz cut all of the following before Cotton: Burke, Millsap, Cooley, Chris Johnson, Jerrett. I'd Keep Cotton over all 5 of those players. I don't think the Jazz will cut Millsap or Burke for nothing but I see more NBA potential and skill for Cotton than any of those other 5 guys.

 

[Maneesh]

As a Cotton homer, and NOT a Utah Jazz fan, I would really like to see Cotton move to another team. Clearly, Exum is your guy and I believe/know Cotton can be a starter/ significant minutes back-up. With 5 PG's in contention there are plenty of other teams out there that don't have a starting PG none the less a back-up PG.

This guy is so much worser than the Arroyo and Kanter fans.

 

[Maneesh]

Well, you know I'm a Cotton homer as well. Un guaranteed contracts. Those guys are all auditioning in Vegas. If he doesn't make the final Jazz roster, and continues to play as well as he has, no problem, he has proven he can play at this level, and he will play in this League. Although I'll follow his career start to wherever the finish line is, I think he can emerge as a fan favorite in Utah, and get significant minutes for certain. And I would really like to see him grow as a player under the guidance of Quin Snyder. Just my opinion, but I don't think he could ask for a better coach to help him develop and utilize his strengths. Also, just my opinion, but I suspect the Jazz FO are thinking along the lines of Cotton can do as well or better then TB for somewhat better $$. If they can't get value for Burke as yet, they may carry. 4 PG's until they can get such value.

All that said, I do understand your sentiment. I've been to Utah a few times in my life, really like that neck of the woods, easier for me to adopt the Jazz as a team I can root for. And I really like the youthful togetherness of the guys on this team. So, all in all, I hope he makes the Jazz roster. But, at this point, he'll be signed by someone. Holding onto him through to training camp might hurt him if he isn't going to make it with the Jazz. But, my gut feeling is he will be on this roster to start next season.

You are on of the best player fans we can have on this board ever. I wish more can be like you. Serious!

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

Let's simplify this so we can cut out all the hand-wringing and debating: Cotton is making this team and will be playing meaningful minutes for the Jazz. The odd man out is Burke, we already know this. As soon as there's a a chance to rid ourselves of him, it's gonna happen.

If you're a Cotton fan and you worry about his minutes on the Jazz, fret not. Kids gonna get a chance.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Stupid article with factual errors. Neto has been throwing no look passes into teammates for two years? Ummm, Neto didn't play summer league last season. Year before he played a few games and had 4 assists a couple of times. Trey had two games with 5 assists.

As much as I hate Trey's game, I'm really not sure Neto is a better PG. He sure hasn't shown it in Europe where his shooting has been every bit as bad as Trey's. The ONLY argument you can make right now is Neto doesn't insist on beign ball-dominant and shooting 13 shots/per game, even when he's cold (which is pretty much always).

To those who think Cotton/Neto wouldn't be a good backup situation behind Exum, I'd say Burke/Neto isn't a significant upgrade. Jazz should look to trade Trey now for a future draft pick.

Instead, I think Utah will keep Trey, Cotton and Cooley and cut Johnson. That's a shame because I think C. Johnson has had a helluva summer league thus far. I'd rate him as our 4th best wing ahead of Ingles and Millsap. He's quick and it appears he's really worked on his shooting.

 

[Red]

As a Cotton homer, and NOT a Utah Jazz fan, I would really like to see Cotton move to another team. Clearly, Exum is your guy and I believe/know Cotton can be a starter/ significant minutes back-up. With 5 PG's in contention there are plenty of other teams out there that don't have a starting PG none the less a back-up PG.

I should shut up, but ya know what? I'm gonna allay your fears altogether.

All he has to do is make this roster. Think about it. He's on a team where 12,000 fans attend a SL game. And the veterans players are on the sidelines. They are hungry for a winner, players and fans alike. Can you see what he's walking into? How much ya wanna bet jersey #8 sells big with the kids? He won't be lost at the end of a bench. You don't have to start to excel, and he will be a fan favorite on an up and coming team. At a time when they are hungry to turn the corner and compete. You see him signal the crowd after the dunk Thursday? He will be a fan favorite, and will certainly earn minutes. Just make the roster, and he will take care of all the rest. It's a perfect landing. Just make the roster. He belongs and he's ready to play. We're gonna love it!

