Well that's a kick in the nuts.
- Thread starter Beantown
- Start date
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Boozer was a pretty hot commodity when he visited Utah. And so was KMart. Before that we had Brand, Maggette and Terry in for visits. Didn't a couple of those guys actually sign offer sheets that were then matched?
Perhaps Moore should have looked at the Jazz' cap situation. Jazz had a 2-year window of available cap space. They struck out in Year #1 and then signed Boozer and Memo, along with having AK at the MAX. Then added Deron. Not a lot of money left over for significant FA's.
Besides, how many "big-name" FA's are there each year?
This season, I guess you had DWill, Allen and some restricted FA's like Hibbert and Batum. Hey, I'm sure we could have gotten AK to pay us a visit had we offered that $20M contract.
When was the last time a big name FA visited the Lakers or Celtics or even SA? Most teams get their great players via trades or in the draft. Big names generally don't become FA's until they're on the decline. If/when they sour on their existing teams, they're usually traded BEFORE becoming a "big-name FA" (Howard, Paul, Carmelo). The three amigos in Miami were an exception...and a pre-ochestrated one at that.
And why go after a RFA? If they have great value, all you're going to do is help them get a nice contract with their existing team and probably have to release some of your own players to get far enough under the cap to offer a contract. Jazz went that route and failed acouple of times. Then they succeeded with a poison pill offer sheet to Memo, just like Houston did with Lin.
All Utah could do in recent years was offer their MLE, which no "big-name FA" is going to accept. Their hands were still tied with big contracts on the books. Even with AK's contract off the books, they were still over the cap.
If/when OKC wins a title, they'll do so without having signed any "big-name FA's" - unless they get some veteran ring-chasers to sign at the MLE and/or vet minimum. Utah is on that same path, with good young players who they'll need to re-sign. And perhaps the Jazz retain valuable veterans like Mo, Marvin and Paul. Add to likely 1st-rounders this summer and there isn't room to go out and sign a high-priced vet for $15M/per. Perhaps if Paul, Big Al and Marvin do not figure in the Jazz' plans, then KOC/Lindsey go out this summer and find a couple of guys in the $8-$10M range to add to the team.
Perhaps Moore should have looked at the Jazz' cap situation. Jazz had a 2-year window of available cap space. They struck out in Year #1 and then signed Boozer and Memo, along with having AK at the MAX. Then added Deron. Not a lot of money left over for significant FA's.
Besides, how many "big-name" FA's are there each year?
This season, I guess you had DWill, Allen and some restricted FA's like Hibbert and Batum. Hey, I'm sure we could have gotten AK to pay us a visit had we offered that $20M contract.
When was the last time a big name FA visited the Lakers or Celtics or even SA? Most teams get their great players via trades or in the draft. Big names generally don't become FA's until they're on the decline. If/when they sour on their existing teams, they're usually traded BEFORE becoming a "big-name FA" (Howard, Paul, Carmelo). The three amigos in Miami were an exception...and a pre-ochestrated one at that.
And why go after a RFA? If they have great value, all you're going to do is help them get a nice contract with their existing team and probably have to release some of your own players to get far enough under the cap to offer a contract. Jazz went that route and failed acouple of times. Then they succeeded with a poison pill offer sheet to Memo, just like Houston did with Lin.
All Utah could do in recent years was offer their MLE, which no "big-name FA" is going to accept. Their hands were still tied with big contracts on the books. Even with AK's contract off the books, they were still over the cap.
If/when OKC wins a title, they'll do so without having signed any "big-name FA's" - unless they get some veteran ring-chasers to sign at the MLE and/or vet minimum. Utah is on that same path, with good young players who they'll need to re-sign. And perhaps the Jazz retain valuable veterans like Mo, Marvin and Paul. Add to likely 1st-rounders this summer and there isn't room to go out and sign a high-priced vet for $15M/per. Perhaps if Paul, Big Al and Marvin do not figure in the Jazz' plans, then KOC/Lindsey go out this summer and find a couple of guys in the $8-$10M range to add to the team.
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Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Kenyon was never offered a deal, as Boozer was signed instead. KMart went on to visit Denver and Boozer was offered a contract on the spot and then cancelled his scheduled trip to the Nuggets.
Terry actually turned down a pretty good offer from Atlanta and then signed an offer sheet with Utah instead, but Atlanta matched. IIRC, Terry was not very happy when they did. And Maggette had other options as well, but signed an offer sheet with Utah. So in those 2 cases at least, both players were interested in playing for the Jazz.
Brand and Brad Miller are less clear. Jazz courted both players, but neither opted to sign a contract or offer sheet with Utah. So who knows if their talsk with Utah were serious or just for leverage with other teams.
I don't really agree with you on the Utah end of this but there is a lot of good stuff here. Injury risk is the biggest reason players don't like to become UFAs. You don't simply pass on $40-$50mm guarantees without much thought when an injury means that much less money.
Orchestrated yes, but LeBron is a little different as he earns more outside basketball than in, thus doesn't need contract security the way other players do. Wade has huge endorsements as well. I wouldn't consider Bosh a big name FA. Jazz can attract Bosh level talent just fine.
Duck Rodgers
Well-Known Member
Here's the article referenced:
https://probasketballtalk.nbcsports...ing-history-in-free-agency-decisions/related/
https://probasketballtalk.nbcsports...ing-history-in-free-agency-decisions/related/
Hotdog
Well-Known Member
A contraction of the league is what's needed.
Just get rid of these teams.
Wizards
CLippers
Cavs
Warriors
Bobcats
Grizzlies
Raptor
Hornets
Timberwolves
Bucks
That would really make the league tough to play in, and free agents wouldn't be so hard to get. Less scrubs would get over paid too.
And that contraction draft would be awesome.
Just get rid of these teams.
Wizards
CLippers
Cavs
Warriors
Bobcats
Grizzlies
Raptor
Hornets
Timberwolves
Bucks
That would really make the league tough to play in, and free agents wouldn't be so hard to get. Less scrubs would get over paid too.
And that contraction draft would be awesome.
Beantown
Well-Known Member
Jazz would get Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Blake Grffin.
theNBAnerd
Well-Known Member
historically, it's a lot easier to add star-level talent via the draft and trades than via free agency. this is true for every team, not just the jazz.
but motown in right, the jazz have had a decent amount of success when they actually had money to work with.
but motown in right, the jazz have had a decent amount of success when they actually had money to work with.
Hotdog
Well-Known Member
I take it you aren't a Blake Griffin hater, like some here. Blake would be awesome. We need a SF though too. MKG maybe?
Favors/Kanter
Blake/ Millsap
MKG/Hayward
Hayward/Burks
IrvIng/Rubio.
The more I think about it. The more I like it.
Hotdog
Well-Known Member
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TheSilencer1313
Well-Known Member
I know you're a Blake homer buddy, but I just can't stand him.
The guy plays worse defense than Al Jefferson, and has nothing close to an offensive skill set at all.
His biggest claim to fame is jumping over a car, and being bitched out by Charles Barkley on TNT.
Also, Hayward > MKG
No but I am high on them. Lived in Memphis and went to a bunch of their games.
After Utah I like Memphis, Phoenix, Indy and OKC. Piss ont he rest.
Hate Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets, Trailblazers and the GSTankers