2019 Utah Jazz Off Season Thread

[CAE15]

Kick the tires on Kemba, Klay and Khris and maybe Dlo or Butler

If not sign an active stretch 4. Thad Young, Al Farouq Aminu, Marcus Morris

Sign a point guard with low turnovers and a good 3 point shooter. Collison, Beverley, Satoransky

Sign a wing who can play make and score on his own Lamb, Ross even Pope or 3 and D guy like Danny Green, Wes Matthews

Sign a backup center who has a bit of stretch Dedmon would be ideal not sure what his market will be or a Mike Muscala type who likely comes much cheaper

Or sign shooting overall Seth Curry, Danuel House, Jamychael Green, Mike Scott, JJ Redick, Darius Miller

This is all assuming that Rubio, Favors, Thabo, Udoh are rescinded. If you add 2 PGs then Neto as well.

For some reason I have a gut feeling that we end up with Lamb..I feel we'll offer him more than most teams and while the big guys are deciding we close the deal.

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[Inigo Montoya]

Thanks for your summaries KqWIN Much appreciated.

Seconded.

[zero24gravity]

Yes, thank you KqWIN!

My first impressions:

Quinn really did an amazing job of coaching during in the playoffs. The first two games were shaky defensively, as the team tried to figure out/buy-in to the unique D, but otherwise, masterful. Took guts to do what he did, and I think Harden is going to see more of this strategy from other teams in the future (at least in some form). The Jazz are up 3-2 right now if they even shoot average from behind the line in games 3-5, but Q can't make the players shoot straight.

Keep Favors. I think the FO is smart enough to realize how important & steady he is. Limiting his minutes is lengthening his career & making him more effective/less injured, which is huge. Plus, he keeps getting better!

Korver's injury was a big blow to the Jazz, especially because the team was so terrible from deep vs Hou. I just wish the Jazz would be a little more open with this info, for their fan's sake.

Ingles was off vs Hou, in all ways; passing, PnR effectiveness, shooting, and even in his role as an antagonizer. Not sure what was up, but I wish him well in getting through it. The idea of fixing the team's shooting by pulling the team's best shooter from the starting line-up is silly to me, but I do agree that he should get a lot of run with the 2nd unit moving forward. He and Favs are really good together & can eat up other team's B squad with ease. He's also the #2 PG with the bench squad, which fits him well.

Props to O'Neale! Glad he's not in a contract year or the Jazz would have to really overpay to keep him after the way he played in the playoffs.

Rubio, man. He played pretty well in the playoffs, but I simply think he's the most logical "big change" for the Jazz. Need another consistent outside shooter in the starting line-up. I like him, I just don't like him for the Jazz.

Niang should be kept around, IMO. Thabo, Udoh, Neto, Allen and <sigh>, Exum are all expendable (first time I've ever suggested that about Dante). I'd like for Korver to come back, but would understand if he decided to retire.

Off-season FA targets is an interesting topic. My 2 cents on what I've seen suggested so far.... Hood isn't being brought back. Do ya'll not remember the subtle shots the Jazz (don't recall if it was players, FO or both) took about players who basically were in it for their self, not willing to play unless they were 100%, etc? They were talking about Rodney, no doubt, since it happened right after he was moved. He's not a Kanter-level D-bag, but I don't think the Jazz are even considering Hood. They will certainly look at shooting, but also remember that the player needs to fit in defensively. Just STOP with any talk about Parker. Yuck. Still, a shooting 4 and someone to replace Rubio in the starting line-up (doesn't even need to be a PG, since DM can slide over) have to be the top priorities. And if they chose to trade their 1st round pick for a good vet on a 1 or 2 year deal (like they did for Hill), so be it. I won't complain.

Looking forward to a an off-season where Mitchell is healthy enough to really work on his game. He's a special player, despite his PO struggles. We're lucky to have him and he won't disappoint next season.

[KqWIN]

Rubio - Podium (Best speaker on team btw)

TL/DR: Basketball future is uncertain. Donovan's work ethic is great and he wants to be great.

- Donovan wants more, is very hungry. Sometimes he is too nice and says yes to everything when he shouldn't have to. No one he would be more proud of to have success, he deserves it. Don has special work ethic. "He is a harder worker than me".

- Could have played better, but he gave everything he had and is proud about that. Thinks they could have won the series, makes it more disappointing. Team didn't show it early on.

- Likes to lead by example, but had to be more vocal. Implies that he had to had tough conversations with team and call them out. Seems like he's talking mostly about effort.

- Uncertain about basketball future. Tries not to think about it. Wants the best situation with the coach and team.

- Trade rumors hurt him personally. What makes it extra difficult is that he plays with heart and gives it his all.

- Like being Donovan's vet. Donovan takes criticism and advice well. He wants to get better.

- Playoff experience has taught him a lot and made him a better player.

- Learned a lot from Quin's work ethic. He is next level in terms of preparation.

- Igor will get back to what he deserves.


Dante Exum - Podium

- Surgery went well. Surgeon didn't have to do as much as he expected.

- Goal is to be 100% by start of camp.

- Hardest injury, but dealing with it the best.

- Wants to improve on everything. Shooting off the dribble and around the basket mentioned specifically.

- "Control what I can control". Central theme about his development/rehab.

- Finds comfort and confidence in his work ethic through injury issues.

- Says he's struggled with tendonitis for a long time.

[stitches]

This was the other knee for Exum, right?

Ricky really has grown on me. At this point I kind of want to let him go only if we can replace him with a legit star(Lowry+) or very promising young player that fits better and will be long-term solution alongside Mitchell(Brogdon?)...

