Looking ahead to 2025-2026

[SoberasHotRod]

This has been discussed a little bit already, but I think it's an interesting topic and wanted to see how the board is generally feeling. If we get Flagg in the draft, or whoever you think we should get with the first pick, what should the Jazz do then?

Let's pretend that we have traded away one of Collins or Sexton at the deadline, we land Flagg in the draft, we owe a top 8 protected pick to OKC in the 2026 draft that looks very strong, our young guys are making slow, but steady progress. We will likely have a bunch of expiring contracts. How should the FO approach the rest of the off season?

 

[Tanktastic]

No matter what happens in terms of everything else: get an actual PG.

That's what everyone else, including Flagg, needs for their development and to get the team to play the basketball that can one day be successful.

 

[NUMBERICA]

-Really try to trade Sexton and JC without getting fleeced too badly at the deadline. Get (reasonably projectable) top-40 draft assets for ‘26, ‘28, ‘30,and/or ‘31, and/or swap rights on ‘27/‘29 if possible.
-trade Lauri in the off-season or during the season next year (assuming he is tradable or bounces back).

If the Jazz trade out of their vets - even if they hit twice in the draft - they will be worse next year. Lauri’s not on the timeline, I doubt Sexton re-signs, and Collins’ fit is still questionable to me (though much smoother if Lauri is gone, though the inverse is also true).

 

[slc]

Even as great as Wemby has been and will be Spurs still got the #4 pick last year and may get another top 5 this year
So even if Jazz get Flagg they may still finish top 8 in 26 and not have to give that pick to OKC

 

[NUMBERICA]

-Really try to trade Sexton and JC without getting fleeced too badly at the deadline. Get (reasonably projectable) top-40 draft assets for ‘26, ‘28, ‘30,and/or ‘31, and/or swap rights on ‘27/‘29 if possible.
-trade Lauri in the off-season or during the season next year (assuming he is tradable or bounces back).

If the Jazz trade out of their vets - even if they hit twice in the draft - they will be worse next year. Lauri’s not on the timeline, I doubt Sexton re-signs, and Collins’ fit is still questionable to me (though much smoother if Lauri is gone, though the inverse is also true).

Let me append this by saying that since the Jazz will have Lauri heading into the off-season no matter what, they should still try to see if they can land a legit star player (without sending Lauri and their pick this year) if they luck out in the draft. It is just REALLY hard to land those players before the age of ~34 for a reasonable price if they’re even available at all (hence one of the main reasons for tanking).

Or maybe with a top-3 pick they can create a package where they can trade for Giannis and Dame (Giannis, Dame, Lauri big 3) and steal a ring in a year or two (I probably wouldn’t, though).

 

[SoberasHotRod]

Tanking with Lauri would once again be the best case scenario for the Jazz next year, but it is more risky with lesser protections on the pick we owe and hopefully an improved young core. I think it's better to pick a direction, and probably the tanking direction, but this year has been pretty rough.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I picked number 1 but I am trying to get in Danny Ainge's head and here is what I came up with...

Be opportunistic. Danny actually has one of those motivational posters in his wall that says "be opportunistic" and has some nature picture with a dumb statement underneath it. If the opportunity comes to get like a Cam Johnson... guy in his 20s that fits and the price is right... go for it. It seems those guys are on sale for less than they should. Is Zach Lavine still basically free... go ahead and take that bet. If he's hurt oh well then the opportunity is to tank... if he's good then we build with the other picks we own.

The 2026 draft does seem like a huge opportunity and when the swing is "top 8 pick or nada" that is a reason to stay patient.

I love Lauri and it would be really doing him dirty in some ways with the amount of buy in that he has had BUT if someone came with a big offer... go on ahead and make a move. That's what the money is for.

Also side note. We are all gonna struggle with figuring things out because I think Danny Ainge is like Peyton Manning. There is a general play call but he steps up to the line and then diagnoses what he thinks is needed based on the defensive setup. No idea if it is good or bad but I think that is just what it is.

 

[homeytennis]

I picked number 1 but I am trying to get in Danny Ainge's head and here is what I came up with...

Be opportunistic. Danny actually has one of those motivational posters in his wall that says "be opportunistic" and has some nature picture with a dumb statement underneath it. If the opportunity comes to get like a Cam Johnson... guy in his 20s that fits and the price is right... go for it. It seems those guys are on sale for less than they should. Is Zach Lavine still basically free... go ahead and take that bet. If he's hurt oh well then the opportunity is to tank... if he's good then we build with the other picks we own.

The 2026 draft does seem like a huge opportunity and when the swing is "top 8 pick or nada" that is a reason to stay patient.

I love Lauri and it would be really doing him dirty in some ways with the amount of buy in that he has had BUT if someone came with a big offer... go on ahead and make a move. That's what the money is for.

Also side note. We are all gonna struggle with figuring things out because I think Danny Ainge is like Peyton Manning. There is a general play call but he steps up to the line and then diagnoses what he thinks is needed based on the defensive setup. No idea if it is good or bad but I think that is just what it is.

Omaha, Omaha, Omaha.

 

[KqWIN]

It depends on what’s out there, but I’d lean towards trading Lauri in any situation. I'm a little spooked by his contract and our ability to return value on it.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It depends on what’s out there, but I’d lean towards trading Lauri in any situation. I'm a little spooked by his contract and our ability to return value on it.

I'm not worried about that really at all. Like you think its a Tobias Harris, Lavine situation? Either way we can endure an underproducing max guy during the rebuild.

I can't decide if we landed Cooper if we are more or less likely to move Lauri. You'd have a chance to likely get some solid returning value on his deal and maybe set the franchise up for 10 years if you somehow landed Cooper and one of Dybansta, Boozer, Peterson... on top of all the other prospects and draft assets we have.

Not sure how much we'd have to peel off to tank next year with Flagg/Lauri/Kessler. Also not sure at that point if we can hit the gas fast enough after peeling off some of that infrastructure.

Personally I don't know what I would want to do but I think Ainge would lean into "eff it we ball" mode if we landed Flagg and still had Lauri and Walker. It might require a good win now opportunity on the cheap to light that fire a bit but I could see them thinking other teams will provide the draft picks we need to hit another home run.

There are like 3-4 mini pivot points that will steer where this goes. We suck but its at least more interesting than some sucky teams... shrug.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think it will be hard for Trader Danny to resist if guys like Ingram, Lavine, Paul George? etc. go on sale or stay on sale for super cheap. There are some things that are coming available that historically have been more expensive than in the past. Even Cam Johnson's price is pretty reasonable. If we don't move Collins or Sexton this deadline it could be they have no good value as some suggest... or it could be the plan is to really hit the gas if the lotto goes our way.

 

[HeatCheck]

I think Locke already let the cat out of the bag and they are fully prepared to tank for a few seasons.

Maybe all that changes if they land a top 2 pick this year but I would bet against it.