Millsap for Bledsoe?

[Stifle Tower]

Considering that the Jazz still wouldn't have a point guard? Still quite a bit left to be desired.

Mo is a PG. Is he a "pass-first" PG? No, but his assist totals are just fine. Jazz have had a ton of pass-first PG's like Knight, Hart, Watson and Tinsley.
Without Jefferson, without a dominant P&R player, the Jazz need to rely more on ball movement. They can have multiple facilitators; the ball doesn't always have to go from PG to shooter, back to PG, over to second option. Look how well the Jazz have functioned of late with Foye and Burks. When Tinsley and Watson are in, the opposing PG's can play soft. Let those two hit 1 of 5; that's ok. Fisher was a SG; Lakers won with him at the point. Wade is a scorer, Miami won a title with him being the primary ballhandler. Yes, those teams have superstars, but that's not the point. The point is, you can run a successful offense without having one guy be the distributor every time down the court.

 

[Siro]

Mo is a PG. Is he a "pass-first" PG? No, but his assist totals are just fine. Jazz have had a ton of pass-first PG's like Knight, Hart, Watson and Tinsley.
Without Jefferson, without a dominant P&R player, the Jazz need to rely more on ball movement. They can have multiple facilitators; the ball doesn't always have to go from PG to shooter, back to PG, over to second option. Look how well the Jazz have functioned of late with Foye and Burks. When Tinsley and Watson are in, the opposing PG's can play soft. Let those two hit 1 of 5; that's ok. Fisher was a SG; Lakers won with him at the point. Wade is a scorer, Miami won a title with him being the primary ballhandler. Yes, those teams have superstars, but that's not the point. The point is, you can run a successful offense without having one guy be the distributor every time down the court.

I'm guessing he meant a pass-first PG who isn't utter garbage.

 

[bigmike]

Frankly, I don't think we "need" a pass-first PG. I think our system is designed for PG's to get assists and facilitate baskets for other people, regardless of their style. I'd personally like to see us get a PG not in the pass-first mold. Someone a little more attack minded who can create their own shot and excel in an iso-setting (a la Deron Williams) for situations where we need someone to get us a bucket.

 

[Stifle Tower]

I'm guessing he meant a pass-first PG who isn't utter garbage.

And how many of those are there in this league? Rondo and ...?
DWill loved to score when he was with the Jazz. Utah even tried to accommodate him one year by having him play some off-guard with Maynor coming in at the point. CP is a scorer, etc., etc. Barring a reincarnation of John Stockton, the model for a PG in Utah's system is probably Deron (without the ego). But let's not throw away what we have. Burks can be every bit as effective as Maggete was in his prime. Hayward, once he learns a bit more control, is a terrific weapon driving and dishing. I WANT a multi-threat attack. Whether it's the PG, SG, or SF, have the ball moving around all the time, with all three of those guys able to step back and hit a 3 if you sag off, or drive by you if you play too tight.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

The Jazz FO probably feels the complete opposite way. But I'm still gonna say it, I say we embrace the youth movement 100% starting now.i would trade Millsap and Jefferson. Millsap for Bledsoe, then trade Jefferson for Mills and Splitter. Once all the garbage these trades could potentially bring is gone, our lineup for next year could be this:

PG: Bledsoe, Mills, Draft
SG: Hayward, Burks, Foye
SF: Carroll, Hayward
PF: Favors, Splitter, Draft
C: Kanter, Splitter, Draft

I know it a huge risk giving away all our veterans, but we know what we have if we stand pat. At best we are a 5 seed, and maybe we win one playoff series. That's not good enough for me. I know this team could totally suck, but I don't think so. They are all about the same age, they could grow together. Think of the potential defense of that starting five. Burks could be a great number one option off the bench. Foye is a maybe, but if we could convince him to come back cheap and be a three point specialist of the bench, I think it could work. Kanter could be one of the best big men in the league. Remember last year? He looked totally lost and consistently missed dunks and layups. He looks like a completely different person this year, imagine in a few more years.

I would start Favors and Kanter for the rest of the year. Let them know you are committed to them for the future, then this summer offer Favors an extension. We can probably get him for below max now, but not for long. Do the same with the rest of the core 4 (5 with Bledsoe) when the time comes. I would love to see that team in 3 years.

