Winner: Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey
Warriors aside, the Jazz enjoyed the West’s best off-season and it’s not particularly close. GM Dennis Lindsey has been methodical in his roster-building, but the slow-motion build-up will pay off in a big way in 2016-17. Utah’s summer was characterized by clean fits and great value: Lindsey addressed his three biggest needs by acquiring a starting point guard in George Hill, an experienced shooter in Joe Johnson, and a quality stretch four in Boris Diaw. Lindsey filled his biggest roster hole, he filled out his bench, he improved his roster versatility, he added years of playoff experience to a young team, and he did it all for $37 million (Hill will earn $8 million next season, Johnson was signed to a two-year, $22 million deal, and Diaw will earn $7 million). That’s less than Detroit paid to lock up Jon Leuer for the next four years, and Utah is in a position of flexibility where it evaluate its newcomers and then reward them next summer if they prove to be keepers.
The best part is that the Jazz will also welcome back Dante Exum, Alec Burks and Rudy Gobert following injury-riddled seasons. Don’t be surprised if these guys win 50+ games and advance in the playoffs on the strength of a top-three defense. https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/07/nba-free-agency-winners-losers-kevin-durant-dwyane-wade-pat-riley?xid=si_topstories
Warriors aside, the Jazz enjoyed the West’s best off-season and it’s not particularly close. GM Dennis Lindsey has been methodical in his roster-building, but the slow-motion build-up will pay off in a big way in 2016-17. Utah’s summer was characterized by clean fits and great value: Lindsey addressed his three biggest needs by acquiring a starting point guard in George Hill, an experienced shooter in Joe Johnson, and a quality stretch four in Boris Diaw. Lindsey filled his biggest roster hole, he filled out his bench, he improved his roster versatility, he added years of playoff experience to a young team, and he did it all for $37 million (Hill will earn $8 million next season, Johnson was signed to a two-year, $22 million deal, and Diaw will earn $7 million). That’s less than Detroit paid to lock up Jon Leuer for the next four years, and Utah is in a position of flexibility where it evaluate its newcomers and then reward them next summer if they prove to be keepers.
The best part is that the Jazz will also welcome back Dante Exum, Alec Burks and Rudy Gobert following injury-riddled seasons. Don’t be surprised if these guys win 50+ games and advance in the playoffs on the strength of a top-three defense. https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/07/nba-free-agency-winners-losers-kevin-durant-dwyane-wade-pat-riley?xid=si_topstories
