A radio host in SLC touched on a theory that many of you probably considered yourself yesterday. Why did the jazz leak the desire to match the Millsap offer two days early? Do they need Portland on board for a three way as soon as possible? Do they want this three way done before Portland starts to consider Odom, who is a notorius Jazz killer? These thoughts crossed my mind last night and when i heard it being discussed on the radio this morning i thought i would throw it out to you guys.
I think all of this is a connected chain of events, and yes, the Jazz probably need Portland's help in unloading Boozer. We're one of only two or three teams that have enough cap space to help make it happen. The only question is, do we get Boozer ourselves, or do we help the Jazz trade him to somone else, who will then provide us with one of their players?
All the Jazz said is that they are matching. The entire league knew that they were going to match, and all Utah has done so far is say they are right. THEY HAVE NOT MATCHED so far. They will wait until the last minute to do so. Telling people a day or so in advance that you are going to do what everyone already knows you are going to do means nothing. That being said, I think Utah and Portland would be really good trade partners in some sort of 3 way deal. Both would benefit from each other greatly IMO.
It just semed odd that they asked for a one day extension, and apparently were told they could have it. (Which kind of pisses me off unless the Blazers agreed to it) And then to turn around and leak it out that they were going to match. They were pissed at the Blazers and then all of a sudden made it easier on them so they could focus on the next step.
The Jazz sent out an email to their fans about the Millsap signing and specifically quoted the "toxic" nature of our offer. They won't help us anytime soon, especially with Chris Wallace always ready to be the bitch in any trade.
Slightly OT, but still in relation to the Jazz shedding salary, I know PHX is pretty cheap, but wouldn't a Korver-Pavlovic swap work well for both sides? PHX gains a really good shooter for their squad, who could be dangerous alongside Nash, Utah gains a partially guaranteed deal counting only 1.75 on the cap if waived. So they save over 3.5 million dollars, making it easier to trade Boozer for parts in return, and get close to under the tax. As for a 3 way with Utah, I'm not holding my breath. I don't havea good reason why they would match early, or announce they are matching early. Maybe to try to show Millsap it was an easy decision, and try to patch up relationship with him?
They would be helping themselves. They have 3 potential helpers. They may hate us, but if they need us, they will do what they have to do.
I can see this happening. Especially with the rumored Chicago deal since they recently released TT and signed Pargo and Hunter.
I am not a Boozer fan at all, but this would be the steal of the decade. Can you even imagine Travis playing for Sloan? I would bet that TO wouldn't even get off the bench for Sloan. He is just too old school to play a guy who tries so little at most facets of the game. Frankly, I want to see it happen just to hear Sloan bad mount TO to the press in SLC.
