Joncolton
Well-Known Member
Looking at our backup big men options - because Tony Bradley is (to put it politely) still not ready. And with the breadth of centers available - the Jazz can't possibly make the fans suffer through another season of watching sub par backup bigs. And it's not even necessarily our most important position, but it might be our 2nd or 3rd most important thing to address - unless of course Gobert (God forbid) has an injury that takes him off the floor for any length of the season - it would quickly become a vital thing to address. It's always better to try to fix things before they are broken, look for a new job while you have your current job, and have but not need. That being said, we SERiOUSLY need to upgrade the back up big, and we need to do it via free agency. The center position just takes too long to learn for rookies, even if we could get a lottery pick this season (we can't) they still might not be ready to be a part of the rotation for 2 years.
Here is my breakdown of our dirty dozen of options. I've left out centers who I think aren't Jazz DNA players or wouldn't be remotely interested (D. Howard, D. Cousins) and who we can't afford - Andre Drummond, Montrez Harrell - Mavericks, Bulls and Raptors are reportedly interested (not to mention the Clippers).
Free Agents Include:
1. Derrick Favors - 6'9" 29 y.o. 9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.0 blk, 61% FG, 14% 3P, 56% FT. The first and most obvious choice. We all miss his personality, his ability to finish at the hoop, his rebounding, shot blocking and overall presence. Will Derrick Favors be another Jazz man to leave and return alla Thurl Bailey, Mo Williams, and Kyle Korver? None of the Jazz returns have gone as well as hoped for. And I think sentiment clouds our judgement as there were real problems with the Favors + Gobert tandem, namely that they couldn't be on the floor at the same time very often. He had some trouble staying healthy (again) last season that's likely to continue as it has every season, not to mention the idea of replacing Gobert with someone who shoots WORSE than he does from the free throw line (56% last season) seems ill advised.
2. Aron Baynes - 6'10" 33 y.o. 11.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.5 bpg, 48% FG, 35% 3P, 80% FT. the Jazz were mentioned as interested in Baynes last season when it was rumored the Suns might waive him after trading for him. He's a not only a good shooter, but a great screen-assist guy which would be something the Jazz are sorely lacking when Rudy sits down. Not to mention he could come into late games when we need a 3-pointer and be an option, he could also be an option when we need someone to hit free throws down the stretch. Maybe that might motivate Gobert to finally become a 75+% free throw shooter. He also has played with Joe Ingles on the Aussie national team together a few times, so they may have some instant chemistry.
3. Marc Gasol - 6'11" 35 y.o. 7.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.9 bpg, 43% FG, 39% 3P, 73% FT - His stats might now wow you, but remember he only played about 25 mpg. 39% from 3 is intriguing though as teams have to guard him at the 3, that would open up cutting lanes for Donovan, Conley and Clarkson. And given that Gasol averaged 3.3 apg last season, we know he's a capable passer. And he would have instant chemistry with Mike Conley as they played together for a while with the Grizzlies. One block per game in limited minutes also shows that he's still a capable rim protector, but what jumps out at you is his +/-. He just makes teams better with +10 while he's on the floor. He would be a short-term solution but the Jazz could be handful to defend next year with Gasol, Conley, Mitchell, Clarkson and Bogdanovic on the floor at the same time. The Warriors are reportedly interested in signing him.
4. Serge Ibaka - 7'0" 31 y.o. 15.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 0.8 bpg, 51% FG, 39% 3P, 72% FT - He shoots it about as well as Marc Gasol, but has more energy and bounce at a youthful 31 years old. The rumor is Toronto is going to offer him a one-year 28 million dollar deal - if that materializes the Jazz have no shot at all.
5. Tristan Thompson - 13.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 51.9 FG% - he's looking for a long-term big deal and Cleveland is likely to give it to him. He'd probably have zero interest in getting left-over minutes from Gobert.
6. Hassan Whiteside - see above, but with Portland.
7. Enes Kanter - Enes would be interesting. He definitely has offensive skills that are far above Tony Bradley's but I think the Jazz are looking for defense also.4
8. Robin Lopez- 7'0" 32 y.o. 5.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg 49% FG, 33% 3P, 53% FT (last year - career average is 75%) 0.7 bpg. I wanted this guy for years in a Jazz jersey. He's ring chasing and his best shot is still probably in Milwaukee.
