Jackpotting Around Podcast: Episode 9 - What Is The Path Forward From Here?

[Handlogten's Heros]

Dr Ainge is a renowned specialist.

He can only diagnose contusions, impingements, and tummy aches… but he’s excellent at it.

 

[stitches]

Do we want to have the conversation about Lauri now since people were refusing to have it last year, or do we need another wasted year?

 

[stitches]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PL5WHdnii8&ab_channel=GameTheoryPodcastw%2FSamVecenie


Sam Vecenie had a livestream where they went over the Jazz's off-season. Basically broke the Jazz down to needing smarter guard play, better athleticism and perimeter defense.

Sam doesnt seem to believe in Sexton at all. Says the Jazz need to add a PG who can defend and make good decision w/ size. Basically didnt say anything about Sexton at all other than he might just be a bench guard. Was not categorized as a key piece and was lumped in with Collins/Clarkson.

Co-Host suggested Fultz and Sam kind of agreed. I completely disagree. Dunn is better. Would be a horrendous move imo, especially if he cost anything above the MLE.

Also suggested Melton, Bruce Brown, and Ja'Sean Tate (suggested to trade 32 for Tate and extend, no thanks. Would be wild to effectively trade Simone for Tate, who is older).

Sam says perfect fit in the draft is Stephon Castle. Also named Risacher, Holland, Topic, and Matas.

Also said Derrick Jones Jr to add athleticism.

Made fun of the Jazz for trading Simone.

Said Utah would be a good fit for a Giddey trade.

Quite honestly, right now moves on the margins are not what will change the fortunes of this team. IMO the biggest problem of the Jazz right now is that we don't have a player to build around. We don't have the big piece(or two) that drives winning and competitiveness. A lot of people seem to think Lauri can be that, but IMO he's never really driven winning at high level. Don't get me wrong... he's a great piece to have ... once you have your guy. But if you rely on him to be THE GUY, IMO we are not going far. We need high end talent who can initiate offense at high level AND create for teammates.

Is Keyonte capable of being that? Maybe? But I'm far from certain and I don't know how anybody can have any sort of certainty about it. The chance he's a sixth man type in the league are probably higher than him being a top 10-15 type of player. Vecenie was right about our guard rotation - are we sure we don't have like... 5 sixth man type guards on the roster?

So how do we get THE GUY? Well... for a team like Utah the possibilities are probably 2 - draft him(and develop him), or trade for him. Next year's draft is supposed to be really good(Cooper Flagg?)... IMO nothing should be off the table. We already made a mistake not going all in for Wemby. And yes... I know the chances for landing the top pick are like 14% even if you have the worst record in the league. But what's the chance of getting that guy if you pick 9th or 10th.

 

[underdog]

He can only diagnose contusions, impingements, and tummy aches… but he’s excellent at it.

Yeah, Danny must’ve had a “little chat” with Lauri’s doctors. Losing only by one point against the Rockets even without Lauri was too close for comfort. Hope this works and we get the 8th pick.

 

[homeytennis]

Do we want to have the conversation about Lauri now since peope were refusing to have it last year, or do we need another wasted year?

The Jazz have an option to pick up this off season. I suppose if Ainge is in total tank mode the Jazz don't pick it up which would be r dumb dumb dumb.

 

[Flc]

Think it would be awesome for you guys to do an end of season reflection and offseason prediction pod with both Larsen and Jones.