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Did the Jazz Screw Up in Trading for Big Al?

Cyrone Torbin said:
What other option did we have?
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When the Jazz decided not to give Boozer $80 million, they had a list of 8 or 10 PF prospects they were interested in. Al Jefferson was reportedly #2 on that list. I'm not sure who #1 was, but ostensibly one option would have been to offer a big long-term deal to David Lee. I actually liked the Big Al signing overall, and still do. The problem with the Jazz has mainly been backcourt play, outside shooting and the lack of other scoring options in the half court set. Al was entering his prime and was on a 3-year deal. It wasn't a bad move, imo. The Jazz saved $40 million on Boozer, moved Millsap into the starting line-up and kept a bit more flexibility. David Lee wouldn't have been able to play center next to Millsap and doesn't really defend better than Al does.

As much as people complain about Al, he still leads the team in scoring and rebounding, and the league still regards him as our "best" player.

Edit: After the DWill/Sloan fiasco, the Jazz have been holding Al as an asset while rebuilding. Al has helped Kanter develop and has helped keep the Jazz competitive.
 
Boozer would have stayed in Utah if the Jazz wanted him. I believe that. The guy was from Alaska and made the Olympic team in Utah. The Jazz were tired of Boozer's injuries, lack of effort and desire to "get paid regardless." Giving up Boozer wasn't a bad move at all.
 
Catchall said:
When the Jazz decided not to give Boozer $80 million, they had a list of 8 or 10 PF prospects they were interested in. Al Jefferson was reportedly #2 on that list. I'm not sure who #1 was, but ostensibly one option would have been to offer a big long-term deal to David Lee. I actually liked the Big Al signing overall, and still do. The problem with the Jazz has mainly been backcourt play, outside shooting and the lack of other scoring options in the half court set. Al was entering his prime and was on a 3-year deal. It wasn't a bad move, imo. The Jazz saved $40 million on Boozer, moved Millsap into the starting line-up and kept a bit more flexibility. David Lee wouldn't have been able to play center next to Millsap and doesn't really defend better than Al does.

As much as people complain about Al, he still leads the team in scoring and rebounding, and the league still regards him as our "best" player.

Edit: After the DWill/Sloan fiasco, the Jazz have been holding Al as an asset while rebuilding. Al has helped Kanter develop and has helped keep the Jazz competitive.
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I think that Cyrone was asking about what the Jazz were going to do about a CENTER since that's what they were short, and what Jefferson has played almost exclusively for the last 5 years.
 
^^^ Hmm. Good point. The Jazz were planning to play Millsap as the starter at PF, so yes, the open spot was center or a PF/C. I don't know what else was out there in terms of sign-and-trade or free agents. Nothing comes to mind, except possibly a Chris Kamman journeyman type. I'm sure the Jazz explored Boozer trades, but never heard of anything almost happening. Maybe a guy like Gortat or Okafor was available in one way or another.
 
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