9. Frank Kaminsky 7'0" 27 y.o. - 9.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 45% FG, 33% 3P, 68% FT, 0.3 bpg. - Frank the Tank was supposed to be better than this. That being said, he contributed almost 10 ppg in only 19 minutes of playing time.
10. Willie Cauley-Stein - speaking of people who were supposed to be better. WCS is a backup center looking for a starting center contract. He shot 0% from 3 last season, and 55% from the line.
11. Mason Plumlee - 6'11" 30 y.o. - 7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.6 bpg, 62% FG, 0% 3P, and 53% FT - has really shown his worth in the playoffs this year, grabbing board, setting screens, fouling and bringing energy of the bench. It's not clear how much Denver wants to go over the cap - they have Paul Millsap and Jerami Grant both as free agents already and $105 mil in committed salary. They could bring back all 3, but do you really want to start paying luxury tax penalties for Mason Plumlee?
12. Meyers Leonard - 7'0" 28 y.o. 6.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.3 bpg, 50% FG, 41% 3p, 64% FT (81% career even hit 94% free throws in 2015 - what's up with all these folks having bad years from the line?) - the advantages of him are he's 28 (so he probably has 2-4 years left of his prime) and he can hit shots, he has playoff experience (in a larger role with Portland, now w Miami) and he comes from good teams with good programs.
Off the top of my head, the top 4 choices would be: Favors, Baynes, Gasol and Leonard. So comparing their 36 minutes stats can be useful. Not that they would ever be expected to average 36 mpg, but it gives you an idea how their stats compare in a same minutes situation given they are likely to get limited minutes playing behind Rudy and possibly a few minutes at the 4 spot. The per 36 min stats:
Favors - 13.3 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 0.9 spg, 2.3 apg, 62% FG, 14% 3P, 56% FT
Baynes - 18.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 0.9 bpg, 0.4 spg, 2.6 apg, 48% FG, 35% 3P, 73% FT
Gasol - 10.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.1 spg, 4.6 apg, 50% FG, 39% 3P, 74% FT.
Leonard - 10.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 0.5 bpg, 0.5 spg, 1.9 apg, 50% FG, 41% 3P, 63% FT.
As you can see Gasol is the leader in the most categories 3, he is also in virtual tie in 3P shooting, and Blks per game. Effectively making him the best player in 5 out of 8 categories. Baynes is clearly the best scorer and Favors clearly the best rebounder of the group.
Here is my breakdown of our dirty dozen of options. I've left out centers who I think aren't Jazz DNA players or wouldn't be remotely interested (D. Howard, D. Cousins) and who we can't afford - Andre Drummond, Montrez Harrell - Mavericks, Bulls and Raptors are reportedly interested (not to mention the Clippers).
Free Agents Include:
1. Derrick Favors - 6'9" 29 y.o. 9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.0 blk, 61% FG, 14% 3P, 56% FT. The first and most obvious choice. We all miss his personality, his ability to finish at the hoop, his rebounding, shot blocking and overall presence. Will Derrick Favors be another Jazz man to leave and return alla Thurl Bailey, Mo Williams, and Kyle Korver? None of the Jazz returns have gone as well as hoped for. And I think sentiment clouds our judgement as there were real problems with the Favors + Gobert tandem, namely that they couldn't be on the floor at the same time very often. He had some trouble staying healthy (again) last season that's likely to continue as it has every season, not to mention the idea of replacing Gobert with someone who shoots WORSE than he does from the free throw line (56% last season) seems ill advised.
2. Aron Baynes - 6'10" 33 y.o. 11.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.5 bpg, 48% FG, 35% 3P, 80% FT. the Jazz were mentioned as interested in Baynes last season when it was rumored the Suns might waive him after trading for him. He's a not only a good shooter, but a great screen-assist guy which would be something the Jazz are sorely lacking when Rudy sits down. Not to mention he could come into late games when we need a 3-pointer and be an option, he could also be an option when we need someone to hit free throws down the stretch. Maybe that might motivate Gobert to finally become a 75+% free throw shooter. He also has played with Joe Ingles on the Aussie national team together a few times, so they may have some instant chemistry.
