Jazz actively trying to move down from #3

[cowhide]

Humphries was 19 when the Jazz drafted him with one year of college ball. I think everyone saw his body and thought this guy is going to be a monster. So I think he was a little overrated but he didn't fit the Jazz system and so Sloan got impatient with him and tied him to the bench. Humphries has worked hard to be a decent role player in the league. I wouldn't say he is a bust. Same with D-Stevens, he has been in the league for 10 years now. He talks to much but he is a decent role player on a good team. I bet if you looked back on that draft there are a lot of guys not even in the league. Synder was a nut case and was a bad pick.

The way I remember the Maynor situation was Harping's signing was the reason why the Jazz had to ditch him. Re-signing Matt was a mistake because of his bad knees.

 

[Stifle Tower]

The way I remember the Maynor situation was Harping's signing was the reason why the Jazz had to ditch him. Re-signing Matt was a mistake because of his bad knees.

Harpring was signed WAY before Maynor was drafted. Are you perhaps thinking of Millsap?
After Utah had matched Portland's offer for Millsap and Boozer (unexpectedly) and Okur and Korver (as expected) all opted in for the final year of their contracts, , KOC was likely told by Greg that the Jazz could not remain that far over the luxury tax threshold. The Jazz saved around $10M by dumping Maynor (tax penalties for Harp and Maynor + the remainder of Maynor's rookie salary). Why did OKC do it? They were stilll under the tax limit after the deal, needed a backup PG and the remainder of Harp's salary was covered by insurance. So all they paid essentially was Maynor's salary for 1/2 season.

Again, gotta give kudos to KOC for swinging that deal. There were only 2-3 teams with sufficient cap space to absorb Harp's salary without having to give any back. And all KOC had to throw in was a mid-first. Maynor is a pretty good backup, but I don't see him being an impact starter in the league. So definitely expendable.

 

[jimmyjazz]

I think 12-25 is a pretty broad range. There's a vast difference in the types of players available. Out of those players, I only consider Humphries and Snyder true disappointments. Ostertag was a game changer...when he wanted to be. Pavlovic has been a nice player; we lost him in the expansion draft. Brewer was a starter; but pre-season negotiations with his agent went nowhere. Essentially, KOC made a DWiIl-lite deal. Got something for him rather than losing him for nothing. You can thank Carlos for losing Maynor. Jazz anticipated Boozer NOT opting in. Once he did, Utah was forced to cut salary. And the cost for shedding Harpring's deal was Maynor.

Snyder and Humphries were highly-regarded. Look back and you'll see many experts gave the Jazz an "A" after the draft. Who knew Snyder was a nut job and it would take 5 years for Humphries to grow up and decide to add effort to his physical potential? AS for Almond and Koufos, those were probably the BPA's that late in the draft. Almond was a fantastic shooter; Koufos was young and raw with a ton of potential (like Kanter?).

I give kudos to KOC for recognizing the need to move up for DWill and not stay put for Felton. He outsmarted everyone BUT honz with the Hayward pick. AS mentioned, Brewer was a decent selction, as was Maynor. What team drafts better? Portland under Pritchard? Well, they missed on Oden. And traded the DWill pick to Utah and took Webster. OKC? Perhaps. All teams hit on some and whiff on other picks. I'd rank KOC In the top-10, definitely. And that goes for his trades and FA acquistions as well. He's managed to keep the team competitive while losing 2 superstars. Even Boston, Chicago and LA didn't do that post Bird, Jordan and Magic. And now, KOC is rebuilding again after seeing that AK-Boozer-Okur-DWill was fatally flawed, as much by injuries and attitude as defensive liabilities.

KOC's already put a solid core in place, the Jazz are well-positioned financially with AK's contract expired and Okur's coming off next summer. Sure we'd like a championship, but short of that, KOC has done a great job. And no, we're not related.

If you're not related to KOC, you're definitely a glass is always full kind of guy.

Except for DWill and maybe Hayward if he keeps up his late season play, KOC sucks on first round picks. Horrible 1st round draft record for most of around a dozen years he's been GM. Second round's more decent. "Well positioned financially" to attract the next Boozer and Okur? KOC's OK, not "great". OK can only get you so far but maybe for the Jazz that's good enough, which isn't great.