Chris
Well-Known Member
I think the primary question going into the offseason is how we can continue to promote the growth of the young core by giving them the valuable playing minutes that they'll require, while incorporating free agent talent that will complement and improve the team. It will be a delicate balancing act, to be sure. I have a couple of suggestions. It is important to remember that we have money and we have a market that makes it tough to attract free agents. While we all know this, I believe it bears repeating before reading the rest of what I have to say.
I do believe that there are a few moves that could be worth the effort and perhaps the requisite over-payment, given what market we're talking about here in Utah. In looking at available free agents this summer, there were really only two guys that I think could add something significant to the team that would still put our young core in a position to earn the playing time that they'll need to develop.
I considered Greg Monroe, who I think could be had for 12-14 million/yr for most teams and maybe 15+ for the Jazz. However, I think that the Jazz need Hayward, Favors, and Gobert to start and get significant minutes, so I think it would be a bad fit from that perspective.
I also considered Tobias Harris, a small forward who's young and averaging 17.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 2 APG. However, he seems to really want to play for the Knicks and I believe the Knicks will overpay for him if they have to, but again -- I don't believe they'll have to. Harris to the Knicks seems like a fait accompli.
Jimmy Butler would be nice, but Chicago is intent on keeping him and will match any offer he'll get...which will likely be a max one. So he's out of the question. I believe that leaves the Jazz with only two legitimate options, and they're both at shooting guard, because that's where I feel we're most deficient.
Wes Matthews and Khris Middleton. I was broken hearted when Portland stole Wes a few years ago, but we could use an all-around threat veteran who doesn't have a lot of miles on his tires. Though he'll be 29, it's not like he came out of college after his freshman year. He spent four years at Marquette and then came into the league. While he might be at his ceiling, I think he's a hell of a good player and a great guy to extend a 4-year, $48 million contract to, if that's what it takes to bring him back to Utah. This would also give Alec Burks something to fight for and continue to improve, if Matthews started in front of him for a couple of years. Either way, we'd have one hell of a second team.
As for Khris Middleton, he's another SG, and on the younger and taller side. Doesn't seem to have hit his potential yet, and I believe he could be had for a decent 4-yr contract. He could play behind Burks, where Matthews would play ahead of Burks, I would assume. Middleton might be a better fit from that particular perspective. Middleton can also play some SF with his size and skill set, if something were to happen to Hayward or Hood. Either move, for Matthews or Middleton, would make Elijah Millsap a good third option. I like what Millsap brings to the table: A guy that can step up if need be, but let's not make him our #2 guy at the SG position.
When it comes to the draft, I believe a legitimate center is the priority. Trying to bring in a veteran free agent center would stunt Gobert's growth. I think Myles Turner could be the guy. Seems like he will provide some good length and offense off the bench, without being a defensive liability. He could develop alongside Gobert for the next few years. If, when it's time to re-up Gobert and he's looking for big bucks, we can evaluate where Myles Turner is at that point and make a decision based on that. Plus, Turner will be on a friendly rookie scale contract over the next few years. I also think that Jeremy Evans, Ian Clark, and Joe Ingles could all safely be let go -- no need to pay for players you don't really need anymore.
I won't propose any trades, but I feel these moves listed above could really move the Jazz in the right direction with what they seem to want to do over the next few years.
I do believe that there are a few moves that could be worth the effort and perhaps the requisite over-payment, given what market we're talking about here in Utah. In looking at available free agents this summer, there were really only two guys that I think could add something significant to the team that would still put our young core in a position to earn the playing time that they'll need to develop.
I considered Greg Monroe, who I think could be had for 12-14 million/yr for most teams and maybe 15+ for the Jazz. However, I think that the Jazz need Hayward, Favors, and Gobert to start and get significant minutes, so I think it would be a bad fit from that perspective.
I also considered Tobias Harris, a small forward who's young and averaging 17.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 2 APG. However, he seems to really want to play for the Knicks and I believe the Knicks will overpay for him if they have to, but again -- I don't believe they'll have to. Harris to the Knicks seems like a fait accompli.
Jimmy Butler would be nice, but Chicago is intent on keeping him and will match any offer he'll get...which will likely be a max one. So he's out of the question. I believe that leaves the Jazz with only two legitimate options, and they're both at shooting guard, because that's where I feel we're most deficient.
Wes Matthews and Khris Middleton. I was broken hearted when Portland stole Wes a few years ago, but we could use an all-around threat veteran who doesn't have a lot of miles on his tires. Though he'll be 29, it's not like he came out of college after his freshman year. He spent four years at Marquette and then came into the league. While he might be at his ceiling, I think he's a hell of a good player and a great guy to extend a 4-year, $48 million contract to, if that's what it takes to bring him back to Utah. This would also give Alec Burks something to fight for and continue to improve, if Matthews started in front of him for a couple of years. Either way, we'd have one hell of a second team.
As for Khris Middleton, he's another SG, and on the younger and taller side. Doesn't seem to have hit his potential yet, and I believe he could be had for a decent 4-yr contract. He could play behind Burks, where Matthews would play ahead of Burks, I would assume. Middleton might be a better fit from that particular perspective. Middleton can also play some SF with his size and skill set, if something were to happen to Hayward or Hood. Either move, for Matthews or Middleton, would make Elijah Millsap a good third option. I like what Millsap brings to the table: A guy that can step up if need be, but let's not make him our #2 guy at the SG position.
When it comes to the draft, I believe a legitimate center is the priority. Trying to bring in a veteran free agent center would stunt Gobert's growth. I think Myles Turner could be the guy. Seems like he will provide some good length and offense off the bench, without being a defensive liability. He could develop alongside Gobert for the next few years. If, when it's time to re-up Gobert and he's looking for big bucks, we can evaluate where Myles Turner is at that point and make a decision based on that. Plus, Turner will be on a friendly rookie scale contract over the next few years. I also think that Jeremy Evans, Ian Clark, and Joe Ingles could all safely be let go -- no need to pay for players you don't really need anymore.
I won't propose any trades, but I feel these moves listed above could really move the Jazz in the right direction with what they seem to want to do over the next few years.
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