JazzInsider,
Really, I think our difference is just in semantics.
1. I consider the Jazz doing a major rebuild after Stockton, Malone and Hornacek left, which really began in signing Harpring, then Okur, Boozer and ended with the drafting of Deron.
2. After Deron was traded, you consider that a rebuild began. Call it a rebuild; I'll call it a retool. As one would expect with a new coach and major trade, the team went into a death roll and crashed out of playoff contention. But, we still had a franchise player and #1 option in Big Al (19/10) and an all-star candidate in Millsap (17/9). Also got back Harris in the deal who had been an all-star just a few years previous. Missed the playoffs, but we probably would have even HAD Deron stuck around due to his injuries and the tumultuous departure of Sloan. KOC then brought in veterans like Josh Howard and Raja Bell to go along with Hayward, CJ Miles, Favors, etc. The next season, Mo, Marvin and Foye were signed/traded for to replace Harris, CJ, Raja and Howard. The goal was still to make the playoffs.
And that's where we differ. IMO, when you have a playoff-caliber team and replace a few parts and still have a playoff caliber team, I really don't call that a rebuild. There's always roster churn. But that's just my opinion (see next point).
3. So let's call it a rebuild or a retool. Doesn't matter. What I WOULD argue is that the KOC-style rebuild/retool was aborted. Had KOC remained in charge, I think the "retooling" plan was to re-sign Millsap, Carroll and maybe Foye and find a PG to replace Mo. Big Al was gone the day the season ended. Even DL talked about "value shopping" in free agency. IMO, four things changed our plans.
a. KOC had already begun to step aside and Lindsey began to get more power. DL has always championed building through the draft and "not skipping steps."
b. In the early days of free agency, it was clear even mid-tier FA's were getting drastically overpaid.
c. Golden State offered Utah some good assets for using our cap space
d. The 2014 draft was supposed to be epic.
IMO, "c" and "d'" are key. I think what finally convinced the Millers to accept the DL rebuilding plan was knowing the Jazz could get a a pick in the top half of an exceptional draft and also have an additional 1st later in the first round...all by just refraining from signing veterans.
So, call it a rebuild after Deron left. But I think we then have to acknowledge a KOC 'rebuild" is very different from a DL rebuild. And the current Lindsey model is only in it's second year.
