NBA Thread

[chop2chip]

Rumor is Mornoe will get anywhere from 12-15 per and Wes wants 15 but everyone seems to think he will have to settle for 10-11 with the injury.

I would be real surprised if any player settled below market to sign in New York. With the cap rising, I could see Monroe and Wes both signing for over 15 million per. Too many teams like Milwaukee that have short term cap space that want to make a splash that will escalate those salaries.

[thethe]

Trade our first rounder to OKC for Waiters... Okay that was my last troll concerning that until the season. Also, I think OKC has done a great job this offseason. You likely upgraded your coaching staff and selected the best player you could have asked for at 14.

As for the Jazz, obviously we aren't going to sign any premier free agents any time soon. The one that we have an okay shot of landing, Paul Millsap, is also the one we shouldn't be signing. If he would sign, Danny Green would be a really nice fit, but I still think we are going to have to keep our books clean as much as possible to make sure we can resign Gobert, Hayward (player option after year 3), etc.

The Jazz's biggest weakness is at the point guard position, but it's also their position with the highest upside. You don't draft Exum knowing that he's going to be a three year project just to replace him with somebody like Patrick Beverly. The fact that he's such a fantastic defensive point guard allows you to keep him on the floor and still be competitive. I believe the Jazz were 27-13 with him as the starting point guard. Trey Burke likely isn't going to amount to anything, but if we can't sign/trade for an obvious upgrade who can split time with Exum ala Jrue Holliday, George Hill, etc. then we are probably better off just keeping Burke for another year.

Our biggest upgrade this year will be getting Alec Burks back. His raw numbers don't suggest a player that is very efficient, but he's 44% catch and shoot from 3 and is extremely good at getting to the line. Essentially he's the perfect 6th man and the Jazz need someone like him for when Hayward is on the bench. I'm also a huge Rodney Hood fan. In his limited time (due to injuries) he had one of the highest PPP running the pick and roll. He also can and should develop into more of a consistent three point threat which makes him a sensible starting option at the two guard. The Jazz have three ball handlers on the wings and that's important to mitigate the pressure on Exum. The Jazz do need to add a shooter somewhere though, which is why Danny Green or Holliday would make a lot of sense.

Our front court is one of the best in the NBA. Even with the spacing issues, the Jazz still had an average offensive efficiency post the Kanter trade. If and when we make the playoffs that may become an issue, but for now I think the plan is to embrace the defensive identity. The Jazz should be a heavy favorite to be the best defensive team in the league this year, alongside Golden State.

My homer pick: I think the Jazz and Wolves have the best young cores in the league.

I'll need 2 first round picks for Waiters.

From the limited time I saw him play I'm also a big fan of Hood. A guy that can shoot and still create for others is worth a lot in league nowadays. I still think the Jazz should fully embrace Gobert as the most dominant defensive big and using that advantage to going stretch everywhere else. Almost a Dwight Howard in Orlando scenario. They could get a lot for Favors I think and should explore that option. Lyeles was playing out of position all season at Kentucky and should prove to be a solid backup option at the 4 in lineups that you won't have Gobert on the floor.

[gilesfan]

Jazz and Minny (probably the best) certainly have top young talent. Not sure the Jazz have better young talent than the Wiz (Wall/Beal/Porter/Oubre)

[thethe]

Jazz and Minny (probably the best) certainly have top young talent. Not sure the Jazz have better young talent than the Wiz (Wall/Beal/Porter/Oubre)

What is Oubre at this point? Guy is a big time project with high upside.

Minnesota has crazy young talent. I only watched the tourney but I think at worst Jones is going to be a really good backup PG.

[chop2chip]

I'll need 2 first round picks for Waiters.

From the limited time I saw him play I'm also a big fan of Hood. A guy that can shoot and still create for others is worth a lot in league nowadays. I still think the Jazz should fully embrace Gobert as the most dominant defensive big and using that advantage to going stretch everywhere else. Almost a Dwight Howard in Orlando scenario. They could get a lot for Favors I think and should explore that option. Lyeles was playing out of position all season at Kentucky and should prove to be a solid backup option at the 4 in lineups that you won't have Gobert on the floor.

The important thing with any lineup is out scoring your opponent, not spacing. The best lineups the Jazz had last year all included Favors and Gobert together. I don't think you risk blowing that up unless you get a premier floor spacer like Kevin Love (which isn't happening).

The day may come where the Jazz decide to trade Favors, but I don't think that will happen before this next season.

[chop2chip]

Jazz and Minny (probably the best) certainly have top young talent. Not sure the Jazz have better young talent than the Wiz (Wall/Beal/Porter/Oubre)

I like Wall the most in the Utah/Washington mix. So from that standpoint I won't say you are wrong.

I just think the Jazz have deeper core. Hayward/Favors/Gobert/Exum/Burks/Hood. The Jazz aren't only deep, but they have someone young for every single role.

[chop2chip]

What is Oubre at this point? Guy is a big time project with high upside.

