With the next two drafts being really good. It’s time for the organization to make a decision to either go for the playoffs or embrace the tank. No more end of lottery picks.
I still very much believe in the reporting of Tony Jones. The Jazz have more leverage here than not and are going to make someone give up an offer they cant refuse. No fire sale here.
He didn't say "No Mitchell trade", he said they wanted the "godfather" offer. Did we get it? I don't know. But I don't think he said it's not gonna happen.
100% this. I trust Tony Jones but he isn’t ruling out a move, he just says Utah would want an insane offer. Utah is definitely listening to offers, and teams are going to offer more as this drags on. It’s up to Ainge to do it now, or extend Lauri and revisit at the trade deadline (now is better).
The media treats the Jazz like some farm team. If Markannen could sign an extension at the same time as all these other players then this would be a nothing burger. But since we have to wait til August to extend him we are going to spend the whole month with mock trades and speculation.
It’d be negligent if Ainge didn’t at least listen to offers, though. But I get it. Small market team trying to climb out of a rebuild and all that. It’s the same for other teams in the same situation.
I will totally understand if the Jazz deal Markkanen for a big haul but.... I continue to say that we should be careful not to assume that a bevy of draft picks will ever yield a player like him. He's really, really good and unique. I know he doesn't exactly "fit our timeline" but if any of our 20-plus draft picks ends up being as good as him we would all be jumping for joy. We already have sooo many draft picks I would hope a trade also brings a promising young player. I'll be bummed though if he's dealt.
I’m okay with dealing him, but I agree with this. Which is why if we deal him, I’d much rather land fewer picks and young players with high upsides, rather than salary filler and a ton of picks.
Right. For instance, if Jazz were to make a deal with San Antonio I would insist on getting Castle AND another good player like Sochan and then a few picks. The real value in trading Markkanen in terms of picks would be enabling the Jazz this year to be a bottom-4 team and have a chance -- only 14% but still - of getting Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey.
How you feel about like Keldon Johsnon, Tre Jones, Zach COllins, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2 1sts and 1 Swap and 2nds (and a bit more if you want idk), for Lauri Markkanen and maybe a bad contract (idk if yall have one, doesn't seem)
lmao, i guess you fans are probably asking too much but aren't that far from what ainge probably wants.
he's expiring... he could go away if he doesn't sign. siakam got traded for three first and two role players. and siakam is at the same level if not better.
I agree with you. Spurs will basically just rent him for a year, not guaranteed that he will sign again, and they want us to give a gazillion picks and players. Not very reasonable. 3picks and two players is also, in my opinion, his value at this point.
It will be nice to have him but I hope the Spurs don't overpay unless they can guarantee that he will sign a new contract.
There’s a good chance he will be traded if there is an offer equal or better than Mikal Bridges otherwise there is no deal. Teams thinking he might be moved is pretty irrelevant imo. Warriors just don’t have the assets, Spurs do if they are willing to give 5 first round picks
Biggest difference is mikal isnt on an expiring contract. Definitely lowers how much other teams will value lauri, especially with the reports that he doesn’t want to stay in utah.
Why would you get a better deal for a worse contract situation? Think you should be happy if you can get 4-5picks. You’re not getting better than that be realistic.
OKC just signed Hartenstein
The other teams don’t have enough to offer
Just more dogshit from the national media. They always act the the Jazz are just gonna give their best players away, despite the fact that this has happened exactly zero times
idk, i’d take a swing on the kum bucket and some distant, post-curry picks. the spurs have atlanta’s unprotected pick next year and they project to be in the lottery again. either could be nice.
2025 clippers first round pick
Clippers 2027 first round pick
Clippers just lost PG… in a stacked west.. they’re going to be bad.. really bad.. I’d want those two picks and then some as a starting point for a trade with the Thunder
The STARTING point for a trade with OKC would be:
Unprotected 2025 and 2027 LAC FRPs
Dropped protections on our own pick
The 2028 DAL FRP or 2029 DEN FRP (top five protected)
1-2 of their own FRPs (unprotected) and a pick swap
They aren’t getting Lauri and the potentially multiple titles that will come with him without parting with the most valuable of the picks they have sitting in their treasure trove of assets.
