I could come up with pipedream trades like the rest of you (and I have), but instead here is what I think would be a successful summer for the Utah Jazz:
1) Extend Millsap - He is the heart and workhorse of this team. He proved he can play multiple positions and has improved every season. His versaility allows him to start at SF or PF or become the 6th man. 4 years/ $40 million
2) Evans signs his option
3) Sign Danny Green (maybe can work out a sign-and-trade with Spurs for Raja Bell?); 4 years/ $12m
- If can't get Green, Jodie Meeks, Carlos Delfino, or Pietrus would be possibilities
4) Re-sign AK-47; I think he should retire in a Jazz uniform and he proved that he is still the all-purpose player; 3 years/ Full mid-level exception
5) Let Howard, Miles,and Ahearn walk.
6) Trade Raja Bell; Send him to a Top 4 contender in the West or East, maybe Memphis, San Antonio, etc.?; He never fit with this team during his second stint, but still deserves to retire gracefully; A second-round, cash, or a Euro that will probably never come over would be fine.
7) The Harris Situation; I don't mind having Harris and Williams both on the team and I think it would actually make Utah better, but for cap relief I could see him going to the losers of the Deron Williams or Steve Nash sweepstakes as a single year stopgap for Dallas, Brooklyn, or Phoenix. Given that he is an expiring contract, it would allow those same teams to go after Chris Paul next season. My only caveat is that Raja Bell should be included in the deal (if #6 can't be worked out). If Harris were to go to Dallas, I want Jae Crowder, as I thought they shoudl have got him for the Williams-Odom deal.
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8) My only extreme idea for a trade and I don't think it should happen is Harris and Jefferson to the Lakers for Pau Gasol. I actually think it is a better trade for the Lakers than the Jazz (and on ESPN trade checker it is +8 for LA, -9 for Utah) because Lakers get a PG upgrade from Sessions and not the biggest stepback at PF from Gasol. Plus, Harris and Jefferson are both expiring contracts which would allow the Lakers to get in on the potential Chris Paul, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, etc. frenzy in 2013. Gasol is still good, but older and would provide a role of player/mentor for Kanter and Favors. He would also have to start at center. Utah would save $4.5 million this season, but be on the hook for $20m next, which would end any free agent chances in 2013.
Well, that is my realistic dream summer for the Jazz. Let's see how it plays out.
1) Extend Millsap - He is the heart and workhorse of this team. He proved he can play multiple positions and has improved every season. His versaility allows him to start at SF or PF or become the 6th man. 4 years/ $40 million
2) Evans signs his option
3) Sign Danny Green (maybe can work out a sign-and-trade with Spurs for Raja Bell?); 4 years/ $12m
- If can't get Green, Jodie Meeks, Carlos Delfino, or Pietrus would be possibilities
4) Re-sign AK-47; I think he should retire in a Jazz uniform and he proved that he is still the all-purpose player; 3 years/ Full mid-level exception
5) Let Howard, Miles,and Ahearn walk.
6) Trade Raja Bell; Send him to a Top 4 contender in the West or East, maybe Memphis, San Antonio, etc.?; He never fit with this team during his second stint, but still deserves to retire gracefully; A second-round, cash, or a Euro that will probably never come over would be fine.
7) The Harris Situation; I don't mind having Harris and Williams both on the team and I think it would actually make Utah better, but for cap relief I could see him going to the losers of the Deron Williams or Steve Nash sweepstakes as a single year stopgap for Dallas, Brooklyn, or Phoenix. Given that he is an expiring contract, it would allow those same teams to go after Chris Paul next season. My only caveat is that Raja Bell should be included in the deal (if #6 can't be worked out). If Harris were to go to Dallas, I want Jae Crowder, as I thought they shoudl have got him for the Williams-Odom deal.
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8) My only extreme idea for a trade and I don't think it should happen is Harris and Jefferson to the Lakers for Pau Gasol. I actually think it is a better trade for the Lakers than the Jazz (and on ESPN trade checker it is +8 for LA, -9 for Utah) because Lakers get a PG upgrade from Sessions and not the biggest stepback at PF from Gasol. Plus, Harris and Jefferson are both expiring contracts which would allow the Lakers to get in on the potential Chris Paul, Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, etc. frenzy in 2013. Gasol is still good, but older and would provide a role of player/mentor for Kanter and Favors. He would also have to start at center. Utah would save $4.5 million this season, but be on the hook for $20m next, which would end any free agent chances in 2013.
Well, that is my realistic dream summer for the Jazz. Let's see how it plays out.
