Jefferson should officially be on the trading block

[Beantown]

Hi everyone, longtime lurker, first time poster, Jazz fan since '86. I agree with everyone that as offensively talented as Big Al is, he kills ball movement and should probably be traded. Here's my proposal: trade Big Al to Samuel Dalembert of the Rockets and a 1st rounder. Why does it work?

1) He would be reunited with Kevin McHale, who tutored him on his post moves in MN and from what I remember, is still a fan of Big Al; 2) their salaries match up, according to the ESPN Trade Machine; and 3) Dalembert is a defensive center who won't kill ball movement, and has come off the bench before, whereas Big Al most likely won't accept a bench role. And most importantly, he'll allow Favors and Kanters to develop more so than Big Al.

So Favors would be the starting C, boosting his development. Millsap would start at PF, making him happy, and giving him a C who can actually rotate and rebound, 2 things Big Al can't/won't do. I would also put Howard at starting SF, since he obviously plays well with Harris. Hayward at SG also for obvious reasons (playmaker, shotmaker). Dalembert and Kanter would share backup C duties, CJ subs in for Howard and occasionally Hayward, Burks/Bell for Hayward, Watson/Tinsley for Harris. Then watch them develop!

Houston would bite.

 

[juche68]

Also, the Rockets tried to get Gasol and settled for Dalembert, so they're clearly looking for a more traditional postup C to replace Yao. Big Al fits the bill.

 

[juche68]

Finally, I'm sure Big Al desperately wants to be on a playoff-bound team, and the Jazz are most likely not going to make it this year. The Rockets have a much better chance, especially with him, Scola, KMartin, and Lowry. It's a win-win. Make it happen KO!

 

[Matthew Thomas Castleton]

Also, the Rockets tried to get Gasol and settled for Dalembert, so they're clearly looking for a more traditional postup C to replace Yao. Big Al fits the bill.

That is why I think that we could pry Kevin Martin from them if we give Jefferson. I posted this trade in another thread. We could also include Bell in the trade and take Thabeet off their hands to replace Jefferson. Seems like a pretty even trade to me. Replacing Raja in the starting lineup with a 20-ppg player in Martin would instantly make us a playoff contender. Depth Chart:

PG: Devin Harris, Earl Watson, Jamaal Tinsley
SG: Kevin Martin, C.J. Miles, Alec Burks
SF: Gordon Hayward, Josh Howard, Jeremy Evans
PF: Paul Millsap, Jeremy Evans, Enes Kanter
C: Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Hasheem Thabeet

 

[juche68]

I like Kevin Martin's offensive game, but he doesn't play defense and is incredibly injury prone. Plus, that would shift Hayward back to SF, when he really needs to be at SG to better exploit his playmaking abilities. It would also further stifle Burks's development. Though I like getting rid of Bell. But I don't think the Rockets would give up Martin and have Courtney Lee and Bell as their only SGs. I would also be wary of taking on another project C when we already have Kanter. The last time we had 2 project Cs (Koufos, Fes), it didn't work out so well for either of them. But I think we definitely need to work with Houston.

 

[Beantown]

I think Al Jefferson for Jordan Hill and Thabeet works perfectly. It gives the Jazz some young big man depth by continuing the youth movement and doesn't make Houston have to give up a lot.

Millsap/Hill
Favors/Kanter/Thabeet

 

[juche68]

I think Al Jefferson for Jordan Hill and Thabeet works perfectly. It gives the Jazz some young big man depth by continuing the youth movement and doesn't make Houston have to give up a lot.

Millsap/Hill
Favors/Kanter/Thabeet

I think that trade is more realistic but I don't like not having at least 1 veteran C...I would still go for Dalembert and a 1st rounder. I know it's uneven talent-wise, but I would see it as allowing the young talent that already exists on our roster to flourish, while having a capable veteran, defensive-minded C there who doesn't mind coming off the bench.

 

[juche68]

The Mavericks might also be a possible trade partner, since they wanted Big Al 2 years ago before the Jazz got him, to pair him up with Dirk. Nothing really matches up or makes sense on ESPN Trade Machine, but maybe there could be a 3-way trade or KOC can get creative.

 

[Beantown]

I think that trade is more realistic but I don't like not having at least 1 veteran C...I would still go for Dalembert and a 1st rounder. I know it's uneven talent-wise, but I would see it as allowing the young talent that already exists on our roster to flourish, while having a capable veteran, defensive-minded C there who doesn't mind coming off the bench.

Jazz could find a veteran FA center, I just don't think Dalembets age fits with the team. I would rather get some young assets.

 

[LifeOnaPlate]

Not on the trading block yet. But we do need to get him out of the starting lineup. I just no longer think he has the Basketball IQ to play for us in a starting role. His is not the set of shoulders Jazz Basketball should be on.

I thought we did great with Milsap and Favors on the floor together.. they appear to play well. I feel like they have better Chemistry than any other big man combination.

So why not bring Jefferson off the bench and get HIM the 6th man of the year award instead of Milsap? Is his Salary the only reason we haven't thought of this before? The second unit is always less structured than the starters, and I think Jefferson would do better there.

I could be wrong, and I'm not afraid of that, but we can not let this guy lead our team.

Yes, ElRoach, this is exactly my thought process on this matter.

 

[juche68]

Jazz could find a veteran FA center, I just don't think Dalembets age fits with the team. I would rather get some young assets.

Don't we already have enough young assets? Isn't there such a thing as too many young assets? Where's the line between young assets and a Junior Jazz team? But yea, I guess we could find a veteran C somewhere (though Cs in general are a wanted commodity--Kurt Thomas is still in the league). I think I'd rather have Kevin Martin.

 

[Beantown]

Don't we already have enough young assets? Isn't there such a thing as too many young assets? Where's the line between young assets and a Junior Jazz team? But yea, I guess we could find a veteran C somewhere (though Cs in general are a wanted commodity--Kurt Thomas is still in the league). I think I'd rather have Kevin Martin.

If its a straight up Jefferson for Martin the Jazz would be REALLY thin up front.