Jack Strop
Well-Known Member
Yes, Utah has cap space. But everyone clamoring for Utah to do something...anything to use it up fails to see the implications for 2017/18.
1. Are there any trades that move the needle for Hayward? Only two, IMO: getting Love or Paul George. And neither are going to happen. Utah likely would have to be the third team in a Cleveland/Indiana/Utah triangle. There's nothing, short of Gobert, that would convince either team to deal with Utah right now. Indiana can get better assets elsewhere.
2. Using cap space to take on a bad deal? Worst decision Lindsey could make.
We know Hayward wants Hill to return. That might be what he hopes to see Lindsey do by July 3rd: agree to terms with Hill (contingent on Hayward signing).
If Utah retains Hill, Hayward and Ingles, signs Teodosic (or another player for the MLE) - and offloads Mack, Withey and Diaw (don't pick up his option), the payroll could be $130M-$135M. There simply isn't room for another big or even medium contract. Utah is likely very willing to pay the tax THIS year to keep Hayward. But they won't be a repeat offender. So they're going to have to get under the tax in at least 2 of the subsequent 3 seasons. They do that by not re-signing Favs, trying to dump Alec and then maybe parting with Exum or Hood (although I think they'd like to fit both under the tax).
Hayward sitting down on July 3rd with Utah indicates, to me, that he is leaning towards re-signing. He just wants to make sure Lindsey has made some moves first. Lindsey took step 1 by tendering a QO to Ingles. Step 2 is the rumor of Teodosic. The icing on the cake would be to tell Hayward that George Hill has agreed to terms.
If DL added a PG (like Rubio), that ends the chance of Hill coming to terms. Add another wing (?) and does that send Ingles elsewhere? That leaves PF. And I can't see any "gettable" player whose team is motivated enough to deal with Utah before July 1st.
Hopefully, Hill can shop the market for a couple of days, circle back with Gordon and Lindsey and agree to a contract in the 4/$80M range. It's an overpay, but the Jazz do it to keep Gordon. If he wants more, Dennis appeals to Gordon's common sense, and trades for Rubio.
1. Are there any trades that move the needle for Hayward? Only two, IMO: getting Love or Paul George. And neither are going to happen. Utah likely would have to be the third team in a Cleveland/Indiana/Utah triangle. There's nothing, short of Gobert, that would convince either team to deal with Utah right now. Indiana can get better assets elsewhere.
2. Using cap space to take on a bad deal? Worst decision Lindsey could make.
We know Hayward wants Hill to return. That might be what he hopes to see Lindsey do by July 3rd: agree to terms with Hill (contingent on Hayward signing).
If Utah retains Hill, Hayward and Ingles, signs Teodosic (or another player for the MLE) - and offloads Mack, Withey and Diaw (don't pick up his option), the payroll could be $130M-$135M. There simply isn't room for another big or even medium contract. Utah is likely very willing to pay the tax THIS year to keep Hayward. But they won't be a repeat offender. So they're going to have to get under the tax in at least 2 of the subsequent 3 seasons. They do that by not re-signing Favs, trying to dump Alec and then maybe parting with Exum or Hood (although I think they'd like to fit both under the tax).
Hayward sitting down on July 3rd with Utah indicates, to me, that he is leaning towards re-signing. He just wants to make sure Lindsey has made some moves first. Lindsey took step 1 by tendering a QO to Ingles. Step 2 is the rumor of Teodosic. The icing on the cake would be to tell Hayward that George Hill has agreed to terms.
If DL added a PG (like Rubio), that ends the chance of Hill coming to terms. Add another wing (?) and does that send Ingles elsewhere? That leaves PF. And I can't see any "gettable" player whose team is motivated enough to deal with Utah before July 1st.
Hopefully, Hill can shop the market for a couple of days, circle back with Gordon and Lindsey and agree to a contract in the 4/$80M range. It's an overpay, but the Jazz do it to keep Gordon. If he wants more, Dennis appeals to Gordon's common sense, and trades for Rubio.