Minnesota has crazy young talent. I only watched the tourney but I think at worst Jones is going to be a really good backup PG.

Rubio/Pekovic/Wiggins/Towns/Dieng/Shabaz/Lavine

That's terrifying.

There are only two teams in the Western Conference that I don't see having a chance to be good in the next 5 years - Denver and Sacramento. We need to get rid of conferences.

[thethe]

Rubio/Pekovic/Wiggins/Towns/Dieng/Shabaz/Lavine

That's terrifying.

There are only two teams in the Western Conference that I don't see having a chance to be good in the next 5 years - Denver and Sacramento. We need to get rid of conferences.

I think thats coming real soon.

[gilesfan]

What is Oubre at this point? Guy is a big time project with high upside.

Minnesota has crazy young talent. I only watched the tourney but I think at worst Jones is going to be a really good backup PG.

That's exactly what Oubre is.

[gilesfan]

I like Wall the most in the Utah/Washington mix. So from that standpoint I won't say you are wrong.

I just think the Jazz have deeper core. Hayward/Favors/Gobert/Exum/Burks/Hood. The Jazz aren't only deep, but they have someone young for every single role.

Wall certainly the best player of the group. Beal would be pretty close to 2nd or 3rd of the group. Porter better than Exum/Burks/Hood at this point.

I do like the Jazz core young players though. They've done fantastic.

[thethe]

That's exactly what Oubre is.

Not sure I would include him in a discussion about having the best core of young talent though. Thats like me saying the Thunder have great young talent and including Payne. We don't know if these guys rae going to be any good.

[chop2chip]

Wall certainly the best player of the group. Beal would be pretty close to 2nd or 3rd of the group. Porter better than Exum/Burks/Hood at this point.

I do like the Jazz core young players though. They've done fantastic.

I think you could make an argument for Gobert, Hayward and Favors over Beal.

And I would take Exum's upside over Porter's. The first time we saw anything out of Porter was during the Playoffs. I don't think that's his fault, but if we are going to make these judgements off of 7 game sample sizes then I'll take Hood's post all star game numbers over anything Porter has done.

[thethe]

I think you could make an argument for Gobert, Hayward and Favors over Beal.

And I would take Exum's upside over Porter's. The first time we saw anything out of Porter was during the Playoffs. I don't think that's his fault, but if we are going to make these judgements off of 7 game sample sizes then I'll take Hood's post all star game numbers over anything Porter has done.

Yeah, I don't get putting Porter over any of those guys either, especially Burks who is almost a proven commodity.

And like you mentioned...Exum is probably the second best defensive PG in the league behind John Wall.

[gilesfan]

I think you could make an argument for Gobert, Hayward and Favors over Beal.

And I would take Exum's upside over Porter's. The first time we saw anything out of Porter was during the Playoffs. I don't think that's his fault, but if we are going to make these judgements off of 7 game sample sizes then I'll take Hood's post all star game numbers over anything Porter has done.

Im sure Payne will be a future all star by November.

[NinersSBChamps]

Rubio/Pekovic/Wiggins/Towns/Dieng/Shabaz/Lavine

That's terrifying.

There are only two teams in the Western Conference that I don't see having a chance to be good in the next 5 years - Denver and Sacramento. We need to get rid of conferences.

You forgot Payne.

[thethe]

Im sure Payne will be a future all star by November.

I'll at least wait till I see him play against pros to include him in the young core. I learned my lesson from just reading scouting reports in the past.

My track record in basketball is pretty damn good so I wouldn't mock me too much.

[chop2chip]

You forgot Payne.

I like him too. Good two way player potentially.

[thethe]

I like him too. Good two way player potentially.

I think on Minny is his best spot as well because he has a PG that can make his job easy and really showcase his athleticism.

Minny should just run teams out of the gym every game. If Rubio finds a way to stay healthy I think they could be a dark horse for the playoffs.

Wiggins could make a jump and become a top 10 player as soon as next season. He was that impressive his rookie year.

[gilesfan]

I think you could make an argument for Gobert, Hayward and Favors over Beal.

And I would take Exum's upside over Porter's. The first time we saw anything out of Porter was during the Playoffs. I don't think that's his fault, but if we are going to make these judgements off of 7 game sample sizes then I'll take Hood's post all star game numbers over anything Porter has done.

Exxum certainly has higher upside, he was just so terrible last year.

I think people underestimate Porter because of his hip injury that set him back months and Wittmans unwillingness to let him grow (until the playoffs) Either way, the Wiz being close or better than the Jazz is more about Wall/Beal

[chop2chip]

I think on Minny is his best spot as well because he has a PG that can make his job easy and really showcase his athleticism.

Minny should just run teams out of the gym every game. If Rubio finds a way to stay healthy I think they could be a dark horse for the playoffs.

Wiggins could make a jump and become a top 10 player as soon as next season. He was that impressive his rookie year.

Players don't make that big of jump in the NBA. I honestly can't think of one. It's usually gradual improvement. Minnesota will be improved but I think they have a couple years of development ahead of them.