Yea, maybe we end up totally sucking. So what? The number of championships would still be the same if we stood pat and had a couple of early playoff exits. And at least this team would be fun as hell to watch. If we want to be a real contender this gives us our best chance.

Ok I'm done. Sorry guys.

Sidenote: at least get this trade done! Please!

 

[Siro]

And how many of those are there in this league? Rondo and ...?
DWill loved to score when he was with the Jazz. Utah even tried to accommodate him one year by having him play some off-guard with Maynor coming in at the point. CP is a scorer, etc., etc. Barring a reincarnation of John Stockton, the model for a PG in Utah's system is probably Deron (without the ego). But let's not throw away what we have. Burks can be every bit as effective as Maggete was in his prime. Hayward, once he learns a bit more control, is a terrific weapon driving and dishing. I WANT a multi-threat attack. Whether it's the PG, SG, or SF, have the ball moving around all the time, with all three of those guys able to step back and hit a 3 if you sag off, or drive by you if you play too tight.

I'm sure you're right. Rondo is my absolute ideal PG. Barring that, I suppose we can create an OKC-style PG-less system. We would need a better coach first, of course.

 

[QuinSnydersHair]

With hayward's and burk's ability to pass, I'm not sure we need to worry about finding a guy who can get 9+ assists per game. i'm not sure we want someone that ball dominant. but we should be looking for a point who can get 7.5 assists or so, hopefully defend, and shoot and drive reasonablie well

 

[Sneakers]

Idiotic to trade Burks because of contract concerns 2-3 years down the road. Why not keep both and see who is better at that point? Maybe they'll both end up being ones we want to keep.

I don't get why the Jazz drafted Burks over Leonard if they really just don't care for him.

 

[The Midnight]

Idiotic to trade Burks because of contract concerns 2-3 years down the road. Why not keep both and see who is better at that point? Maybe they'll both end up being ones we want to keep.

I don't get why the Jazz drafted Burks over Leonard if they really just don't care for him.

Straight after the draft KOC was interviewed and he said - when we were on the clock there was a bit of panic as who to pick - but in the end he had to remind everyone that the work the scouts did throughout the year was to find the "best player available" and they simply did that. He again used Michael Jordan as an example.

I think with Leonard still on the board - there must have been some pressures to pick him, but I guess in the end the BPA won out.

 

[Sneakers]

Straight after the draft KOC was interviewed and he said - when we were on the clock there was a bit of panic as who to pick - but in the end he had to remind everyone that the work the scouts did throughout the year was to find the "best player available" and they simply did that. He again used Michael Jordan as an example.

I think with Leonard still on the board - there must have been some pressures to pick him, but I guess in the end the BPA won out.

Thx for the info. Point is that Locke's reasoning behind just doesn't add up. Do the Jazz really value Burks so little they're comfortable using him as a "throw in" to avoid a hypothetical potential sticky contract situation in 2 years that might not even happen and wouldn't even be a bad thing if it did happen?? I will rage if that happens, and I will rage harder if that is used as the justification the Jazz controlled media start selling to the fans.

 

[Jazz4ever]

I've been saying this for weeks. I've probably seen as many Clipper games as Jazz games this year (I moved to LA last November to start my new research project), and I guarantee you that this fleet of big men removes them from serious title contention. Free-agent-to-be Mr. Chris Paul knows this, too.

Yup. Durant and Westbrook could potentially foul out Blake and DeAndre by the first half depending on how the refs are calling it.

 

[fallenchicken]

God I can't wait for the trade deadline though... if the clippers want this trade it'll happen, so we're just waiting on them. I hope it happens, but if it's not going to I'd like the deadline to end just so I'm not thinking about it and can root for a sixth seed.

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

God I can't wait for the trade deadline though... if the clippers want this trade it'll happen, so we're just waiting on them. I hope it happens, but if it's not going to I'd like the deadline to end just so I'm not thinking about it and can root for a sixth seed.

How do you know this. For all we know they are waiting for us to want it.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I've been saying this for weeks. I've probably seen as many Clipper games as Jazz games this year (I moved to LA last November to start my new research project), and I guarantee you that this fleet of big men removes them from serious title contention. Free-agent-to-be Mr. Chris Paul knows this, too.

