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Following potential 2015 draftees

To those saying that #12/Burks/Burke for Hezonja is too much:

You're right in the sense that it's an overpay, but (imo) you're wrong about it being too much. With the prospects likely to be available at #12, giving up a 6th man (on this roster), who is a questionable fit in this system, is coming off of a major injury, & has yet to prove he is worth the lucrative contract extension that he signed (although it admittedly could become a steal eventually), & a likely backup PG, who may not even stick in the league, plus our pick, for a player who has arguably the best combination of offensive potential, 3 pt shooting, & athleticism (when offense & 3 pt shooting are our biggest needs) is not too much.

This is likely our last chance at acquiring that final all-star caliber 5th starter, who brings the offense & 3 pt shooting that is necessary alongside our other starters, while having the length & athleticism to play plus defense. If giving up Burks, who I like, is what it takes to acquire what could possibly make the difference between being playoff regulars & legitimate championship contenders, it would be silly to not do so. 6th men (Burks), backup PG's (Burke), & 3rd bigs (likely options at #12) are replaceable, 6'8 SG/SF's who have the potential to score 20 ppg, shoot 40% from 3 pt, & play plus defense are not.
 
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I wouldn't call Burks surgery major. A major surgery is something with the feet or knees. His contract isn't bad at all either. I'd rather gamble on Burks.
 
Per 40 Minutes, stats at Kansas:

Andrew Wiggins - 20.8 PPG on 14.7 FGA per game, 7.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 45% from field, 34% from three.

Kelly Oubre - 17.6 PPG on 13.1 FGA per game, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 44% from field, 36% from three.

I'm obviously not saying Oubre is better or is going to be better than Wiggins, but damn he compares well as far as stats go. Oubre had a 92.6 defensive rating while Wiggins had a 102.8 (the lower the rating the better). Marcus Smart had a 92.3 defensive rating in college last year just for a comparative stand point.

Oubre shot 36% from three this year on 95 attempts and had a great defensive rating. This guy could be the ultimate 3 and D player, but also the potential to be better than that.
 
Burks has already somewhat proven himself. Maybe people forgot what with his not playing much last year due to injury. But his game reminds me of Wade. He is an AND1 monster.

Hezonja? Looks good, but ya never know.
 
Per 40 Minutes, stats at Kansas:

Andrew Wiggins - 20.8 PPG on 14.7 FGA per game, 7.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 45% from field, 34% from three.

Kelly Oubre - 17.6 PPG on 13.1 FGA per game, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 44% from field, 36% from three.

I'm obviously not saying Oubre is better or is going to be better than Wiggins, but damn he compares well as far as stats go. Oubre had a 92.6 defensive rating while Wiggins had a 102.8 (the lower the rating the better). Marcus Smart had a 92.3 defensive rating in college last year just for a comparative stand point.

Oubre shot 36% from three this year on 95 attempts and had a great defensive rating. This guy could be the ultimate 3 and D player, but also the potential to be better than that.

Is a wing more important to pick up than a big for the Jazz?
 
I'm surprised how Kaminsky's stock has plummeted amongst jazzfanzers. Why?

Not because of the Wondo's tweet (or whatever that place is called).

Is it because he said he only wants to go to 3 places and Utah wasn't one of them?
 
I'm surprised how Kaminsky's stock has plummeted amongst jazzfanzers. Why?

Not because of the Wondo's tweet (or whatever that place is called).

Is it because he said he only wants to go to 3 places and Utah wasn't one of them?
Recency bias. If we see Kaminsky in Utah next week, he'd probably get some hype back ...
 
For real, strong source.

Rae ✨ @Rae_Of_Samshine
We saw Frank Kaminsky come into Wandos with a girl on each arm. He ignored everyone and acted like a jerk. Walked out by himself. #KARMA

Translation: "Frank walked into Wandos with two women. He just wanted to get some food without being bothered and didn't want to take selfies with everybody. Also he left them there and walked out by himself apparently and I'm jealous that he is famous and going to make millions of dollars."

A big who is a strong rebounder, all about offense, has a girl on each arm and is arrogant. It's feels like deja vu...all over again!
 
Is a wing more important to pick up than a big for the Jazz?

Good question. They always answer BPA. But to answer your question I think the wing position is more crowded than the front court. There's somewhat of a need in the frontcourt. But if the FO thinks one of the wings will be a superstar then they gotta draft him.
 
To Doublea:

I probably overstated the severity of his injury & risk of his contract, but the fact that Burks needs the ball in his hands to create &, while improving, is unlikely to ever be a great 3 pt shooter, likely keeps him out of the starting lineup. As much as I like Hood, I don't think it is wise to bank on him becoming our 5th starter. Burks' future is limited on this roster (imo), while Hezonja has the potential to be an all-star & the perfect compliment to Exum, Hayward, Favors, & Gobert.
 
Good question. They always answer BPA. But to answer your question I think the wing position is more crowded than the front court. There's somewhat of a need in the frontcourt. But if the FO thinks one of the wings will be a superstar then they gotta draft him.

