While looking around this moring I saw a new post by David Locke this morning. They just did locker clean out and he was present to some of the interviews and behind the scenes things that we are not privy to. Anyhow, it was interesting to hear about some of the things that Favors had said as well as Milsap, the latter of the two was actually shocking.
If your like Locke, you believe that Favors is our future. Being the future he should start next season so he can develop into our Super Star. That means one of two things, Milsap moves to the 3 or Milsap comes off the bench. So hearing the question asked of Milsap “what would you think of coming off the bench next season”? I hear Milsap say that he doesnt even want to think of that.. It sounded like he would not be happy with that at all, which is very understandable.
So, if you look at Milsap’s numbers especially the ones according to Locke about offensive efficiency, Milsap is through the roof . At least when compared to his team mates. The only one beating him in the efficiency catagory is Evans, who does not see Milsap’s minutes. We know he is all heart, plays defense, and improves every year. Milsap could start for many teams within the league and improve them imediately. Starting or coming off the bench he adds much depth to our team.
I believe Favors needs to beat Milsap out before being handed the reigns, and thought Favors coming off the bench behind Milsap and Al, he would get more than enough minutes and be able to develop and add much needed depth. I also think you start the better player, and Favors could turn into that next season if he meets expectations. I thought Milsap could move back and forth between the 3 and 4 depending upon matchups etc. But we are talking about what ifs.
So, all this being said, what if Favors beats Milsap out? What if Milsap cant make the transition to the 3 as well as we would like, or we draft someone who is more helpful there? Do we make Milsap unhappy, coming off the bench and hope we dont cut out his heart? Or, while he has some value, do we look at moving him, for other needed parts?
Well after all this I decided to look around and see what else was out there. I found in the Salt Lake Tribune stories of the Jazz moving forward and it talking about major change. I talked about how Favors and Hayward were the future. How harris and Al were going to have to take on major leadership roles. It covered how they would like to bring AK and Fes back, of course thats a whole other story and what if.. But there was a no comment when they talked about bringing CJ back for the end of his contract. Then they talke a bit about Milsap, and how they were not looking to trade him, but there are a lot of what ifs. Last they never talked about Okur.. Does this have another meaning? It was hinted that Bell may be a thing of the past as well, but who would take his contract?
