My First Thought When hearing of the Bell Signing ....

[Chad Feldheimer]

is there has to be a deal in the works to unload AK's salary.

I don't see the Jazz going deeper into the Luxury Tax to sign a guy like Raja Bell. I mean I like Raja and think it was a good move, especially if they can dump AK money.

He has to be gone right? NJ needs someone.... anyone. They might take him for nothing.

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

is there has to be a deal in the works to unload AK's salary.

I don't see the Jazz going deeper into the Luxury Tax to sign a guy like Raja Bell. I mean I like Raja and think it was a good move, especially if they can dump AK money.

He has to be gone right? NJ needs someone.... anyone. They might take him for nothing.

I was a little bit negative about it before we signed him but now I am drinking the KoolAid. I think the price is not too bad. Might regret that last year but oh well. I guess I just thought he was going to be a Laker. It is nice to read all the LA fans cry about not getting him though.

 

[Shaggy]

I don't think this has anything to do with AK. They needed a starting caliber SG.

 

[retroevo]

I don't think this has anything to do with AK. They needed a starting caliber SG.

Explain to me why CJ isn't a starting caliber SG...

 

[d@!!0n0rcutt]

because CJ would be starter by default because we have no one else, but now we have Raja 'Rings The' Bell!

 

[Scorpjazz]

Explain to me why CJ isn't a starting caliber SG...

Really?

 

[Mambo]

Explain to me why CJ isn't a starting caliber SG...

Same reason JR smith isnt.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

is there has to be a deal in the works to unload AK's salary.

I don't see the Jazz going deeper into the Luxury Tax to sign a guy like Raja Bell. I mean I like Raja and think it was a good move, especially if they can dump AK money.

He has to be gone right? NJ needs someone.... anyone. They might take him for nothing.

I had similar thoughts.

Then Miller and KOC were talking about how they'll deal with the tax this year and move forward.

Then I thought this could just be a smokescreen and AK will indeed be shopped around.

Hard to keep that under wraps though. Probably in feeler stage around the league.

 

[PrinceJL]

is there has to be a deal in the works to unload AK's salary.

I don't see the Jazz going deeper into the Luxury Tax to sign a guy like Raja Bell. I mean I like Raja and think it was a good move, especially if they can dump AK money.

He has to be gone right? NJ needs someone.... anyone. They might take him for nothing.

I didnt think of this at all but its probably the opposite. Ownership is probably signing off on these deals simply because they know AK's contract comes off next year (lockout looming??) & I doubt that they'll trade AK to take on an existing '11 contract. Also, the only way I would see AK traded would be for an exemption or a team way under the cap (ie NJ) but I think dumping AK like that would make the team worse (Sloan/players unhappy) but it would save the Millers $$.

That being said, I think Greg Miller is willing to pay the LT for a winner!!

 

[VINYLONE]

I was a little bit negative about it before we signed him but now I am drinking the KoolAid. I think the price is not too bad. Might regret that last year but oh well. I guess I just thought he was going to be a Laker. It is nice to read all the LA fans cry about not getting him though.

I told many a laker fans yesterday to cry harder.

 

[dipship31]

Laker fans actually cared that they missed out on Raja?

 

[Stifle Tower]

I didnt think of this at all but its probably the opposite. Ownership is probably signing off on these deals simply because they know AK's contract comes off next year (lockout looming??) & I doubt that they'll trade AK to take on an existing '11 contract. Also, the only way I would see AK traded would be for an exemption or a team way under the cap (ie NJ) but I think dumping AK like that would make the team worse (Sloan/players unhappy) but it would save the Millers $$.

That being said, I think Greg Miller is willing to pay the LT for a winner!!

I agree. I'm really impressed with Greg (and Gail) stepping up and authorizing the team to spend the additional money. I think the Raja signing is completely unrelated to AK.

KOC talked about a 3-man rotation at the 4/5, so I'm assuming he means Jefferson/Okur/Millsap. That likely means they're not planning on playing AK much at PF. If Okur isn't ready to go opening night, maybe he gets some minutes, but I think it's more likely Fes would get time at the 5 when Jefferson slides over to the 4.

I'm thinking CJ starts at SG, with Raja getting the remaining minutes. It will be good competition for Miles. He'll need to elevate his game to remain the starter. But who knows? CJ loves to shoot. Maybe he becomes the 6th-man scorer off the bench. At SF, I think AK starts and Hayward gets 10-15 initially. AK's future depends on how he plays this season and how Hayward develops. Also, it depends on what might be offered at the deadline. Maybe we take on a contract for a very good SG or SF in the range of $7-$10M, and the rest of the contracts are either expirings or ones we can buy out. That gives the other team $8-$10M in cap savings for 2011-12 and us $7M in reduced payroll. And we won't have a draft pick, so the roster would be set (if there is a 2011-12 season).