Look, I've never liked Earl Watson, but he is definitely a better offensive PG than Ronnie Price is and it's not very close. A bad shot with 2 seconds left on the shot clock might as well be a turnover.
Price will likely still be on the team, so there is very little sense in arguing Watson vs Price. The real issue is that Watson is much better than Gaines, who will now likely be sent to pasture.
Although I could care less, I'm pretty sure you meant something else.Considering what's out there we certainly couldn't have done any worse than Earl Watson.
What this signing does is give the Jazz flexibility at the 1 and 2 spot. Gaines is likely not going to be picked up next year. Price and Watson will battle for the backup 1, so whoever is better will get those minutes. It also allows the jazz to use Price or Williams at the two if needed. Since Korver and Matthews are gone and Harward is still an unknown, you need to cover the 2 spot. Jeffers will have to prove himself in camp or he wont be staying either.
Kind of see the chart like this:
Williams, Price(at this point), Watson
CJ, bell, price, Hayward
AK, cj, Hayward, evans
Milsap, Jefferson, AK
Jefferson, elson, fes or another big, Okur
So if my count is correct, that puts the Jazz at 13 players. I put okur last since he is IR. This is a list of where I think they are at the moment and could very well change depending on what happens in camp. Maybe the jazz find a gem from the invitees like matthews and add a 14th player, or fes goes elsewhere. Still the first 2 rotations look like they could be competitive and our depth is pretty good if we can get production from the rookies. Looks like if a starter goes down the Jazz can make some adjustments and not have a huge drop off, the 3 being the biggest worry.
Corrected
Williams, Watson, Price
Bell, CJ, Hayward
AK, CJ, Hayward, Evans
Milsap, Jefferson, AK, Elson
Jefferson, Elson, Fes or another big, Okur
Jazz would not bring in Watson unless we felt he was the for sure back up point. Jerry hates playing Price at PG. He has said Price isn't a real point guard.
Bell is going to start. Jerry likes Bell more than CJ and AK. He is our best defender and best 3 point shooter from the wing position.
I think its up in the air for who is going to start between AK and CJ. Hopefully they actually look at last years stats and realize that AK is better starting and CJ is better off the bench.
The Jazz will most likely keep 14 this year. I think we will sign another wing player and Fesenko or another big.
Bell should start or get starter minutes and finish games. That would take the pressure off CJ and maybe make him a better player.
...unless CJ is the better all around player.
I have price over watson, and cj over bell because they had that spot at the end of last season. Basically it is their spot to loose. I also think Sloan may want a vet like bell on the second unit. Will depend on if CJ can play D in camp. Will see how things pan out in a week or so.