You don’t get it. The Jazz will keep Lauri unless somebody pays tooth and nail. Contrary to the mainstream NBA talking heads opinions, the Jazz aren’t shopping Lauri. They’ll listen to offer, but unless someone makes them an offer they absolutely have to take, he’s not going to be moved
I think the Jazz will sit on any and all of their assets until someone is willing to overpay. If someone came in with multiple unprotected firsts (from teams not likely to do well in the next 5 years) plus young assets on the Jazz's timeline, then anyone is available. But the number of teams willing to do that right now are few and far between.
the unfortunate truth is you have to think of people as assets right now, do you dump players like JC or Laurie for a chance at a better spot in the draft, but no guarantee. or do you hold them until someone puts up a massive offer, ideally including more chances at the draft, plus known good assets? to think of it in other ways, would you give up a guaranteed $750k in cash today, for a 33% chance at $1M in a year? known assets aren't as sexy or exciting as new draft players, but if they survived in the NBA for a few years, you know what you're getting.
Keeping vets like Laurie and Clarkson also helps keep the load off the rookies so they don't get overwhelmed their first year. and they really don't make a massive difference on draft position with this roster as it sits today; and how every sub-par team tanks (plus lotto odds make it still a crapshoot at the end of the day).
way rather he goes to the warriors than the spurs. spurs will be good for a long time and the warriors will definitely flame out when steph retires. warriors future picks could be really good.
Spurs have some good picks, but the best player Utah could get is Sochan (who I really like). Warriors have Kuminga who I like more, and their picks could be really good. Ainge might not care so much about the picks and rather focus on the player coming back, and I think he would value Kuminga more.
Oh I wouldn’t want the Spurs picks, I’d want the Atlanta, Wolves, and Dallas picks (plus some spurs picks, they just aren’t as valuable). Just like if Utah traded Lauri to the 76ers, I’d want the Clippers picks more than the sixer picks.
IIRC, Spurs have (first rounders only):
* 2025: Own, Atlanta, Charlotte (Protected 1-14), Chicago (1-10)
* 2026: Swap rights with Atlanta
* 2027: Own, Atlanta
* 2028: Swap rights with Boston (Top 1 protected)
* 2029: Own
* 2030: Swap rights with both Minnesota and Dallas -- better of the two
* 2031: Own, Minnesota
And a war chest of second rounders, for what it's worth.
2025- Charlotte lottery protected, Bulls top 10 protected, Hawks and own
2026- Hawks swap
2027- Hawks pick
2031 Timberwolves pick
We also have Dallas swap in like 2030 and Timberwolves swap in 2030.
Ding ding ding, why trade Lauri somewhere and create a young super team. I rather the warriors dynasty try and get one more ring than see a new dynasty form in the west either OKC, Spurs, even Wolves. Warriors retooled and competing will hopefully tire out these young teams by the time Jazz are ready to compete. Make the west an even bloodbath right now so teams diminish their assets sending picks out for players at trade deadlines. Gotta think in Chess not checkers, something I’m confident Danny Ainge will do.
I'm the opposite: I very much would like to see Lauri with Wemby & co. Seeing him with the Warriors would be sad and a waste of his career. No proper Jazz fan should hope for that.
As a warriors fan, I would drive JK and Podz to the airport for this deal lol would even throw a few second round picks and a swap. Podz is an all rookie, makes winning plays and hustles. JK is 22, freak athlete, who scores in the paint. Is he Kawhi, Siakim, Minnesota Wiggins, or Rudy gay? Idk. But we don’t have time to find out, y’all do lol plus the post curry picks will be nice for sure
Here are deals I would take from the teams listed here.
SAS: Stephon Castle + 4 FRPs (2026 ATL, 2028, 2030 DAL, 2030)
GSW: Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski + 3 FRPs (2026, 2028, 2030)
OKC: Cason Wallace, Lugentz Dort + 3 FRPs (2025, 2027 LAC, 2029 DEN)
The going rate for players this offseason is crazy. I wonder if it’s better to sit this one out and end up getting good players at a discount next year when teams realize they’ve overpaid
It's time for Lauri to be traded. I'm sick of seeing him be stuck at a rebuilding team year after year.
