KK is EASILY replaced by Gordon. How many made 3's did KK average? You'll be surprised...
Wait for it, wait for it...ding, ding, ding: 59 made 3's in 52 games. That's 1.1 MADE 3's per game. You call that a threat? I don't care if Honzward doesn't quite have Korver's range and NEVER attempts a 3. That costs us a whopping ONE point per game (assuming a MADE 2 instead of a MADE 3). I fully believe Honzward is capable of averaging 7/2/2 as a rookie if he plays 20 mins. He won't be worse on defense and has considerably more upside, especially in terms of ball-handling, passing and driving to the hoop.
IMO, Jefferson is at least = to Boozer. And I think Jefferson + Millsap >>> Boozer + Millsap. Having a guy that can legitimately play a low-post 5 allows Millsap to move into the starting lineup and the JAzz to be collectively better at the 4/5.
Yep, losing Matthews is a blow if it happens. He was a decent SG. But that's exactly why I said Utah STILL needs to get a starting wing to be a legit contender. CJ deserves a shot, but IMO, he's better suited to be a gunner off the bench and back up both wing positions.
JAzz may be worse off with CJ starting now instead of Wesley. But I think they need to pass on the offer. Matching ties their hands at the deadline. They'd have to try to DUMP AK's contract, or just eat it and pay a ton of tax. That probably puts them out of the hunt for a top-tier wing, as all they'd have to offer is the MLE next season.
Don't match and they can trade AK's contract for perhaps up to $14M for longer-term salaries and be under the tax. Then you take the rest in throw-ins you can buy out or that will expire.
