Reality Check!

[Coach Ellis]

Exactly.
Hayward is capable of scoring 18/per, but he's not going to be a #1 option. He's better at being a facilitator, hopefully developing the ability to come off curls like Harpring, or drift out to the 3-pt line where he's deadly. Still need that player who can score 30 points when you need him to, or the last 8 points of a game when the defense tightens up. Jazz will have room for a free agent even after the draft. Lindsey has the option of taking on expirings again for assets or bringing in an $8-$10M player on a 3 yr deal. That cap space isn't going to be needed until Burke and Gobert come off their rookie deals. Personally, I like the idea of trying to get another pick in 2015. I think it likely the Jazz miss the playoffs next year as well. It's going to take a couple of seasons before they're winning 45-50 games, which is what it's going to take for even the 8th seed.

Great post. Two points to add to it. . .

1. Next offseason is going to rock for the Jazz. They are going to struggle, but will get some great young players out of the 2014 draft to add to their core group. Favors and Hayward will both either be extended or matched and the Jazz will still have cap space before that loaded group of free agents hit the market. Teams will be even more desperate to dump cap space than they were this year. I'd love to land another 2015 1st round pick to start building depth behind whoever the core guys end up being after two seasons of taking on contracts for assets.

2. Since Dennis Lindsey came on board, the Jazz have made a major investment in overhauling their overseas scouting. Adding Gobert and Neto is a good indication of things to come. Lindsey values that. With all of the draft assets he is acquiring, look for him to not only pick and stash players in Europe, but to also bring them over to the US when they can compete and contribute. I will not be surprised at all to see both Tomic and Neto come over within the next two years as the Jazz fill out their depth.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Good additions, Ellis

1. Yes, there are going to be teams trying to clear cap space to sign big name FA's. Jazz should be able to take on a few contracts, although not as much as this season (have to re-sign/match Favors and Hayward and will have 1-2 first round picks adding to salary costs). I don't see 2014 as the summer Lindsey goes after a higher-priced FA. Jazz are still a few years away from contending. Utah needs to continue to develop the current young core and work in their, (hopefully!!!), franchise-player they get in the draft. So try to accumulate more assets, like another 2015 pick or even look further down the road to 2017 and 2018. Some roster churn is going to have to take place, similar to OKC having to choose between Ibaka and Harden. Would be great to have a couple of firsts those seasons to trade up for decent replacements.

2. Great observation. I'm doubtful Tomic ever comes over. But with all the extra 2nd rounders the Jazz have, I see them continuing to look for international players who can be stashed until needed.

 

[Hotdog]

Awesome post. Someone rep for me... I gotta spread it around.

Done

 

[Stifle Tower]

Done

?
I'm assuming you went out and spread something around since I know I didn't receive rep.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Good additions, Ellis

1. Yes, there are going to be teams trying to clear cap space to sign big name FA's. Jazz should be able to take on a few contracts, although not as much as this season (have to re-sign/match Favors and Hayward and will have 1-2 first round picks adding to salary costs). I don't see 2014 as the summer Lindsey goes after a higher-priced FA. Jazz are still a few years away from contending. Utah needs to continue to develop the current young core and work in their, (hopefully!!!), franchise-player they get in the draft. So try to accumulate more assets, like another 2015 pick or even look further down the road to 2017 and 2018. Some roster churn is going to have to take place, similar to OKC having to choose between Ibaka and Harden. Would be great to have a couple of firsts those seasons to trade up for decent replacements.

2. Great observation. I'm doubtful Tomic ever comes over. But with all the extra 2nd rounders the Jazz have, I see them continuing to look for international players who can be stashed until needed.

A small market team like the Jazz should always be looking to add young talent in the draft and developing them up as much as possible. If they're just role players, then you sign them to reasonable contracts or let them leave in free agency. They should always be looking for the best players that they can bring in and hope that one of them shocks the world and turns into a key piece of the puzzle. With the number of draft assets that they have been accumulating, those young guys will make up a young and energetic bench down the road. Maybe one of them becomes a starter and pushes other guys into reserve roles or off the team. There's always talent (even later on in the draft) if you have the skills to spot it and the patience to develop it. I think that they should always be as proactive about bringing in the best players they can get their hands on and I really, truly believe that a draft and develop strategy is always the best option for a team like Utah.

As for Tomic, I agree that there's a pretty good chance that they never bring him over, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if they buy him out and he's in Utah next year. Here's why. . . he struggled in 2011, switched teams and had a great year (at a higher level of competition even.) If he can show the consistency to play like that for two years in a row, I think that Dennis Lindsey will at least have a more earnest conversation about him. He has the height and has put on the weight needed to at least hold up in the NBA. The Jazz are in rebuilding mode and there's going to be minutes available for young and new players to make their mark. Gobert looks like a defensive specialist and Tomic would bring more of an offensive game off the bench. I think there's a role that he can fill as the 3rd center on the roster after Biedrins is gone. Tiago Splitter proved that even an older player can come over and still make a significant contribution for his team. Dennis Lindsey seems to value the foreign players more than Kevin O'Connor did.

 

[Tom Pitt]

The core 4 do not have the talent to win an NBA title, period. The Jazz will not get a Lebron James in free agency. If we want to win a title it will be after we draft an All NBA stud.

I think it depends most on Kanter. If he can develop into a Dirk-esk level go to guy, I think it could happen. We know what we will get from Hayward and Favors, Largely. If Kanter can become a star, and the progression last season says he's going to be a star, then I think we will have the talent to win a title.