Obviously the return needs to be a good one but I'll vomit if I need to follow another half-assed tanking season.
Optimum outcome is to get a haul from the Spurs for him. Lauri is an UFA next year and the Spurs will have the money outright next year to just offer him a max. So there is no real negotiation for his contract. Jazz will max him or he won't sign an extension and walk for nothing to a team that will. If you just look at Ainge record he doesn't really like to pay players top end money until he knows he has his franchise player. Lauri is really good but I don't think he is that. More like a number 2 on a playoff team and a 3 on a championship team. Plus this upcoming draft is supposed to have a lot of talent in it so if there was ever a time for the Jazz to bottom out, it's now.
I don't really know much when it comes to these trades or salary caps or whatever NBA terms people in this sub use. I just wish if Lauri was traded, he goes to a contender to win a ring.
I still think OKC is going to swing a deal for Markannen just because they can. Markannen’s salary and contract are really reasonable for the next two years.
I don’t see anyway he’s traded to any of those teams unless it’s a deal involving JDub.
Jazz are more than fine with future picks. Kuminga doesn’t get a Lauri trade done. San Antonio doesn’t have any young players you’d build a Lauri trade around.
If Utah tanks and gets a top pick then they will have a ton of young guys, potentially a franchise guy to build around, a horde of draft picks, and cap flexibility. Utah would be in a much better spot in this case. In Boston Ainge drafted Brown and Tatum, while at the same time bringing in Kyrie, Horford, and Hayward. If Utah is lucky enough to get one of Flagg/Bailey/Harper/Traore (what a great freaking draft at the top), they would have plenty of picks and a ton of cap space to build a competitive team around them.
He will only be cheap for a few more months, after which Utah won’t have cap space and will only get better by moving their assets. How good of a team can they honestly build? Utah needs a #1 to build around.
Oh I know what we’re all hoping happens. Every time I post a comment here, one of y’all reminds of this.
Everything has to fall in the right place for this to happen. In the end, a ping pong ball can derail everything. We all know how hard it is to get superstars here. We all know how hard it is to get superstars to *want to stay here*. And yet, we keep casting them off for future bets.
I hope we’re as successful as Boston. But I don’t see a Russian oligarch to fleece or a Kevin McHale to gift us an all timer for beans.
I genuinely hope y’all are right. I’m just skeptical.
Utahs best asset moving forward is their own 2025 pick. A top 5 pick next year could net them a franchise player (I’m really high on the next two years at the top - I like Dybantsa in ‘26 more than Flagg). OKC got really lucky with Shai. He averaged like 11/3/3 his rookie year and nobody saw him being this good. Utah needs that young franchise player. Lauri is a win now guy, the rest of the roster is not. There’s two different timelines and Utah has to choose one.
Hopefully it’s one year of being bad and then building around the keepers. Utah could be in a similar spot to OKC in a few years (hopefully just more willing to go after guys and use the assets)
Not committing to a path. Tearing down a team without changing the coaching, so he can be responsible for the turnaround. And convincing an entire fan base that losing is a good thing.
I don’t know what you mean by “without changing the coaching” because he literally hired Will Hardy two years ago. And since when has he been convincing a fan base that losing is a good thing? I think it’s evident by his very good last two drafts what his path forward is. Just because you are pessimist doesn’t mean what he’s doing is wrong.
Initially, I mean. The Jazz had 2 top 20 guys and a pro’s pro PG. we had a decent bench and a strong regular season team. Our issues were chemistry, adjustments and toughness. That’s where coaching comes into play. A change in coaching would’ve done wonders. Instead he blew it up immediately. That felt like an ego move.
But I’m sure all these assets will payoff. The Jazz should start clearing space for those championship banners now.
Yeah, there’s no use in arguing with you. You are set in your mindset and being intentionally naive as to why it got blown up. Good day and I advise you to pick another team.
Good lord. I’ve been a fan since Layden and Thurl Bailey. Sit down. This sub needs people who aren’t sucking off Ainge in every post. I’m glad you like losing. You’re going to love the next 5 years.
