Well, it all started with KOC. Now that some of you are starting to realize this you can thank me later. But, you can't I mean can't be a GM with out a plan and not make the necessary moves even the hard ones if you are going to be a GM of a PROFESSIONAL level team. That was KOC problem was he had no direction he did thing without any plan in place. So, we have moved on and had an awaking. DL came in and he has shaken some stuff up. But, right now he is falling right back not having a plan. Because if we are going to tank and get a high pick he should have moved Williams and Jefferson yesterday. If not we need some more talented players and we should have moved Williams and Jefferson yesterday. Btw his plan should not be copy the San Antonio Spurs because they were just another team until they got Tim Duncan and unless he is going to give the ultimate command of tanking we are not going to even see a player the likes of Tim in Utah.
KOC's directive was to keep the team competitive and in the playoffs. If you ask me, he did a helluva job after Stockton and Malone left. Got Utah to the WC FInals, but saw that due to injuries, attitudes and defensive limitations that the team built around Boozer, AK, Okur and Deron had to be revamped. So, while trying to keep Deron happy and stay in the playoffs, he took a risk on Big Al. Then Sloan quits, Deron won't commit to stay and the big trade happens.
Fast forward to Lindsey who inherits a team caught between two philosophies: should Utah keep key veterans and vie for a playoff spot or should they rebuild? Personally, I don't believe that answer was settled until last summer, when Utah ended negotiations with Millsap and caught Carroll by surprise by not offering a contract.
Lindsey's plan is unfolding on schedule. Please, tell me what a viable deal for Jefferson or Williams would be? Traded salaries have to fit within league rules. And another team has to WANT those players. Look at the other thread and you'll see the market is very narrow for those two because of their high salaries. Even WITHOUT RJ and MW, Utah is not as bad as Milwaukee, Orlando, Boston, etc. So, Utah's schedule got a bit easier, Kanter and Burke are playing great and Hayward has been en fuego. Are we supposed to be upset that our young players are TOO good?
Personally, I'm thrilled that the core-5 all look like "keepers." At worst, IF the Jazz have redundancies at some point, any of those 5 can be valuable trade assets. OK, so we don't get Parker or Wiggins. Before Burke's injury none of us thought that was a remote possibility anyway. So Utah still adds a guy like Vonleh or Gordon. And then another solid player with GS' pick. Now imagine, if instead of tieing up salary on a player that gets dumped to Utah in exchange for a late 1st round pick, Lindsey is able to sign a very good veteran for around $8M. And I'm not talking about a player who is overpaid like Williams or Jefferson. I'm talking about veterans who will be underpaid becuase many teams will be up against the cap or luxury tax. That's not a bad group headed into next season and beyond.