Is it crazy to think the Jazz are actually much better than any of us give them credit for? Are we taking for granted how good the core of this team can be when they arent surrounded by very negative players? Are we underrating the potential of Collin Sexton? Can the Jazz turn Sexton into the next Jalen Brunson (give him the keys and 20 shots per game)?
Why are we talking so much about reaching for a #1 option when Sexton and Lauri where two of the best offensive players in the NBA? How much further can we push Sexton forward by giving him the keys to the offense and putting role players around him and Lauri who are positive on both ends?
Lauri and Sexton were ranked 9th and 22nd overall in OBPM. I know this isnt the end all be all offensive stat, but you could make a pretty easy argument that they were two top 30 players when it comes to offense and with another bump from Sexton, could be two top 20 offensive players. Do we really need to be desperate for more primary offense? I'm not saying these two will takes us the promise land, we will probably eventually need another top offensive option, but I dont see the desperation to reach if the goal is to be competitive and position your team to take another step when the opportunity presents itself. But in the mean time, shouldnt we take our best ball-in-hand scorer and try to turn him into a guy that is seen as one of those players?
It seems like we should be targeting more 2-way players (for lack of better term) and defenders.
Right now, you could probably say OG Anunoby would be the dream UFA. I think that's about as good as a snowball's chance in hell, but who knows. Maybe we should actually swing on Patrick Williams? Maybe we should throw an offer at Isaac Okoro? Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin are safe as players who can play D while not being too much of a liability on offense. Push for Jonathan Isaacs trade?
But overall the biggest help to the defense will be Walker Kessler pulling his head out of his *** and actually developing w/o all the Eeyore vibes, John Collins getting back to being a solid defender (or offloading him w/ a better floor-spacer who is OK defensively to allow Walker to play more if he actually improves), and internal improvement from Keyonte/Hendricks (both who I assume have significant roles next year).
But after typing all that out and pondering, I would say trade for Jonathan Isaac. Clarkson +10 for Isaac seems incredibly fair to me (remind the Magic Clarkson has a very positive wingspan), after all Isaac only has a year left on his deal and they probably cant afford to bring him back. If the Magic want some other pick, I would be open to trading a future pick or some combination of picks. I know Isaac isnt the best shooter, but him at the 5 next to Lauri would let the Jazz play 5 out while still having good defensive talent. That would space the floor so the Jazz could take advantage of Sexton's scoring ability and help him on defense.
After securing Isaacs, I would use 29+32 to move up to draft Pacome Dadiet, a 6'9 forward w/ legit 3 level scoring and self-creating potential. That would give the Jazz three rookie contract prospects with self-creation potential (Keyonte/Brice/Dadiet).
Cam Johnson would be my backup option to Isaacs. Doesnt have the ceiling, but is a safe option as a sharp-shooter who is average defensively. I'd use the 10th to get him as well. I could probably talk myself into this being my primary option and Isaacs being the backup option given Cam's fit is easier next to Kessler and just generally makes roster building easier and is more reliable. I just have no idea what Brooklyn is doing so IDK if they would really value the 10th pick and John Collins? No idea.
If you dont trade the 10th pick, no more ****ing small guards. Sexton is THE small guard, and Keyonte is our mid-sized. We want size around them. Devin Carter is as small as I would go.
Only rough part is that would create a "logjam" in the frontcourt you would like to resolve by trading Collins or Walker, but I wouldnt be overly eager to make a move right away as I would like to see how a Collins/Lauri/Isaacs starting front-court fared while keeping Walker on the backburner in a backup role where he has hopefully matured.
Why are we talking so much about reaching for a #1 option when Sexton and Lauri where two of the best offensive players in the NBA? How much further can we push Sexton forward by giving him the keys to the offense and putting role players around him and Lauri who are positive on both ends?
Lauri and Sexton were ranked 9th and 22nd overall in OBPM. I know this isnt the end all be all offensive stat, but you could make a pretty easy argument that they were two top 30 players when it comes to offense and with another bump from Sexton, could be two top 20 offensive players. Do we really need to be desperate for more primary offense? I'm not saying these two will takes us the promise land, we will probably eventually need another top offensive option, but I dont see the desperation to reach if the goal is to be competitive and position your team to take another step when the opportunity presents itself. But in the mean time, shouldnt we take our best ball-in-hand scorer and try to turn him into a guy that is seen as one of those players?
It seems like we should be targeting more 2-way players (for lack of better term) and defenders.
Right now, you could probably say OG Anunoby would be the dream UFA. I think that's about as good as a snowball's chance in hell, but who knows. Maybe we should actually swing on Patrick Williams? Maybe we should throw an offer at Isaac Okoro? Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin are safe as players who can play D while not being too much of a liability on offense. Push for Jonathan Isaacs trade?
But overall the biggest help to the defense will be Walker Kessler pulling his head out of his *** and actually developing w/o all the Eeyore vibes, John Collins getting back to being a solid defender (or offloading him w/ a better floor-spacer who is OK defensively to allow Walker to play more if he actually improves), and internal improvement from Keyonte/Hendricks (both who I assume have significant roles next year).
But after typing all that out and pondering, I would say trade for Jonathan Isaac. Clarkson +10 for Isaac seems incredibly fair to me (remind the Magic Clarkson has a very positive wingspan), after all Isaac only has a year left on his deal and they probably cant afford to bring him back. If the Magic want some other pick, I would be open to trading a future pick or some combination of picks. I know Isaac isnt the best shooter, but him at the 5 next to Lauri would let the Jazz play 5 out while still having good defensive talent. That would space the floor so the Jazz could take advantage of Sexton's scoring ability and help him on defense.
After securing Isaacs, I would use 29+32 to move up to draft Pacome Dadiet, a 6'9 forward w/ legit 3 level scoring and self-creating potential. That would give the Jazz three rookie contract prospects with self-creation potential (Keyonte/Brice/Dadiet).
Cam Johnson would be my backup option to Isaacs. Doesnt have the ceiling, but is a safe option as a sharp-shooter who is average defensively. I'd use the 10th to get him as well. I could probably talk myself into this being my primary option and Isaacs being the backup option given Cam's fit is easier next to Kessler and just generally makes roster building easier and is more reliable. I just have no idea what Brooklyn is doing so IDK if they would really value the 10th pick and John Collins? No idea.
If you dont trade the 10th pick, no more ****ing small guards. Sexton is THE small guard, and Keyonte is our mid-sized. We want size around them. Devin Carter is as small as I would go.
Only rough part is that would create a "logjam" in the frontcourt you would like to resolve by trading Collins or Walker, but I wouldnt be overly eager to make a move right away as I would like to see how a Collins/Lauri/Isaacs starting front-court fared while keeping Walker on the backburner in a backup role where he has hopefully matured.
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