So, we kept AK, now what?

[Jazza2319]

They shouldn't sign him for any more than the MLE, even then it is a little iffy. Considering the huge contract he has milked since 04, he should sign for 5 million per. They really need to try and move Al Jefferson now though, you cant afford to paying a guy like that 15 million a season unless you are contending. Maybe they can package him and Memo's 11 million dollar expiring for a team trying to chase Dwight next summer. Bear in mind that Favors is only 19 or 20, so they need to get into that re-building mode rather quickly. They just might end up with the no.1 pick this summer from the nets, but anything in the top 3 will make a big difference. Erving is a possiblity, and so is Terrence Jones

[TDIDDY]

Moving Jefferson is the not a smart move!!

But I really wish we would of unloaded AK for Wallace

The Millers says they spend money and this should prove to the fans they are trying to win but what it really shows is KOC doesnt know really what he is doing having the 6th highest payroll and not even close to being a top 6 team?

[Fido]

Moving Jefferson is the not a smart move!!

But I really wish we would of unloaded AK for Wallace

The Millers says they spend money and this should prove to the fans they are trying to win but what it really shows is KOC doesnt know really what he is doing having the 6th highest payroll and not even close to being a top 6 team?

Wait....KOC doesn't know what he is doing? I don't see how in the world you can say that--after he just stunned the NBA (in a good way) with the Deron deal. Now that Deron re-aggravated his wrist and pretty much sucked in his first game with the Nets, it makes the job Harris and Favors did in tonight's game look even better. KOC is the man.

[dr0welf]

I think they will offer AK a decent deal that is fair to both. AK will stay as long has he feels he was dealt with fairly. I expect him to go down to the 6-8mil range 3 year contract team option on 3rd year. But again it will all depend on how the CBA works out.

[Montanajazz]

We re-sign AK and Watson next year. We trade CJ and let Elson, Fes,and Price walk. We draft a shooting guard or get one in a Miles/Bell trade or for another point guard

[Montanajazz]

We re-sign AK and Watson next year. We trade CJ and let Elson, Fes,and Price walk. We draft a shooting guard or get one in a Miles/Bell trade or for another point guard

[Luigi]

Keeping AK is a bigger deal now that there has been so much turnover. Typical, paying Jazz fans like to know their team year after year (probably a product of the long lived Stockton, Malone, Sloan years). The average fan has no idea people actually write on NBA basketball forums, and they don't like to go to a game and wonder who all these players and coaches are. Signing AK would help with branding the new team.

Matthews got something like 5 years 32 million.

Last season's MLE was 5.585M. This season's MLE was 5.854M. I'm hearing about lower salaries next year, so something like 5.5M seems reasonable to me. I'd love to see AK get four or five years at that. The trick will be getting him to turn down the Nets' bigger offer to work in the town he will be living in regardless of where he signs.

[StocktonShorts]

Keeping AK is a bigger deal now that there has been so much turnover. Typical, paying Jazz fans like to know their team year after year (probably a product of the long lived Stockton, Malone, Sloan years). The average fan has no idea people actually write on NBA basketball forums, and they don't like to go to a game and wonder who all these players and coaches are. Signing AK would help with branding the new team.

Matthews got something like 5 years 32 million.

Last season's MLE was 5.585M. This season's MLE was 5.854M. I'm hearing about lower salaries next year, so something like 5.5M seems reasonable to me. I'd love to see AK get four or five years at that. The trick will be getting him to turn down the Nets' bigger offer to work in the town he will be living in regardless of where he signs.

Don't forget about the Blazers' toxic offer.

In all seriousness the biggest competitor for AK will be Russia. If he stays in the states I think the determining factor will be length of contract. I think he'll be looking for a 4-year deal.

[retiredcoach]

My best guess is AK will be offered a 4 year deal worth $9 to $11 million with the 4th year, the team's option. I doubt the Jazz will match it, but I also doubt they'll find a player with his combination of skills for less money. I don't care what AK says, his agent is going to shop him and the Jazz will have to match or he's gone. He might take a mil a year less if the 4th year is guaranteed or something else similar. It's really difficult to project contracts with the new CBA, so right now speculation probably isn't too likely to be spot on.

I think with Harris, AK's production is going to increase. But injuries are an issue. No question.

KOC did not saddle the Jazz with a 6th highest payroll. LHM did that when he was pissing in his pants to give AK a max deal because John and Karl were gone. Then the Jazz over paid to get Memo and now they'll have to over pay to get rid of him.

One key to the Jazz is getting Hayward to shoot. I'm not sure why he's a reluctant shooter. He doesn't need to create scoring opportunities for other players in the pro's like he did in college. He also still avoids contact and that's what causes some of his misses and turnovers. That's another hold over from the college days. He has to fix those two issues if he wants to be a big time Yo and not a 7th or 8th bench Yo.

I've watched Hayward go through shooting drills with other Jazz players. He's one of the best shooters on the Jazz, and if he starts taking 10 to 15 shots a game and not avoiding contact, he'll have the best shooting percentage for the Jazz outside of the paint bigs.

Jefferson should not even be a consideration in a trade. The guy is going to be a corner stone to the Jazz's future. The combination of Jefferson, Millsap and Favors is going to put the hurt on a lot of teams. Not just because of the points in the paint, but also because of rebounds--especially defensive rebounds--and time at the free throw line.

CJ has a role to play but he needs to be retooled a bit from a three chucking wild man to a penetration player. He also needs to up the defense. With his athletic skills getting beat the way he does makes often makes no sense.

[Luigi]

Yeah, gotta conisder CCKA (Russia) and Portland in the contract deals for AK. His agent will surely drive up the offer in any way possible. I don't think the Jazz could afford him at the 9M per year, let alone 11M. Here's to hoping he's too happy to leave.

That's an excellent analysis of Hayward that I hadn't noticed, but I think it's spot on.

I hope management sees Jefferson as the cornerstone. When you find a big you can build around, I think you've started right.

If Miles drove more and put more energy into defense he could win me over. It might be as simple as limiting the number of jumpers he takes on his many iso plays and not calling his number for the curl shot.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

I'll take Deron as my best player over AK as my best player.

Go ahead and argue with that if you'd like.

I would but it would take waaaaaay too long and it's completely irrelevant because
A: Deron is gone
and
B: AK isn't our best player on the team right now.