The thing is the wing/guards rotation is more crowded but is less established(i.e. whoever we draft has better chance to get the starting job in a year or two and be our long-term starter). WIth the bigs - we have fewer of them, but chance is - whoever we draft he won't be able to take either Rudy's or Favors' starting spot any time soon...

So yah... I don't know about that... If we get to choose between a big and a wing that are equal quality according to our FO, it will be interesting to know which one they'd choose. I have no idea... What do you guys think?

To me, I think I'd favor the wing, because it will give us the biggest jump in quality of play (minutes included in the consideration) if the guy pans out. For example, I can see Oubre or Johnson becoming a much better player than Burks(I'm not saying they will, but that there is a good enough chance one of them will), while I don't think it's very likely for Turner or Kaminsky to ever become better than Favors or Gobert.
 
Burks has already somewhat proven himself. Maybe people forgot what with his not playing much last year due to injury. But his game reminds me of Wade. He is an AND1 monster.

Hezonja? Looks good, but ya never know.
Exactly. Last season he worked on his 3's and brought his percentage up significantly. But he was hammered in here by many for his lack of finishing. I forget what the % drop was, but it was fairly sizeable. That really shouldn't be a surprise; he had limited range of motion and was playing through pain.

The reason to consider trading Burks is his salary and Hood. Rodney showed he's capable of starting (if healthy). And getting Hezonja on a rookie deal would help the salary situation in the future. Not sure I'd do it, but I can see why some are advocating for the trade. I think the offer should be Burks OR Burke plus the #12 to move up. Maybe throw in a future first (the worst of our picks and OKC or GS).
 
To BENTLEY:

Not saying that he hasn't proved himself to be a good player. He absolutely is &, as you say, he is an AND1 monster. He really does have elite finishing ability around the rim, I just don't see his skill-set as a good fit in our projected starting 5. All I was saying is that he isn't a proven good fit in this offensive or defensive system, nor is he a proven $10 mil player (although I'd be surprised if he isn't with the future cap increase). And while you never know about a prospect entering the NBA, Utah has to take risks to force it's way into the championship picture & Hezonja seems to be as good of a risk as there is to take in this year's draft.
 
karl malone - what do you consider a great 3pt shooter? Burks shot 38% last year - and is improving. He already is a great slasher/AND1 finisher + his 3pt% is on the incline. Truth be told I have more love for Burks than I do Hayward.
 
Well, karl malone I think you're really passionate about your pov. You've conceded Burks is an AND1 monster and great at finishing around the rim. But your hang up is that we need outside shooting more - for our specific players (to open things up for the frontcourt). I understand, but it appears Burks is improving his 3pt% - so that should give you pause before trading him away. He can still fit in with the Jazz offense. I'm not comfortable trading either of Burks or Hood for Hezonja. Hezonja looks good but also arrogant. Arrogant's not necessarily bad, but it's something to think about. ...Kirk Snyder was pretty arrogant too. Anyway, I'm sure your opinion hasn't changed, but neither has mine.
 
BENTLEY, to be considered a great 3 pt shooter imo, you have to average more than 2.5 attempts in 33 mpg. The percentage was excellent considering that his game is slashing/finishing & not shooting. It's not that I don't like his game, it's simply that I don't view him as a good fit alongside Exum, Hayward, Favors, & Gobert. With our frontcourt, I see it as necessary to have a second shooter alongside Hayward, especially since Exum doesn't project to be great in that area. If it wasn't for the presence of Hood, I would be much more hesitant to trade Burks & even still, would only do so for the right player (which I believe Hezonja to be due to his potential to be the better shooter & defender). As far as his attitude/character, I agree that it is the main concern with him (which is part of why I think 1 of Hood/Burks would have to go as Hezonja likely needs to feel like part of the team's future). If it wasn't for the leadership of Snyder, Hayward, Favors, & Gobert, I may be less willing to potentially risk the great team chemistry that has been established. I just see Hezonja as a special talent & great fit who is worth the risk.
 
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Say whatever you want about Locke, but the guy works his behind off and produces a ton of quality content for the fans(some of it is not even required by his job):

David Locke ‏@Lockedonsports 1h1 hour ago

PODCAST SCHEDULE
Monday: Oubre, Lyles, Turner
Tue: Chad Ford Part 1
Wed: Ford Part 2
Thur: Pelton Part 1
Fri: Pelton Part 2
David Locke ‏@Lockedonsports 1h1 hour ago

DRAFT WEEK PODCAST SCHEDULE
Mon: Jonathan Givony Part 1
Tue: Jonathan Givony Part 2
Wed: Green Room Players
Thur: Live from NYC
 
Hezonja is a shoot for the moon player. He has not proven anything. He is not a great shooter. He just has potential. He has hardly played. He has the tools to be a good player, he has length, attitude, decent shooting mechanics and athleticism that could make him great. He could also bust out of this league. I think he has one of the highest bust potential of anyone projected to go in the lottery. I would be happy if we could draft him but I think it would be a mistake to give up too much for him. If he busts and we gave up our last lottery pick, and two other players we took in the lottery the last few years that could set this team back. If you can trade picks for him like the OKC pick or GS pick than maybe. If not just let a decent player slide to us at 12. A good player will be there at 12.
 
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