3. Marc Gasol - 6'11" 35 y.o. 7.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.9 bpg, 43% FG, 39% 3P, 73% FT - His stats might now wow you, but remember he only played about 25 mpg. 39% from 3 is intriguing though as teams have to guard him at the 3, that would open up cutting lanes for Donovan, Conley and Clarkson. And given that Gasol averaged 3.3 apg last season, we know he's a capable passer. And he would have instant chemistry with Mike Conley as they played together for a while with the Grizzlies. One block per game in limited minutes also shows that he's still a capable rim protector, but what jumps out at you is his +/-. He just makes teams better with +10 while he's on the floor. He would be a short-term solution but the Jazz could be handful to defend next year with Gasol, Conley, Mitchell, Clarkson and Bogdanovic on the floor at the same time. The Warriors are reportedly interested in signing him.
4. Serge Ibaka - 7'0" 31 y.o. 15.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 0.8 bpg, 51% FG, 39% 3P, 72% FT - He shoots it about as well as Marc Gasol, but has more energy and bounce at a youthful 31 years old. The rumor is Toronto is going to offer him a one-year 28 million dollar deal - if that materializes the Jazz have no shot at all.
5. Tristan Thompson - 13.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 51.9 FG% - he's looking for a long-term big deal and Cleveland is likely to give it to him. He'd probably have zero interest in getting left-over minutes from Gobert.
6. Hassan Whiteside - see above, but with Portland.
7. Enes Kanter - Enes would be interesting. He definitely has offensive skills that are far above Tony Bradley's but I think the Jazz are looking for defense also.4
8. Robin Lopez- 7'0" 32 y.o. 5.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg 49% FG, 33% 3P, 53% FT (last year - career average is 75%) 0.7 bpg. I wanted this guy for years in a Jazz jersey. He's ring chasing and his best shot is still probably in Milwaukee.
9. Frank Kaminsky 7'0" 27 y.o. - 9.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 45% FG, 33% 3P, 68% FT, 0.3 bpg. - Frank the Tank was supposed to be better than this. That being said, he contributed almost 10 ppg in only 19 minutes of playing time.
10. Willie Cauley-Stein - speaking of people who were supposed to be better. WCS is a backup center looking for a starting center contract. He shot 0% from 3 last season, and 55% from the line.
11. Mason Plumlee - 6'11" 30 y.o. - 7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.6 bpg, 62% FG, 0% 3P, and 53% FT - has really shown his worth in the playoffs this year, grabbing board, setting screens, fouling and bringing energy of the bench. It's not clear how much Denver wants to go over the cap - they have Paul Millsap and Jerami Grant both as free agents already and $105 mil in committed salary. They could bring back all 3, but do you really want to start paying luxury tax penalties for Mason Plumlee?
12. Meyers Leonard - 7'0" 28 y.o. 6.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.3 bpg, 50% FG, 41% 3p, 64% FT (81% career even hit 94% free throws in 2015 - what's up with all these folks having bad years from the line?) - the advantages of him are he's 28 (so he probably has 2-4 years left of his prime) and he can hit shots, he has playoff experience (in a larger role with Portland, now w Miami) and he comes from good teams with good programs.
Off the top of my head, the top 4 choices would be: Favors, Baynes, Gasol and Leonard. So comparing their 36 minutes stats can be useful. Not that they would ever be expected to average 36 mpg, but it gives you an idea how their stats compare in a same minutes situation given they are likely to get limited minutes playing behind Rudy and possibly a few minutes at the 4 spot. The per 36 min stats:
Favors - 13.3 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 0.9 spg, 2.3 apg, 62% FG, 14% 3P, 56% FT
Baynes - 18.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 0.9 bpg, 0.4 spg, 2.6 apg, 48% FG, 35% 3P, 73% FT
Gasol - 10.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.1 spg, 4.6 apg, 50% FG, 39% 3P, 74% FT.
Leonard - 10.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 0.5 bpg, 0.5 spg, 1.9 apg, 50% FG, 41% 3P, 63% FT.
As you can see Gasol is the leader in the most categories 3, he is also in virtual tie in 3P shooting, and Blks per game. Effectively making him the best player in 5 out of 8 categories. Baynes is clearly the best scorer and Favors clearly the best rebounder of the group.
