<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A look into the future for the Jazz's 15 players from the 2004-05 NBA season: Player Next season's status The future G Raja Bell unrestricted free agent Jazz want him to return PF Carlos Boozer Under contract Larry Miller says he should stay long-term C Curtis Borchardt Under contract Health history a big concern C Jarron Collins Under contract No flash, but Jazz like his dependability PG Howard Eisley Unrestricted free agent Second run in Utah could be done SG Gordan Giricek Under contract Long-term contract could easily be moved</div> <div align="center">Link </div>
Assuming they let go of Eisley, Livingston, maybe Handgloten, and possibly cut/buyout Borchard or stash him on the IL, and try to negotiate a buyout or trade with Lopez, they'll end up almost no roster flexiblity as they still have 2 first round picks and 3 2nd round picks. They could go for players that agree to stay in Europe, if they wanted to preserve their full flexibility. The article insinuated that the Jazz will probably keep their front line as well as their younger players, which makes the most sense. That pretty much leaves Harp and Giricek the odd men out? Or will they trade their draft picks instead? Obviously, as everyone and their mother has pointed out, a solid PG would help the most. This isn't a draft thread, so let's look at the other options. Who could the Jazz trade for or sign? <u>Free agents</u> Marko Jaric: probably the best PG available via free agency. Is he worth the MLE? He's injury prone but proved that he can handle the PG position. Even with Livingston in the wings, the Clippers probably want to keep Marko for a few more years if they can do so without too much cost. Earl Watson: this guy is definitely underrated. Great passer and defense, pretty good basketball IQ, but otherwise average. I'm sure he wants a shot at a starting position and if the Jazz come on strong he'd be a good fit. Extending his minutes to 35-40 minutes, he could average 8 assists a game. The only problem is the certainty with which he can handle big minutes - although he's filled in well when Jason Williams was injured and plays about a lot in the Grizzlies rotation, he might get worn playing a ton of minutes every night. Antonio Daniels: proved he could play the PG position after a few seasons in the league, with a stellar A/T ratio and good defense. A bit on the older side now, though. Damon Stoudamire: a shoot-first, 5'10" PG who's turning 32? He can hit a 3, but I'm not sure if he's the right fit for the Jazz. Dan Dickau: had a good year after pining away on the bench, solid but unspectacular. Still untested; can he handle running a team? Other FA PG's: Gary Payton, Jeff McInnis, Tyronn Lue, Darrell Armstrong, <u>Trades</u> I'm not sure how many PG's are worth trading for. Toronto is probably looking to move Rafer Alston, but he's a headcase. Minnesota wants to part with Sam Cassell, but his showed his age this season. Golden State is probably looking for a way to move Derek Fisher, but he's still more of a backup/shooting guard than a true point. Other PG's are less available and probably will take more than Giricek or Harp to pry away.
Nice post Zhone . The odd man out in Utah's plans is Gordan Giricek. Matt Harpring's trade value is high, as he has shown what he can do over the past month or so with injuries to Kirilenko and Boozer. However, Matt Harpring and Raja Bell are the leaders of the Jazz, and the young Jazz team lose a lot of direction without them. Bell is a FA, and Utah would like to keep both of them. Gordan Giricek's contract is reasonable, and he wouldn't be too hard to trade. The Jazz have 5 picks in this draft, and they could package him with pick(s) for a better draft pick or a veteran PG who can come in and run the offense. Sam Cassell has an expiring contract, and is a veteran PG. He's not the player he used to be, and his best days are behind him. He isn't getting any younger either, he's 35 going on 36. Troy Hudson is younger than Cassell, he makes less next season, and has more years left on his contract. If the T-Wolves are looking to rebuild then Sam Cassell could be used as trade bait. Utah could offer Gordan Giricek and the 27th pick for Sam Cassell. Gordan Giricek will make $4 Million next season, Cassell will make slightly over $6 Million. Giricek is about 8 years younger than Cassell. Latrell Sprewell will be asking a lot in the offseason, and if the Wolves let him go Giricek could end up matching the 12.8 PPG Sprewell was averaging this season. If that trade happened, Utah should look something like this next season. PG: Sam Cassell / Deron Williams / Keith McLeod SG: Raja Bell / Kirk Synder SF: Andrei Kirilenko / Matt Harpring PF: Carlos Boozer / Kris Humphries C: Mehmet Okur / Jarron Collins / Curtis Borchardt IL: Raul Lopez, two second round picks Utah add Deron Williams through the draft. If Jerry Sloan returns, and that team stays healthy, they should be aiming for the playoffs. The playoffs is what Utah want, not another lottery season.
I agree that it would be great if the Jazz could keep most of the team intact, especially Harp. But, as you noted, his value is really high. He has a very reasonable contract which is expiring, brings a lot of leadership and worked hard. Sometimes you have to make the unpopular trade to bring in bigger talent. The Cassell-Giricek trade above makes sense for both teams unless Minnesota gets some crazy offer. As a bonus for Utah, Cassell's contract is expiring, so it's not a big risk, and gives Cassell a personal incentive to get a new contract. Utah could throw in either Curtis Borchardt or Lopez, both expiring contracts, to even up the salaries at $6 million each, as well as that 27th pick. I was thinking that Utah might offer Giricek for Brent Barry. Barry is getting older, but would be a nice veteran backup guard who offers better passing skills. I'm pretty sure a straight-up trade would work, if San Antonio was considering moving him. Barry was horrible to start the season but has been playing well as of late, just in time for the playoffs. But, Barry does have 3 more years and about $4 million more than Giricek on his contract, so it would be a business decision on San Antonio's part to save money.
Brent Barry would be a nice addition for the Jazz. Utah were 28th in the league at 3 point % this season, and anyone who can knock down a 3 will help them out considerably. Giricek's role has diminished since he arrived in Utah, and it makes sense to trade him. Brent Barry should get more minutes than Giricek if he was on the Jazz, and Barry can play some Point Guard. Moving Giricek would also give Kirk Snyder and Raja Bell more minutes. Barry's and Giricek's contracts are similar, and so are the numbers. Giricek is younger, but Utah are looking to add veterans in the offseason.
