What upgrades are needed to make us a contender?

[Handlogten's Heros]

I guess one question overall is where should Lauri play at and who fits around him. He can play 3 positions but I'm not sure where he is best at. I think having 4 stretch guys definitely helps his offense. But he also can't guard bigger centers so you might need a bigger guy next to him.

I think he's mostly a 4 but his flexibility is a nice benefit. We need someone to create on the perimeter and someone to protect the rim... and the more shooting the better.

Turner is an interesting pairing potentially. I would have loved to see this version of Lauri with Rudy.

 

[KqWIN]

I think Turner wants out so badly he'd be very open to signing an extension.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I do think Indiana might just be willing to roll with Turner for now. They traditionally do not tank. I want to find buy low opportunities.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think Turner wants out so badly he'd be very open to signing an extension.

3 years and like $70M (can you go 4 years out?) seems fair given his injury history... if he makes it out of the season healthy I can absolutely see LA offering 4/100+ though. Not sure where his head is.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think Turner wants out so badly he'd be very open to signing an extension.

Doubtful. He's probably looking for a big payday

 

[KqWIN]

I do think Indiana might just be willing to roll with Turner for now. They traditionally do not tank. I want to find buy low opportunities.

I think he wants to leave. If he tells them he won't resign, they ought to move him.

The key to a trade situation like this is doing the under the table stuff. Turner can kinda force his way to a certain team with extension talks. Some team might want him, but he can tell the team he doesn't want to play for that he won't sign if he has eyes for another team. I don't know if UTA is "feel good" enough to the point where players are forcing their way here....but I do think you could make a compelling pitch to Turner's agent that UTA is where he will become the best player he can be. If the Jazz aren't that team now, they need to keep developing Lauri's and become that team.

I don't have a good feel for what a contract looks for Turner. Bigs are going to have a tougher time getting paid going forward, but there's also the cap jump coming. I don't know if cap smoothing is in the plans. It feels like he should fall into the range where his extension money can start, but I could be totally off base. Feels like a $20-$25 a year type player.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think we look for a buy low trade on an upcoming restricted FA at the deadline. I think we sell off a vet if we get a good deal... say Phoenix or Milwaukee give up a first (or more) for KO/JC/Vando. I hope we haven't fallen in love too much that we aren't willing to do something opportunistic.

I still think there is a minor chance someone offers something wild for Lauri. Dallas/Miami I could see offering the 3 firsts+ that makes you think real hard. Likely only consider it if its a big price and we level off a bit providing an opportunity to tank.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think we look for a buy low trade on an upcoming restricted FA at the deadline. I think we sell off a vet if we get a good deal... say Phoenix or Milwaukee give up a first (or more) for KO/JC/Vando. I hope we haven't fallen in love too much that we aren't willing to do something opportunistic.

I still think there is a minor chance someone offers something wild for Lauri. Dallas/Miami I could see offering the 3 firsts+ that makes you think real hard. Likely only consider it if its a big price and we level off a bit providing an opportunity to tank.

Ainge traded IT. He gives no ****s about love.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think he wants to leave. If he tells them he won't resign, they ought to move him.

The key to a trade situation like this is doing the under the table stuff. Turner can kinda force his way to a certain team with extension talks. Some team might want him, but he can tell the team he doesn't want to play for that he won't sign if he has eyes for another team. I don't know if UTA is "feel good" enough to the point where players are forcing their way here....but I do think you could make a compelling pitch to Turner's agent that UTA is where he will become the best player he can be. If the Jazz aren't that team now, they need to keep developing Lauri's and become that team.

I don't have a good feel for what a contract looks for Turner. Bigs are going to have a tougher time getting paid going forward, but there's also the cap jump coming. I don't know if cap smoothing is in the plans. It feels like he should fall into the range where his extension money can start, but I could be totally off base. Feels like a $20-$25 a year type player.

I think he may view Utah as a lateral move... but maybe with a better record. Maybe a change of scenery is enough. I bet he waits out FA thinking he will get a big offer from LA or can work a sign and trade with another team to get where he wants. He's young and while centers aren't getting paid like they did before... I think being viewed as a unicorn (kinda) will help his case.

I think he is likely gone but not sure they get an offer so good they move him. Its weird to me they didn't do one LA pick for Hield and Turner... I don't think Buddy is some great asset. Turner feels like 1 pick is plenty.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

It's kind of wild, but the Jazz are actually in a really good position to tank. The league is very strong right now and a lot of teams are winning. We won't be able to get a bottom 3 record, but a bottom 5 is still realistic if you make moves when everyone comes trade eligible.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Ainge traded IT. He gives no ****s about love.

Prolly true... though that was for a deal he thought he was winning a title with. Ryan also would have some input.

I was just listening to Tim Mcmahon talk about Dallas getting the second guy around Luka... and I don't think 3 firsts gets you a Donovan level style superstar and I don't see the next guy that comes on the market (maybe AD?)... and I was just thinking... man Lauri is basically perfect to play alongside him and fit their defensive scheme.

Dallas picks are less valuable than Miami picks imo... If Luka is playing and healthy that's a top 4-5 seed every year. I don't know if I would do it... but I doubt they do better than a guy like Lauri with their picks.

I'm just spitballing here yall... don't get mad. Not saying I would or we should trade Lauri... just saying I think some offers could get really rich.

 

[sip]

I think it is quite the opposite. We likely can only win about 10-15 more games to end up in the bottom-4. We have such a large lead already over Houston/Detroit/Los Angeles/Orlando/Charlotte etc.

We would probably have to trade Conley, Clarkson, and Lauri to be that bad to drop to the bottom-4.

I don't think the goal would be the bottom 4. It would be the bottom 8. That gives you a chance to still move up in the lottery while still being in a sweet spot in this draft.