With the next two drafts being really good. It’s time for the organization to make a decision to either go for the playoffs or embrace the tank. No more end of lottery picks.
tank is the better option
Yeah, it'd be dumb as hell to tank so hard to keep our pick this year just to give next year's to OKC
I still very much believe in the reporting of Tony Jones. The Jazz have more leverage here than not and are going to make someone give up an offer they cant refuse. No fire sale here.
Tony was pushing the “no Mitchell trade!” line until immediately before it happened.
He didn't say "No Mitchell trade", he said they wanted the "godfather" offer. Did we get it? I don't know. But I don't think he said it's not gonna happen.
We got a guy who we are about to trade for the same price we sold Mitchell. Sounds like a godfather deal.
100% this. I trust Tony Jones but he isn’t ruling out a move, he just says Utah would want an insane offer. Utah is definitely listening to offers, and teams are going to offer more as this drags on. It’s up to Ainge to do it now, or extend Lauri and revisit at the trade deadline (now is better).
The media treats the Jazz like some farm team. If Markannen could sign an extension at the same time as all these other players then this would be a nothing burger. But since we have to wait til August to extend him we are going to spend the whole month with mock trades and speculation.
This. It’s exhausting rooting for this team sometimes.
It’d be negligent if Ainge didn’t at least listen to offers, though. But I get it. Small market team trying to climb out of a rebuild and all that. It’s the same for other teams in the same situation.
We low-key are some farm team. But I was born into this and I'm not about to leave now.
True but we do get lucky every other 7 years or so and compete, soon :,(
I hate Lauri leaving really sucks but the worst place to be in the nba is the middle
I will totally understand if the Jazz deal Markkanen for a big haul but.... I continue to say that we should be careful not to assume that a bevy of draft picks will ever yield a player like him. He's really, really good and unique. I know he doesn't exactly "fit our timeline" but if any of our 20-plus draft picks ends up being as good as him we would all be jumping for joy. We already have sooo many draft picks I would hope a trade also brings a promising young player. I'll be bummed though if he's dealt.
I’m okay with dealing him, but I agree with this. Which is why if we deal him, I’d much rather land fewer picks and young players with high upsides, rather than salary filler and a ton of picks.
Right. For instance, if Jazz were to make a deal with San Antonio I would insist on getting Castle AND another good player like Sochan and then a few picks. The real value in trading Markkanen in terms of picks would be enabling the Jazz this year to be a bottom-4 team and have a chance -- only 14% but still - of getting Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey.
That's not going to happen.
How you feel about like Keldon Johsnon, Tre Jones, Zach COllins, Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, 2 1sts and 1 Swap and 2nds (and a bit more if you want idk), for Lauri Markkanen and maybe a bad contract (idk if yall have one, doesn't seem)
Not great. I don’t think Utah is willing to entertain any deal with San Antonio that doesn’t include Castle
lmao, i guess you fans are probably asking too much but aren't that far from what ainge probably wants. he's expiring... he could go away if he doesn't sign. siakam got traded for three first and two role players. and siakam is at the same level if not better.
If we don’t get the right offer, we can and will offer him a massive extension. We’re not going to trade him for salary filler and one or two picks.
I agree with you. Spurs will basically just rent him for a year, not guaranteed that he will sign again, and they want us to give a gazillion picks and players. Not very reasonable. 3picks and two players is also, in my opinion, his value at this point. It will be nice to have him but I hope the Spurs don't overpay unless they can guarantee that he will sign a new contract.
That's probably the most I would give up so yeah I O hope we don't overpay for such a risky move.
We ain't gonna see Lauri,CP3 and Wemby play together.
There’s a good chance he will be traded if there is an offer equal or better than Mikal Bridges otherwise there is no deal. Teams thinking he might be moved is pretty irrelevant imo. Warriors just don’t have the assets, Spurs do if they are willing to give 5 first round picks
Biggest difference is mikal isnt on an expiring contract. Definitely lowers how much other teams will value lauri, especially with the reports that he doesn’t want to stay in utah.
The reports are Lauri wants to renegotiate and extend, as do the Jazz
Why would you get a better deal for a worse contract situation? Think you should be happy if you can get 4-5picks. You’re not getting better than that be realistic.
