I'm struggling with two contradictory impulses. On the one hand, I want to trust the Jazz FO and give them the benefit of doubt that they they did all that was reasonable to improve the team but would not allow themselves to be pressured into giving up too much or making an otherwise dumb move. On the other hand, I watch every other team wheeling and dealing to try to improve, adding pieces that the Jazz have previously expressed interest in (e.g., Porter & Mirotic), while the Jazz FO does nothing, in which case, I wonder if the FO is being too cautious and valuing certain players too much, and thus not taking risks to improve the team. (Let's face it, most moves entail risk.)
Here's what I do know/think:
1. Jazz, as currently constituted, are a flawed team that lacks consistent shooting/scoring from key positions, particularly PG and PF.
2. I love Rubio as a person, but he's too inconsistent. I also love Favors as person, but he does nothing to stretch the floor and create spacing. He's a center, not a PF, in today's NBA.
3. Jazz need other relatively high usage player, who can score reasonably efficiently and from distance, to take some of the pressure off Mitchell. Preferably, this player plays either PG or PF.
4. As currently constituted, Jazz ceiling is 2nd round, and most likely, this year, 1st round exit.
5. The narrative that Utah somehow become a desirable free agent destination is a delusion. If we're going to upgrade in any significant way, it will have to be through draft or trades.
5. Jazz need serious upgrading to be competitive in a brutal Western Conference. Staying the course and relying on continuity and/or upgrading at the margins simply won't cut it any more. At some point, barring getting very, very lucky in the draft, the Jazz FO will need to make a significant and risky trade to upgrade.
6. If it's Exum that's holding up a move to upgrade, I'm a bit annoyed. I have no confidence that Exum will ever achieve his potential. His future is replacement level player or slightly above. I am beginning to think that the FO's devotion to him is approaching irrationality status. If he can be moved to achieve a serious upgrade, then for God's sake, move him.
If the Jazz come out of this FA period without making a considered, albeit potentially risky, move to upgrade, I'll be disappointed, and I confess that it will seriously try my faith in the FO and Lindsey. (BTW, I don't consider Dragic a significant upgrade over Rubio.)
