The $20M Question... Will the Jazz Use the Taxpayer MLE?

[Handlogten's Heros]

Alright so Favs is gone and it is assumed we use the taxpayer MLE.... But I'm pretty skeptical here. Using the taxpayer MLE costs us over $21M more this year between tax and salary over signing someone for the minimum. There are potential guys there that I could see being worth that... like Nic Batum and Rudy Gay... but they will have their pick of Brooklyn, Both LA teams, GSW and maybe some teams willing to go higher on shorter deals.

So I don't think we use the taxpayer MLE... and it might be the right thing to do. Don't force an MLE deal on a guy that isn't worth it or isn't clearly better than a minimum guy. That's what has gotten us in trouble. So while I have killed the front office in the past for not spending and being a little dishonest about being aggressive and all in... I will cut them some slack here if they don't find something.

The other thing of note... we have a $9M+ trade exception now. We can wait and go into the season and use that instead. I am not sure how the tax is calculated but it might be based on prorated salary so a little more feasible. So my plan would be to get a couple solid minimum guys... and if it isn't working go hunting with the trade exception and second rounders.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Also predict who you think they use it on.

 

[Park Bites]

My dream would be OPJ

 

[oneye]

I believe they will yes, I have no idea who on though.

 

[NAOS]

We need a guy on the level of Batum or Gay. I’m not sure how we fix our defensive versatility problems with dudes available for less.

 

[Pinhead]

Unfortunately, I think they will be running about the same team back next year.

 

[Miggs]

I’d love Batum, Gay, or OPJ in that order. I don’t think any of those happen. Gun to my head, I could see us using a partial MLE on E’twaun Moore. Same wingspan as Royce. Can hit the 3. Use to be able to defend. Not sure about now…he’s just 32.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

We need a guy on the level of Batum or Gay. I’m not sure how we fix our defensive versatility problems with dudes available for less.

I think those are the only guys that really make sense to me. If we are shopping in the Harkless market I don't think he gets a minimum... and I wouldn't pay him taxpayer mle money... maybe for one year with a team option.

Since we don't have an open starting spot I don't think we get in on Batum, Gay, or OP jr.

 

[NUMBERICA]

It seems I am lock-step here: we need to acquire a huge wing/small-ball big to throw at what murdered us last year (and has long loomed on the horizon as absolutely destroying the Jazz in the playoffs).

No one will be surprised that I back everything mentioned in the OP; try to spend it on one of Batum/Gay/OPj but if you can't get someone worth the money then just fallback on minimum deals and hope something comes along that will fit in the TPE (Nance, ideally).

 

[Miggs]

If nothing pans out, I wonder what it would take to get PJ Washington to play small ball 5. Dude is sort of a moron on the court but he’s super young, has a 7’3” wingspan, can hit the 3 (38% career), rebound and pass (2.5 assists last year)…I haven’t watched him much so maybe playing small ball 5 isn’t in his cards and he’s not the brightest bulb but:
1. He has the size and athleticism
2. I think he’ll buy in here and we would expedite his learning curve and improve his on court iq—that is, we have better leadership everywhere in the franchise

I doubt Charlotte considers trading him but they did just draft Kai Jones AND Thor, sort of similar guys as far as physical profiles so it might be something they consider. Maybe.

 

[Miggs]

Markieff Morris? We need toughness. He can shoot. Defend some.

 

[Jingled]

I definitely think they use it. My dream guy would be Batum, if we can't get him then someone like Rudy Gay would be a good option. Also hoping we can add someone like Ariza or Harkless for the minimum.

 

[Miggs]

I definitely think they use it. My dream guy would be Batum, if we can't get him then someone like Rudy Gay would be a good option. Also hoping we can add someone like Ariza or Harkless for the minimum.

Ariza is cooked, man.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think they will for the right guy (Batum) but they wont use it on anyone.

 

[Miggs]

I think we can have a starter spot for one of them too. Batum or Gay anyway. Not saying they should play 32 minutes. IMO, they shouldn’t. But Royce or Bogey can come off the bench. O’Neale is a team guy and would be fine with that IMO. I think Bogey could be convinced as well.

 

[NUMBERICA]

On the topic of getting minutes/a starter slot: The Lakers will get first pick of any of these guys if they want them. They have like 0 players beyond their Bloated 3.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Ariza is cooked, man.

He looked fine in Miami.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

On the topic of getting minutes/a starter slot: The Lakers will get first pick of any of these guys if they want them. They have like 0 players beyond their Bloated 3.

They will get the best taxpayer MLE guy... they will get a bunch of the best minimum dudes. Our only way to compete with the better ones in this price range is to have a plug and play starting spot ready for them imo. Maybe Rudy can tug at Batum's heart strings.

 

[Miggs]

He looked fine in Miami.

I think he has trouble staying in front of dudes. He’ll be 37 at the end of next season.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think he has trouble staying in front of dudes. He’ll be 37 at the end of next season.

He's been fine in Portland and Miami his last two stints. He was 36 last season... I get he's old but he's still getting it done. He'd be getting 15 minutes a night. It's not really worth discussing a whole lot because if its just for a minimum he is a Laker for sure.