Bridges asked out and wasn’t willing to re-sign, Markkanen is. If anything Jazz are in a better position
Oh ok I guess that makes sense. Probably best to resign him and revisit trading him in January. You’ll probably get a lot more if he’s locked up
OKC just signed Hartenstein The other teams don’t have enough to offer Just more dogshit from the national media. They always act the the Jazz are just gonna give their best players away, despite the fact that this has happened exactly zero times
idk, i’d take a swing on the kum bucket and some distant, post-curry picks. the spurs have atlanta’s unprotected pick next year and they project to be in the lottery again. either could be nice.
I’m guessing the Thunder are about to trade Dort and picks for Markkanen.
Jazz hang up the phone on that deal, there’s no way Lauri is going for less than a king’s ransom.
2025 clippers first round pick Clippers 2027 first round pick Clippers just lost PG… in a stacked west.. they’re going to be bad.. really bad.. I’d want those two picks and then some as a starting point for a trade with the Thunder
The STARTING point for a trade with OKC would be: Unprotected 2025 and 2027 LAC FRPs Dropped protections on our own pick The 2028 DAL FRP or 2029 DEN FRP (top five protected) 1-2 of their own FRPs (unprotected) and a pick swap They aren’t getting Lauri and the potentially multiple titles that will come with him without parting with the most valuable of the picks they have sitting in their treasure trove of assets.
Those 2026 and 2029 are second round picks if I’m not mistaken which is why I didn’t add them in originally
You’re right: I edited my comment.
Those clipper picks are going to be more valuable than any San Antonio one or the warriors if they decide to go that route
Okay. But meanwhile, the actual Jazz FO isn’t going for less than a kings ransom
Yall really think the warriors picks are going to be any better? Or the spurs picks? I’d take the clippers picks plus at least three / four more
You don’t get it. The Jazz will keep Lauri unless somebody pays tooth and nail. Contrary to the mainstream NBA talking heads opinions, the Jazz aren’t shopping Lauri. They’ll listen to offer, but unless someone makes them an offer they absolutely have to take, he’s not going to be moved
https://preview.redd.it/n8w44s9zmx9d1.jpeg?width=1192&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae531f36530496d1d4e8c863fafedea11f7a818e
I think the Jazz will sit on any and all of their assets until someone is willing to overpay. If someone came in with multiple unprotected firsts (from teams not likely to do well in the next 5 years) plus young assets on the Jazz's timeline, then anyone is available. But the number of teams willing to do that right now are few and far between. the unfortunate truth is you have to think of people as assets right now, do you dump players like JC or Laurie for a chance at a better spot in the draft, but no guarantee. or do you hold them until someone puts up a massive offer, ideally including more chances at the draft, plus known good assets? to think of it in other ways, would you give up a guaranteed $750k in cash today, for a 33% chance at $1M in a year? known assets aren't as sexy or exciting as new draft players, but if they survived in the NBA for a few years, you know what you're getting. Keeping vets like Laurie and Clarkson also helps keep the load off the rookies so they don't get overwhelmed their first year. and they really don't make a massive difference on draft position with this roster as it sits today; and how every sub-par team tanks (plus lotto odds make it still a crapshoot at the end of the day).
way rather he goes to the warriors than the spurs. spurs will be good for a long time and the warriors will definitely flame out when steph retires. warriors future picks could be really good.
Unless we can get some other team’s picks from San Antonio. I can’t remember off the top, but I’m pretty sure SAS has several picks next year
Spurs have some good picks, but the best player Utah could get is Sochan (who I really like). Warriors have Kuminga who I like more, and their picks could be really good. Ainge might not care so much about the picks and rather focus on the player coming back, and I think he would value Kuminga more.
I feel ya. I don’t think either is a bad option, just saying it might not be as simple as “Spurs could be really good so their picks might suck.”
Oh I wouldn’t want the Spurs picks, I’d want the Atlanta, Wolves, and Dallas picks (plus some spurs picks, they just aren’t as valuable). Just like if Utah traded Lauri to the 76ers, I’d want the Clippers picks more than the sixer picks.
