Following potential 2015 draftees

[karl malone]

To those saying that #12/Burks/Burke for Hezonja is too much:

You're right in the sense that it's an overpay, but (imo) you're wrong about it being too much. With the prospects likely to be available at #12, giving up a 6th man (on this roster), who is a questionable fit in this system, is coming off of a major injury, & has yet to prove he is worth the lucrative contract extension that he signed (although it admittedly could become a steal eventually), & a likely backup PG, who may not even stick in the league, plus our pick, for a player who has arguably the best combination of offensive potential, 3 pt shooting, & athleticism (when offense & 3 pt shooting are our biggest needs) is not too much.

This is likely our last chance at acquiring that final all-star caliber 5th starter, who brings the offense & 3 pt shooting that is necessary alongside our other starters, while having the length & athleticism to play plus defense. If giving up Burks, who I like, is what it takes to acquire what could possibly make the difference between being playoff regulars & legitimate championship contenders, it would be silly to not do so. 6th men (Burks), backup PG's (Burke), & 3rd bigs (likely options at #12) are replaceable, 6'8 SG/SF's who have the potential to score 20 ppg, shoot 40% from 3 pt, & play plus defense are not.

 

[Doublea]

I wouldn't call Burks surgery major. A major surgery is something with the feet or knees. His contract isn't bad at all either. I'd rather gamble on Burks.

 

[Elizah Huge]

Per 40 Minutes, stats at Kansas:

Andrew Wiggins - 20.8 PPG on 14.7 FGA per game, 7.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 45% from field, 34% from three.

Kelly Oubre - 17.6 PPG on 13.1 FGA per game, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 44% from field, 36% from three.

I'm obviously not saying Oubre is better or is going to be better than Wiggins, but damn he compares well as far as stats go. Oubre had a 92.6 defensive rating while Wiggins had a 102.8 (the lower the rating the better). Marcus Smart had a 92.3 defensive rating in college last year just for a comparative stand point.

Oubre shot 36% from three this year on 95 attempts and had a great defensive rating. This guy could be the ultimate 3 and D player, but also the potential to be better than that.

 

[BENTLEY]

Burks has already somewhat proven himself. Maybe people forgot what with his not playing much last year due to injury. But his game reminds me of Wade. He is an AND1 monster.

Hezonja? Looks good, but ya never know.

 

[Doublea]

Per 40 Minutes, stats at Kansas:

Andrew Wiggins - 20.8 PPG on 14.7 FGA per game, 7.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 45% from field, 34% from three.

Kelly Oubre - 17.6 PPG on 13.1 FGA per game, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 44% from field, 36% from three.

I'm obviously not saying Oubre is better or is going to be better than Wiggins, but damn he compares well as far as stats go. Oubre had a 92.6 defensive rating while Wiggins had a 102.8 (the lower the rating the better). Marcus Smart had a 92.3 defensive rating in college last year just for a comparative stand point.

Oubre shot 36% from three this year on 95 attempts and had a great defensive rating. This guy could be the ultimate 3 and D player, but also the potential to be better than that.

Is a wing more important to pick up than a big for the Jazz?

 

[BENTLEY]

I'm surprised how Kaminsky's stock has plummeted amongst jazzfanzers. Why?

Not because of the Wondo's tweet (or whatever that place is called).

Is it because he said he only wants to go to 3 places and Utah wasn't one of them?

 

[stitches]

I'm surprised how Kaminsky's stock has plummeted amongst jazzfanzers. Why?

Not because of the Wondo's tweet (or whatever that place is called).

Is it because he said he only wants to go to 3 places and Utah wasn't one of them?

Recency bias. If we see Kaminsky in Utah next week, he'd probably get some hype back ...

 

[Stifle Tower]

For real, strong source.

Rae @Rae_Of_Samshine
We saw Frank Kaminsky come into Wandos with a girl on each arm. He ignored everyone and acted like a jerk. Walked out by himself. #KARMA

Translation: "Frank walked into Wandos with two women. He just wanted to get some food without being bothered and didn't want to take selfies with everybody. Also he left them there and walked out by himself apparently and I'm jealous that he is famous and going to make millions of dollars."

A big who is a strong rebounder, all about offense, has a girl on each arm and is arrogant. It's feels like deja vu...all over again!

 

[BENTLEY]

Is a wing more important to pick up than a big for the Jazz?

Good question. They always answer BPA. But to answer your question I think the wing position is more crowded than the front court. There's somewhat of a need in the frontcourt. But if the FO thinks one of the wings will be a superstar then they gotta draft him.

 

[Ron Mexico]

Is a wing more important to pick up than a big for the Jazz?

We can get a backup center in FA or another wing. Just take BPA imo. Its not like rookie bigs help that much.

 

[karl malone]

To Doublea:

I probably overstated the severity of his injury & risk of his contract, but the fact that Burks needs the ball in his hands to create &, while improving, is unlikely to ever be a great 3 pt shooter, likely keeps him out of the starting lineup. As much as I like Hood, I don't think it is wise to bank on him becoming our 5th starter. Burks' future is limited on this roster (imo), while Hezonja has the potential to be an all-star & the perfect compliment to Exum, Hayward, Favors, & Gobert.

 

[stitches]

Good question. They always answer BPA. But to answer your question I think the wing position is more crowded than the front court. There's somewhat of a need in the frontcourt. But if the FO thinks one of the wings will be a superstar then they gotta draft him.

The thing is the wing/guards rotation is more crowded but is less established(i.e. whoever we draft has better chance to get the starting job in a year or two and be our long-term starter). WIth the bigs - we have fewer of them, but chance is - whoever we draft he won't be able to take either Rudy's or Favors' starting spot any time soon...

So yah... I don't know about that... If we get to choose between a big and a wing that are equal quality according to our FO, it will be interesting to know which one they'd choose. I have no idea... What do you guys think?

To me, I think I'd favor the wing, because it will give us the biggest jump in quality of play (minutes included in the consideration) if the guy pans out. For example, I can see Oubre or Johnson becoming a much better player than Burks(I'm not saying they will, but that there is a good enough chance one of them will), while I don't think it's very likely for Turner or Kaminsky to ever become better than Favors or Gobert.