 

[kabenac]

Cotton is showing us what happens when one doesn't jackpot around making fun of special needs people. I look forward to seeing how much he improves. Having four PGs almost certainly means one is traded sometime during the season.

 

[Stifle Tower]

@Red
I really don't see a scenario in which Cotton DOESN'T make the roster. Well, a trade for some great veteran, I suppose. Right now, I think it comes down to C. Johnson vs. Millsap for the final roster spot. Jazz will cut Jerrett and eat the guaranteed portion of his salary in order to keep Cooley.

Wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Jazz trade Burke during training camp. They probably want to see how Neto is going to fit in with the veterans and if his skill set can replace Trey's. I like what Cotton brings to the table. He's an exciting player.

 

[akirac73]

As a Cotton homer, and NOT a Utah Jazz fan, I would really like to see Cotton move to another team. Clearly, Exum is your guy and I believe/know Cotton can be a starter/ significant minutes back-up. With 5 PG's in contention there are plenty of other teams out there that don't have a starting PG none the less a back-up PG.

Coach,
Looking at some of the teams out there with a glaring need for backup PG support, I see teams like Portland, Orlando, Philadelphia, the Knicks, Brooklyn and Indiana. Which one of these dumpster fire teams would you prefer for your guy?
Oh, the Warriors and Clips also need a backup PG but how much playing time do you think Cotton would get behind the two best PG in the game today?

 

[GoFriars]

I should shut up, but ya know what? I'm gonna allay your fears altogether.

All he has to do is make this roster. Think about it. He's on a team where 12,000 fans attend a SL game. And the veterans players are on the sidelines. They are hungry for a winner, players and fans alike. Can you see what he's walking into? How much ya wanna bet jersey #8 sells big with the kids? He won't be lost at the end of a bench. You don't have to start to excel, and he will be a fan favorite on an up and coming team. At a time when they are hungry to turn the corner and compete. You see him signal the crowd after the dunk Thursday? He will be a fan favorite, and will certainly earn minutes. Just make the roster, and he will take care of all the rest. It's a perfect landing. Just make the roster. He belongs and he's ready to play. We're gonna love it!

I see what your'e saying and ideally I would love to see that happen, but I just feel in a very crowded PG spot there won't be enough minutes for Cotton to stand out. As you know, he's a pass first kind of guy so I just feel like it will take a lot to go right for Cotton to be put in that spot. I like the Jazz from what Ive seen and Quin seems like a really great guy but as someone who wants to see the best position for Cotton, I feel like that is else where.

PS already have his jersey

 

[Jazz4ever]

I see what your'e saying and ideally I would love to see that happen, but I just feel in a very crowded PG spot there won't be enough minutes for Cotton to stand out. As you know, he's a pass first kind of guy so I just feel like it will take a lot to go right for Cotton to be put in that spot. I like the Jazz from what Ive seen and Quin seems like a really great guy but as someone who wants to see the best position for Cotton, I feel like that is else where.

PS already have his jersey

If Burke is traded, Cotton could easily be getting 20 minutes a game here. Maybe even more considering Exum can slide over to SG for small ball.
We were willing to give him his first real chance in the NBA, and will reap the benefits.

 

[Maneesh]

I see what your'e saying and ideally I would love to see that happen, but I just feel in a very crowded PG spot there won't be enough minutes for Cotton to stand out. As you know, he's a pass first kind of guy so I just feel like it will take a lot to go right for Cotton to be put in that spot. I like the Jazz from what Ive seen and Quin seems like a really great guy but as someone who wants to see the best position for Cotton, I feel like that is else where.

PS already have his jersey

Where exactly...You see to think he just is an autofill for the majority of starting PG spots in the league. He is in good hands..please quit be so crazy and make yourself look smart and agree with the rest of the BASKETBALL fans. Thanks.