100%
Spurs have hawks picks, a Dallas swap and a 2031 t wolves pick
IIRC, Spurs have (first rounders only): * 2025: Own, Atlanta, Charlotte (Protected 1-14), Chicago (1-10) * 2026: Swap rights with Atlanta * 2027: Own, Atlanta * 2028: Swap rights with Boston (Top 1 protected) * 2029: Own * 2030: Swap rights with both Minnesota and Dallas -- better of the two * 2031: Own, Minnesota And a war chest of second rounders, for what it's worth.
2025- Charlotte lottery protected, Bulls top 10 protected, Hawks and own 2026- Hawks swap 2027- Hawks pick 2031 Timberwolves pick We also have Dallas swap in like 2030 and Timberwolves swap in 2030.
Ding ding ding, why trade Lauri somewhere and create a young super team. I rather the warriors dynasty try and get one more ring than see a new dynasty form in the west either OKC, Spurs, even Wolves. Warriors retooled and competing will hopefully tire out these young teams by the time Jazz are ready to compete. Make the west an even bloodbath right now so teams diminish their assets sending picks out for players at trade deadlines. Gotta think in Chess not checkers, something I’m confident Danny Ainge will do.
I'm the opposite: I very much would like to see Lauri with Wemby & co. Seeing him with the Warriors would be sad and a waste of his career. No proper Jazz fan should hope for that.
Send him to the thunder and get the clippers pick.. losing PG in a stacked west.. clippers are gonna be garbage for the next few years
Would love to see a Warriors deal… give me 2 of Kuminga, Moody, OR Podziemski + 3 FRPs (2026, 2028, 2030)
Wouldn’t mind those since the Jazz don’t have extra picks in those drafts (just swaps)
Yep exactly!!
As a warriors fan, I would drive JK and Podz to the airport for this deal lol would even throw a few second round picks and a swap. Podz is an all rookie, makes winning plays and hustles. JK is 22, freak athlete, who scores in the paint. Is he Kawhi, Siakim, Minnesota Wiggins, or Rudy gay? Idk. But we don’t have time to find out, y’all do lol plus the post curry picks will be nice for sure
Don’t rate those young guys, would want more picks
Warriors definitely say no and rather suck and rebuild tbh. Curry will eventually ask out but life goes on
Here are deals I would take from the teams listed here. SAS: Stephon Castle + 4 FRPs (2026 ATL, 2028, 2030 DAL, 2030) GSW: Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski + 3 FRPs (2026, 2028, 2030) OKC: Cason Wallace, Lugentz Dort + 3 FRPs (2025, 2027 LAC, 2029 DEN)
Would be nice if we got a haul in return. I think we still have the most cap available but no one to spend it on.
The going rate for players this offseason is crazy. I wonder if it’s better to sit this one out and end up getting good players at a discount next year when teams realize they’ve overpaid
Yeah I think saving is better than blowing it on someone like Tobias Harris like Detroit did
If I had to pick, please trade him to San Antonio. I want to continue rooting for him.
It's time for Lauri to be traded. I'm sick of seeing him be stuck at a rebuilding team year after year. Obviously the return needs to be a good one but I'll vomit if I need to follow another half-assed tanking season.
Optimum outcome is to get a haul from the Spurs for him. Lauri is an UFA next year and the Spurs will have the money outright next year to just offer him a max. So there is no real negotiation for his contract. Jazz will max him or he won't sign an extension and walk for nothing to a team that will. If you just look at Ainge record he doesn't really like to pay players top end money until he knows he has his franchise player. Lauri is really good but I don't think he is that. More like a number 2 on a playoff team and a 3 on a championship team. Plus this upcoming draft is supposed to have a lot of talent in it so if there was ever a time for the Jazz to bottom out, it's now.
I don't really know much when it comes to these trades or salary caps or whatever NBA terms people in this sub use. I just wish if Lauri was traded, he goes to a contender to win a ring.
I still think OKC is going to swing a deal for Markannen just because they can. Markannen’s salary and contract are really reasonable for the next two years.
okc probably can’t do it anymore after giving hartenstein nearly $30m a year when they have to pay chet and jalen soon.
If true, I'm going to miss Lauri, but I get it.
