Apparently the Nets originally called the Jazz about acquiring Andrei Kirilenko and this led to various scenarios that eventually cut out Andrei all together and landed NJ their franchise pillar. Funny how things work out sometimes.
Here's my take (from another thread) on what happened, based on what i have read: The more I read, the more I think O'connor (Jazz GM) really played this well. Knicks' Walsh is kind of grousing now that he didn't even know Williams was available. Of course he didn't; I think O'Connor had already decided he wanted to trade Williams but he knew that the Nets had the better assets to trade. He wanted to make sure the Knicks stayed interested in Anthony so they would offer a good package and get him. Then after that went down , he was patient and waited until NJ brought up Williams idea and said he would "think about it", thereby making it look like they were not anxious to trade him. And they ended getting what they wanted.
Probably just building up assets, since that was the best offer they could get from NJ. They'll see what they have and then balance out the roster through trades, is my best guess.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Jefferson gone after the season, with Millsap and Favors starting in the front court.
I would still love to try and pry away Millsap. Probably they wouldn't trade with Portland, but as I've noted elsewhere...it's really only the hardcore Jazz fans (the sort who would post on the Internet about their team) who would know/care about the "toxic offers" and hardcore fans make up a minority of pretty much every fanbase. So it's possible Utah could trade with Portland and "get away with it." But probably a long-shot. Millsap would make a nice front court partner with Aldridge going forward.
Good problem to have. Those guys are all movable though so they're not saddled too badly by those three. I think it'll do a young big like Favors good to learn from some good vet bigs.
I'm not sure Walsh is the one grousing, it seems that it was Dolan had Thomas in his ear and had tunnel vision towards Melo and completely disregarded any other scenario.
i agree with this the past two times ive been in utah and wearing a blazer hat or something blazer related or even say im from portland ive had people say fuck you and your fucking GM for TOXIC offers.... pretty funny if you ask me haha
But not for the toxic contracts. I'd be surprised if more than, like, 10% of Utah fans are even aware of those. I think Utah and Portland could trade. But maybe I'm underestimating how much of Utah's fanbase is hardcore.
I gotta believe that in Salt Lake City, another one-team town, they know full well about what went down.
As soon as Utah grabbed the main guy Cho was after, Devin Harris, I thought, they've been looking for a way to get revenge against Portland, and this is it. I'm surprised that angle hasn't been played up in the Portland or Utah media or boards.
It hasn't been played up because you don't trade superstars to get back at other teams. It doesn't make sense.
You trade a good player who caused your superstar coach to quit. You trade him to the perennial worst team in the league, to get back at him. You obtain the player who is the current obsession of your enemy team, the team which contributed to your superstar coach's demoralization by causing the departure of Matthews and Boozer. ...maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it was a coincidence that, without warning to the rest of the league, without checking out what offers might be made to them, they dumped their star guard for the player sought by their enemy team.
