Will the Jazz pick up Udoka’s option?

[Handlogten's Heros]

Scanned realgm and saw mention again of the DL Snyder rift having to do with Udoka and other picks DL made. Made me think the kid is not getting his option picked up. Deadline is Sunday. Option is only 2.2M next year so barely over the minimum… if you don’t pick it up you may as well trade or release the guy.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Third option: feverishly trying to trade him before then.

But yeah, Udoka’s fate seems tied to the only dude that thought drafting him there was the best option possible.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Jazz normally like to carry a 3rd center in case one is out of the lineup. I think the Jazz will keep him because he fits their rim protector/pnr archetype and he doesn't cost much.

 

[gomretat]

Jazz normally like to carry a 3rd center in case one is out of the lineup. I think the Jazz will keep him because he fits their rim protector/pnr archetype and he doesn't cost much.

He does fit the archetype of the defensive scheme the Jazz have bought into. And obviously that was more than a DL thing evidenced by signing Whiteside. DOK may not work out but if he doesn't they will keep searching for the same type of physical attributes in someone else.

 

[infection]

70% yes.

 

[homeytennis]

I would say a big fat No. Dok is another version of Isaac Haas except Big Ike could shoot free throws.

 

[jom2003]

Time for JZ to prove to jazz fans that he's not just Dennis Lindsey’s sidekick

 

[infection]

Would we have won the title if we had Isaac Austin the year he won MIP which was our first finals run?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Jazz normally like to carry a 3rd center in case one is out of the lineup. I think the Jazz will keep him because he fits their rim protector/pnr archetype and he doesn't cost much.

It’s the age old Tony Bradley question. If Whiteside got injured and was out for the year would the team get a center off the waiver wire or trade for someone or would they roll with Udoka? I’m guessing they’d head to the bargain bin and if they weren’t successful they’d just go small. So is he really a third center?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Would we have won the title if we had Isaac Austin the year he won MIP which was our first finals run?

Can’t remember but I say yes. Why not.

 

[infection]

Can’t remember but I say yes. Why not.

I think we win it the next year with Seikaly, too, that son of a bitch. It makes me feel like the old woman in What About Bob.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think we win it the next year with Seikaly, too, that son of a bitch. It makes me feel like the old woman in What About Bob.

Seikaly would have been huge for us. That one hurt.

 

[infection]

Seikaly would have been huge for us. That one hurt.

Dude could have a ring and instead he’s a DJ.

 

[KqWIN]

He's pretty awful and I don't see a ton of upside, but basically a minimum contract. The only player I can think of who had his rookie option declined and ended up being ok is Looney.

 

[NAOS]

70% yes.

That’s about where I am. Maybe 75-80%. Whiteside is a one-year phenomenon, I think. So Udoka will likely be groomed and then given a shot to be the backup next year. Unless some weird deal comes along.

 

[NUMBERICA]

That’s about where I am. Maybe 75-80%. Whiteside is a one-year phenomenon, I think. So Udoka will likely be groomed and then given a shot to be the backup next year. Unless some weird deal comes along.

Here’s the thing though: he has no way to see the floor (4th or even 5th string center with 0 positional versatility) AND he’s terrible AND he costs money playing for a franchise WAY over the tax.

There’s not a great case for paying that when you can literally go grab any number of unskilled bigs off the scrap heap for the minimum that are probably more playable than he is.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

That’s about where I am. Maybe 75-80%. Whiteside is a one-year phenomenon, I think. So Udoka will likely be groomed and then given a shot to be the backup next year. Unless some weird deal comes along.

Here’s the thing though: he has no way to see the floor (4th or even 5th string center with 0 positional versatility) AND he’s terrible AND he costs money playing for a franchise WAY over the tax.

There’s not a great case for paying that when you can literally go grab any number of unskilled bigs off the scrap heap for the minimum that are probably more playable than he is.

Basically cut his name about and replace it with Tony Bradley’s and we can recycle a **** ton of threads.

I don’t think Whiteside needs to be a one year thing. If he’s good all season just bring him back. He’s in the javale McGee, Dwight Howard, tier of bigs where they will basically get minimums or close to it no matter how functional they are.

If we detach ourself from how Udoka was acquired… would this be much of a discussion? I honestly don’t know. I just think if it isn’t Hassan Whiteside there will always be an Alex Len, Dwayne Dedmon, Javale McGee out there for the minimum… will Udoka be better than those guys next year? What about small ball options?

If it were up to me I’d be calling to try and trade him for a second and hopefully no returning salary. Use the roster spot on something else… that is slightly cheaper. If no takers then I’m declining the option… can groom him still but no guaranteed deal and he can earn it or walk.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

It’s the age old Tony Bradley question. If Whiteside got injured and was out for the year would the team get a center off the waiver wire or trade for someone or would they roll with Udoka? I’m guessing they’d head to the bargain bin and if they weren’t successful they’d just go small. So is he really a third center?

He really can't bring his energy for more than 5-minute stints. He's not going to play starter minutes, imo.

 

[jom2003]

Basically cut his name about and replace it with Tony Bradley’s and we can recycle a **** ton of threads.

I don’t think Whiteside needs to be a one year thing. If he’s good all season just bring him back. He’s in the javale McGee, Dwight Howard, tier of bigs where they will basically get minimums or close to it no matter how functional they are.

If we detach ourself from how Udoka was acquired… would this be much of a discussion? I honestly don’t know. I just think if it isn’t Hassan Whiteside there will always be an Alex Len, Dwayne Dedmon, Javale McGee out there for the minimum… will Udoka be better than those guys next year? What about small ball options?

If it were up to me I’d be calling to try and trade him for a second and hopefully no returning salary. Use the roster spot on something else… that is slightly cheaper. If no takers then I’m declining the option… can groom him still but no guaranteed deal and he can earn it or walk.

Or Biyombo who's available right now and basically had the same number as Favors last season. But instead he's having difficulties find a job right now. That's why I doubt any team would even bother offering Doke a 10-day the moment we let him go.

 

[NUMBERICA]

He really can't bring his energy for more than 5-minute stints. He's not going to play starter minutes, imo.

If the Jazz ever needed Udoka, he'd either be playing against starters to keep the rotation consistent, or the rotation would get screwed with.

The dude is just not that good at basketball and the Jazz have depth. I would be stunned if he plays 1 minute outside of garbage time.