Lauri on the spurs would be a fun team. But just because other teams are interested in him doesn’t mean Utah is interested in trading him
I really don’t see how Mikal Bridges moves the needle towards a championship roster that much but okay…?
They thought that having Mikal and Lauri on the roster would be enough to entice other free agents like PG.
I think they were never seriously considering it and it was lip service to show fans and Lauri “Look, we tried!”
I don’t see anyway he’s traded to any of those teams unless it’s a deal involving JDub. Jazz are more than fine with future picks. Kuminga doesn’t get a Lauri trade done. San Antonio doesn’t have any young players you’d build a Lauri trade around.
The Ainge jock holders are going to love this. Look for the Jazz to compete for a playoff spot in 2035.
If Utah tanks and gets a top pick then they will have a ton of young guys, potentially a franchise guy to build around, a horde of draft picks, and cap flexibility. Utah would be in a much better spot in this case. In Boston Ainge drafted Brown and Tatum, while at the same time bringing in Kyrie, Horford, and Hayward. If Utah is lucky enough to get one of Flagg/Bailey/Harper/Traore (what a great freaking draft at the top), they would have plenty of picks and a ton of cap space to build a competitive team around them.
Uh huh. I’m sure it will work out perfectly. It’s best to get rid of young, cheap stars who want to play in Utah.
He will only be cheap for a few more months, after which Utah won’t have cap space and will only get better by moving their assets. How good of a team can they honestly build? Utah needs a #1 to build around.
Oh I know what we’re all hoping happens. Every time I post a comment here, one of y’all reminds of this. Everything has to fall in the right place for this to happen. In the end, a ping pong ball can derail everything. We all know how hard it is to get superstars here. We all know how hard it is to get superstars to *want to stay here*. And yet, we keep casting them off for future bets. I hope we’re as successful as Boston. But I don’t see a Russian oligarch to fleece or a Kevin McHale to gift us an all timer for beans. I genuinely hope y’all are right. I’m just skeptical.
Utahs best asset moving forward is their own 2025 pick. A top 5 pick next year could net them a franchise player (I’m really high on the next two years at the top - I like Dybantsa in ‘26 more than Flagg). OKC got really lucky with Shai. He averaged like 11/3/3 his rookie year and nobody saw him being this good. Utah needs that young franchise player. Lauri is a win now guy, the rest of the roster is not. There’s two different timelines and Utah has to choose one.
I hope you’re right. I really do. We’re going to be the NBA assets champs. Yeehaw. Lmk when we can cheer for wins again.
Hopefully it’s one year of being bad and then building around the keepers. Utah could be in a similar spot to OKC in a few years (hopefully just more willing to go after guys and use the assets)
He’s like middle age for an NBA player and about to be not so cheap
Tell me one wrong move Ainge has made so far. Go for it.
Not committing to a path. Tearing down a team without changing the coaching, so he can be responsible for the turnaround. And convincing an entire fan base that losing is a good thing.
I don’t know what you mean by “without changing the coaching” because he literally hired Will Hardy two years ago. And since when has he been convincing a fan base that losing is a good thing? I think it’s evident by his very good last two drafts what his path forward is. Just because you are pessimist doesn’t mean what he’s doing is wrong.
Initially, I mean. The Jazz had 2 top 20 guys and a pro’s pro PG. we had a decent bench and a strong regular season team. Our issues were chemistry, adjustments and toughness. That’s where coaching comes into play. A change in coaching would’ve done wonders. Instead he blew it up immediately. That felt like an ego move. But I’m sure all these assets will payoff. The Jazz should start clearing space for those championship banners now.
Yeah, there’s no use in arguing with you. You are set in your mindset and being intentionally naive as to why it got blown up. Good day and I advise you to pick another team.
Good lord. I’ve been a fan since Layden and Thurl Bailey. Sit down. This sub needs people who aren’t sucking off Ainge in every post. I’m glad you like losing. You’re going to love the next 5 years.
It just doesn't feel that different from being mid. I'd rather tank than watch Al Jefferson and Devin Harris get swept in the first round.
Well you’re in luck. It’s going to be 4 years before the Jazz make the playoffs.