Trading for Big Al

Black_Jack21 · Post #1 » by **Black_Jack21** » Thu Feb 7, 2013 2:05 am

Wiretap has a rumor that spurs could be pursuing trades for Al Jefferson.

Al is a free agent that Utah is unlikely to re-sign and moving him frees up mins for Favors, Kanter, Millsap etc

I'm wondering what the spurs could be offering in exchange. Blair would be the assets most likely to be traded but I could hardly see him being the centerpiece for Jefferson.

Wiretap reports that a strong bond between the two front offices is also a factor.

All I know is that I hope a trade like this happens. Al is a legit low post player and adding him to the roster would pry out contending window open for a bit longer and even hold us in reasonable stead for a rebuild.

batmana · Post #2 » by **batmana** » Thu Feb 7, 2013 2:34 am

I am also wondering what on earth could we offer to get a player with a sizable contract as Jefferson. I don't have the time to fiddle with the trade-checkers so any inside is much appreciated.

Now I could be in the minority here but I don't want us to do this deal. Jefferson is not a guy I'd break the depth and chemistry we currently have, plus we might have to move several guys to match the salary which I wouldn't like.

Donald Kaufman · Post #3 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Thu Feb 7, 2013 10:03 am

We won't get him, though it would be nice. We're just not big players at the trade deadline and never have been. I could understand if we we were .500 but we're sitting pretty.

QuantumMacgyver · Post #4 » by **QuantumMacgyver** » Thu Feb 7, 2013 4:52 pm

Jazz fan here. Big Al is undeniably one of the best low-post scorers in the league. Not only that but he is incredibly efficient in the clutch. The article claims the Spurs FO would acquire Big Al to protect the rim. This is way of base. If that is what is expected of him, then you all will be extremely disappointed. That being said, he is easily top 5, probably top 3 offensive centers in the game.

Patty Mills has been mentioned in the trade. I am curious of your thoughts on him, and also what you all think of Cory Joseph. Surely a PG would have to be included in the deal. Blair, Jackson, Mills or Joseph, and your 1st round draft pick are what I am hearing with rumblings of Splitter in the deal instead of Blair, but that doesn't make much sense for either side. However, this trade would get it done. Not sure if you still possess this years 1st round pick. I know there have been a number of trades in the last few years for you guys.

pickIBL · Post #5 » by **pickIBL** » Thu Feb 7, 2013 7:50 pm

Way easier for a trade to go down involving Paul Millsap. I would think a team winning like the Spurs are not wanting to make big changes. If they can add Millsap without giving up a big piece like Splitter... maybe they do it.

They could give a back up PG... they have an expiring deal... Blair... the rights to Lorbek... picks... That might make more sense. They could maybe even snag Marvin Williams Jr

Frankie23 · Post #6 » by **Frankie23** » Fri Feb 8, 2013 12:56 am

Trading Splitter doesn't make sense for the Spurs. He's been playing very good on defense and offense. He has not the same talent as Big Al, but Al is not as good as Splitter on defense.
Anyways, Splitter is a RFA next year and Al is a FA, so that's unfair for the Spurs. Both have similar age and Splitter is getting overpaid, so it's the same as Jefferson.

It can make sense if they trade for Blair, Bonner+buyout, neal, Jeseph, Mills..And Jackson to match contracts. I think maybe the Jazz can get something more for Al Jefferson though..

Post #7 » by **Nolan** » Fri Feb 8, 2013 4:31 am

I'd love to pick him up. But I really doubt its going to happen.

If a package of Mills + Blair and S-Jax would do it i'd be all over it but if the deal includes Splitter or Green then i'd pass. We can't give up for core players for a dude on an expiring contract.

Fido · Post #8 » by **Fido** » Fri Feb 8, 2013 5:56 am

Frankie23 wrote:Trading Splitter doesn't make sense for the Spurs. He's been playing very good on defense and offense. He has not the same talent as Big Al, but Al is not as good as Splitter on defense.
Anyways, Splitter is a RFA next year and Al is a FA, so that's unfair for the Spurs. Both have similar age and Splitter is getting overpaid, so it's the same as Jefferson.

It can make sense if they trade for Blair, Bonner+buyout, neal, Jeseph, Mills..And Jackson to match contracts. I think maybe the Jazz can get something more for Al Jefferson though..

Anyone else off the bottom of your bench you'd be willing to include? :lol:

Black_Jack21 · Post #9 » by **Black_Jack21** » Fri Feb 8, 2013 9:27 am

One theory is that any team that will take the punt on 3 months of Al would be a contender looking to get over the top.

And I'm sure most contenders will have the same reaction, why would we gut a team thats doing well for 3 months then see him go in free agency.

This is why the point that our front offices are so cozy and utah's plethora of big men is important.
With any substantial offers being shelved due to not wanting to break up a winning core or any lottery teams knowing they can just bid for him in free agency.
utah may take a low ball offer from us because we seem to be real chummy just to get some assets in return.

In terms of a talent swap no way spurs come close to the best offer. But maybe we can get a 'Mates Rates' offer.

Still a pipe dream but there may be some substance to it.

slcjosh · Post #10 » by **slcjosh** » Fri Feb 8, 2013 7:33 pm

Jazz fan here, poppin in to see what Spurs fans are talking about/thinking about this trade.

Sheridon hoops reported that the jazz would give up al for splitter, stephjax and mills. I think its a bunch of hot air. the jazz wouldnt do this, splitter will be expiring, steph jax would probably hate his life in salt lake and could upset the chemistry too much, and mills is meh. I think the jazz are better off letting foye and burks combo for the point still until mo williams is back. That way burks gets more minutes to develop and we can see what he is really made of.

Plus you guys are on a roll right now even with timmy and manu out, i dont see the teams making any swaps.

slcjosh · Post #11 » by **slcjosh** » Fri Feb 8, 2013 7:36 pm

one more thought, the only way the jazz make a deal for al is if the spurs take away the splitter portion and add in kahwi leanord instead. and we all know that is not gonna happen.

Fido · Post #12 » by **Fido** » Fri Feb 8, 2013 7:36 pm

I completely understand the Spurs not being interested in shaking up their team (best record in the NBA after all) or not having Jefferson fit the team. But I assure you there is no way the Jazz trade their top offensive player for a collection of bottom of your bench guys and Stephen Jackson. Salaries and team needs just don't match up here.

franktony · Post #13 » by **franktony** » Sat Feb 9, 2013 9:39 am

A few things

Splitter will be a RFA, while Jefferson will be a UFA. Big difference here. Spliiter is not a bottom of the bench guy. He is a starter and he is a big reason why SA has a top 5 defensive team this season.

No, SA won't give you Leonard for an UFA that we would have to either overpay to keep or let walk.

And again, Al Jefferson is a bad fit here. Pop has made it clear that he wants defense this season and SA is a top 5 defensive team this season.

Last season, the Jazz gave up 110 points with Jefferson on the floor and 101 when he was off. Why would SA pursue a such a bad defensive player? Even offensively, while he has pretty low-post moves, he is not very efficient. A low post player should do better than 17ppg on 15 shots @ 51%TS.

It's CIA Pop. I don't think SA has any interest in Al Jefferson, not matter the players involved.