Why didn't the Jazz keep Millsap around?
- Thread starter l Abach l
- Start date
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
We wouldn't have had Exum. The whole idea was to rebuild and get the best pick possible. Keeping Millsap would have meant the Jazz were committed to "retooling" and fighting for the playoffs. Even with no other re-signings. Utah with Millsap is 5-10 wins better. So take that #5 pick and move it to around #10. I guess that means Payton or McBuckets instead of Exum? Also, both Paul and Derrick wanted to start. Derrick is NOT a starting 5. He has repeatedly said he's a 4. There had already been some friction over who started alongside Jefferson.
I think it is a very similar situation to what we have now with Enes. Three players see themselves as starters: Kanter, Favors and Gobert. Enes sees his starting spot in jeopardy. In fact, I think what brought on his trade demand can be traced back to a few games ago, when Gobert started the 2nd half with Favors - and shut down Aldridge. Snyder wants defense; he's shown that by promoting Dante to the starting unit over Trey.
AS good as Paul is right now, he's also getting up there in age. By the time the Jazz are ready to contend, he'll be starting to slide. And Favors is a MUCH better defender. Had we kept Millsap, one of the two would have been unhappy. Maybe Derrick would be lobbying for a trade right now.
Handlogten's Heros
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This is a really tired narrative for so many reasons.
We may need to consider that he dumped us... that he didn't necessarily want to be here and wanted a change of scenery.
We may need to consider that he dumped us... that he didn't necessarily want to be here and wanted a change of scenery.
l Abach l
Well-Known Member
Interesting analysis. I disagree however that the "retool" wouldn't have worked. If we start Gobert, we desperately need a 4 that can stretch defenses and create for himself. I would have been fine shipping off favors had we kept millsap for a guard, but what's done is done. Hoping favors can still develop a consistent jump shot
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
I never said the retool wouldn't have worked, In fact, I think the Jazz would have made the playoffs last season. Hindsight is great, though. I doubt we see the same Millsap and DMC Atlanta has now. Snyder really helped DMC develop. And Millsap was given more freedom. WE'd be a 7th/8th seed with a starting lineup of Millsap/Favors/Hayward/Foye and some veteran PG. We know Jefferson and Mo weren't returning. DMC and Gobert would be coming off the bench. The big key is that Corbin would STILL be the coach. The Millers would NEVER do what the Warriors did with Jackson. They simply wouldn't fire a coach who guided the team to the playoffs.
And that was the crux of the argument that pitted Lindsey against KOC and many others in the front office. Did the Jazz want to remain in that perennial loop of just making the playoffs, but never contending - or did the Jazz want to rebuild and take a shot at getting a franchise player in the 2014 draft (likely the best chance they'd ever have)?
Thee Jazz Fan
Well-Known Member
He has developed a consistent jump shot. He may not create his offense the way Millsap does but he can create his own shot, plus he gets most of his points within the context of the offense through pick'n roll and drive and dish situations. Something Millsap didn't do. Favors will be better then Millsap in a year or two in my opinion.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Agree. Favors is a better P&R PF than Millsap. And he's more versatile. Derrick CAN play the 5 behind Gobert if Utah gets a PF who they want to play 25-30 mins. I'm now hoping Utah can trade for or sign a shooter and draft WCS. Booker and Gobert play 30-35 mins each. WCS and Booker play 13-18 mins as their backups. We would have the best defensive duo in the league at the 5.
In the end it seems retooling with Corbin was the mistake. Oh yeah, and Big Fat Juicy Al.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
The first retool - and acquisition of Big Al - was done under Sloan's watch. And it was done to try to keep our franchise player happy and ensure he would re-sign with the Jazz. Ty gave us fool's gold by leading the Jazz to the playoffs in the strike-shortened season. Took a fresh set of eyes (Lindsey) to see the team for what it really was.
Lakers_Slapper
Well-Known Member
I do miss Millsap but I wonder about Demarre Carol more. He obviously isn't at the same level as Sap, but we could have kept him around for cheap and the guy does all of those little things that help a team win.
Hopefully E.Sap can undergo a Demarre-like transformation next year and starting hitting shots.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
It's the Quin effect. DMC was a high intensity player but he had no range and was just an average defender. He took a lot of chances on defense. Snyder molded him into not only a starter, but a very good one. Would DMC have developed on defense and as a shooter under Ty? I doubt it.