Agreed, but do the Clippers want somebody as expensive as Millsap? There is a fairly good selection of backup big men this upcoming FA for the Clips to choose from.

I don't buy that Paul is going to leave the Clippers if they don't make a move by the deadline. I don't see him as being that irrational. That being said, I'm pretty sure Paul has some executive decision making powers granted to him, so if he wants Millsap it might happen. If he doesn't, then it won't.

 

[fallenchicken]

How do you know this. For all we know they are waiting for us to want it.

It would be complete lunacy if the trade's like we understand it and it's the Jazz FO that isn't pulling the trigger. That'd make no sense for the future of this team. Millsap won't be here next year. I know people hate the FO but it doesn't take a KOC or a Lindsey to know that if you get Bledsoe WHILE clearing the logjam and finally getting Favors the starting job he's deserved all year, you've successfully built a future team--that's what KOC says whenever he gets on the radio. "We're putting ourselves in a position to take advantage..."

It would mean Burks is the odd one out, but no one's taking burks over bled. And we might not have to trade him right away.

If it ever came out that the Jazz had the opportunity to do it and didn't in favor of keeping Millsap for another 28 games and, effectively, picking Mo Williams over Bledsoe...i'd be irate. But no way that's what's happening. Here's what's happening:

Clippers are weighing their options, deciding if Millsap is the right move for them to make a deep run, and hoping for a better deal (KG). They might decide it's better to stand pat.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I was playing around with the trade machine looking at scenarios for the Clippers. Given their cap situation and their current salaries, it would be difficult for them to take a player at a higher salary slot than Millsap. Although they have enough cap flexibility to pull off a deal, they don't really have enough trade assets to bring back a Paul Pierce, Josh Smith, KG, etc. They might be able to get a player that teams want to unload, like Bargs, Ben Gordon or Monta Ellis, but those players don't help the Clips. The Clips don't really have many other viable trade options to improve their team this year.

 

[mhindy]

Plus, for all the talk about how Millsap wouldn't be that big a help I really think he would. He's replacing minutes for Odom, Turiaf, and Hollins. All of those guys are terrible, while Millsap as a starter is at least solid, trending towards quite good. Millsap vs Dejuan Blair, etc is a blowout.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Agreed, but do the Clippers want somebody as expensive as Millsap? There is a fairly good selection of backup big men this upcoming FA for the Clips to choose from.

I don't buy that Paul is going to leave the Clippers if they don't make a move by the deadline. I don't see him as being that irrational. That being said, I'm pretty sure Paul has some executive decision making powers granted to him, so if he wants Millsap it might happen. If he doesn't, then it won't.

Again, the Clippers' team-building strategy is based on free agency, not necessarily retaining existing players. The fact that Sap expires and might not sign with them is actually a good thing for the Clips who could recruit a big-time player to team with CP and Blake Griffin. Helping them get out of Caron Butler's deal is doing the Clips a favor. They can re-up CP and recruit a FA along with him.

They need to a) compete this year, and b) get under the cap if they can this summer to retool through free agency.

 

[QuinSnydersHair]

I was playing around with the trade machine looking at scenarios for the Clippers. Given their cap situation and their current salaries, it would be difficult for them to take a player at a higher salary slot than Millsap. Although they have enough cap flexibility to pull off a deal, they don't really have enough trade assets to bring back a Paul Pierce

Butler, Odom, and Bledsoe for Pierce and Barbosa. The Clippers get a big upgrade at the small forward position and replace Bledsoe with Barbosa. Or Bradley for that matter. The Celts get a solid young piece in Bledsoe and will have 16M off the books come summer. Maybe the Celts get a 1st rounder too.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Again, the Clippers' team-building strategy is based on free agency, not necessarily retaining existing players. The fact that Sap expires and might not sign with them is actually a good thing for the Clips who could recruit a big-time player to team with CP and Blake Griffin. Helping them get out of Caron Butler's deal is doing the Clips a favor. They can re-up CP and recruit a FA along with him.

They need to a) compete this year, and b) get under the cap if they can this summer to retool through free agency.

Ok, but are they willing to trade Butler? I would assume we would have to give them Carroll so they could retain some wing depth. They would have to start Matt Barnes at SF, which would make their wings even weaker.

I would imagine trading Butler would make Paul slightly upset.