[Rauxcee]

- Free agents do want to come here. Cites....Joe Johnson, Sefalosha, and Udoh.

Well, if thats our barometer...

Thanks for your time to report this!

[KqWIN]

Mitchell - Podium

TL/DR: Summer more planned out, healthy this time. Expects to have a big summer. Team chemistry is real.

- Asked about world tour vs basketball. Says this year is different because it's all planned out. Last year was unexpected and a lot to handle. He says he didn't think he handled it the best. Has trips planned, but no China trips!

- Says he had a tough season. He only had a few good months. Lots to improve on. Appreciates this season because of success despite difficulties.

- Expects a big summer. Says "better shape", which is something he said at post game presser. Says health will be a big factor for him. Not restricted by the boot.

- Sales pitch is DPOY, himself (who will get better), unselfish players (Favors, Niang in particular), players want to win and put that over the individual things. Compares Jazz to Spurs and collegiate atmosphere.

- Team is watching avenegers tonight, still hanging out. Closest team that he's been a part of.

- Takes pride in work ethic, chip on his shoulder. Doesn't want to lose this.

- Asked about prospect of team not being the same. Says it's more difficult for younger guys like himself who haven't seen it enough. Still misses AB and Hood.

- Gives praise to Favs for his work ethic, professionalism throughout trade rumors.

- Excited to work w/ Wade this summer.

Ingles - Podium

HOU series was tough due to how they were playing him, never seen it before. Season as a whole, especially the beginning, was tough with his son's diagnosis.

- First time he has been played this way. Forcing him to his right, blitzing him in that direction. Not used to being heavily focused. Didn't know how to play it, frustrated with himself for not having impact he wanted. Will use it as motivation to get better this summer.

- Team respects Jae a lot. Happy that he's here for next season.

- Season was difficult with his son, especially at the beginning. "Nothing else mattered but [Jacob]". Toughest year of his career off the court.

- Team chemistry is geniune. Team loves playing and being around each other. Team is a special group that just needs to add one or two more pieces. Would have been easy for team to turn the other way, but chemistry kept it together through early season struggles and PG injuries.

- More high praise for system, organization.

- High praise for Royce. Wishes he could have been out there, but was very proud of Royce. Royce works very hard. Improvement was obious throughout the year. Believes he will be a big piece going forward.

[Rauxcee]

Ricky really has grown on me. At this point I kind of want to let him go only if we can replace him with a legit star(Lowry+) or very promising young player that fits better and will be long-term solution alongside Mitchell(Brogdon?)...

I agree. I really like Ricky. I really like Favors. We just can't have Favors, Rubio, and Gobert on the floor at the same time. It needs to be either Gobert, Favors, and 3 shooters or Gobert, Rubio, and 3 shooters.

[KqWIN]

Ricky really has grown on me. At this point I kind of want to let him go only if we can replace him with a legit star(Lowry+) or very promising young player that fits better and will be long-term solution alongside Mitchell(Brogdon?)...

I agree. I really like Ricky. I really like Favors. We just can't have Favors, Rubio, and Gobert on the floor at the same time. It needs to be either Gobert, Favors, and 3 shooters or Gobert, Rubio, and 3 shooters.

Just looking at the numbers, it's going to be difficult to find a more cost efficient replacement, especially the way MLEs work.

[KqWIN]

Gobert - Podium

- Sour feeling after getting eliminated earlier than past year. Thinks they are a better team than before. Excited about summer and opportunity to get better.

- Thinks everyone needs to have championship on their mind, but has to start now. Not when the playoffs start. Team is right there, just need to take the next step with the little things.


- Believes Jazz were a better team than last year. Feels like 4-1 loss was a little humiliating.

- Has barely scratched the surface on what he can do on offense. Thinks he can take it to the next level.

- Asked leading question about team chemistry...Talks about good chemistry, but then goes on to talk about how it's a business. Gobert wants upgrades lol.

Royce O'Neale - Podium

- Playing well meant a lot. Getting respect from Harden meant a lot.

- Boring questions from reporters yield boring answers.

[KqWIN]

Locker room clean out is wrapping up. here's all you need to know.

- Favs is almost certainly coming back
- There's a ton of uncertainty around Rubio, coming from both sides
- Donovan's injury/summer set him back, he's healthy this time
- Everybody believes in Donovan's work ethic
- Team chemistry is real
- Everybody loves Quin and the organization
- Korver is weighing retirement, but he probably won't.

[Luigi]

I wanna add Paul Millsap to the list here.

He defends well, and he can shoot. He may take a 2 year overpay.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I wonder where guys like Ross, Lamb, and Mirotic will land. Are they MLE players? If so, I think it makes most sense to bring back everyone due to cap dynamics.

Sign Ross/Lamb/Mirotic to MLE. Then hope to find another rotation player with BAE. Hood or Burks potentially?

Firstly, a big thanks for the summaries of the end of season interviews!

I don't have a good handle on Ross, but I'm guessing Lamb and Mirotic are north of $15M each, and my guess if that Ross is north of MLE too. There is a ton of cap space to be spent by a lot of teams this year.

I love Ricky's passion, energy and hustle. However, playing 4 v 5 on the offensive end when Ricky is left wide open just to badly miss shots makes things difficult. It sounds like Favors is coming back, so someone like Mirotic or Portis is not coming here, and the upgrade is at the PG spot (as far as a scoring/shooting). That is unless the Jazz were to include Jae in a trade for a PG, then it would open up a spot potentially to sign a stretch PF.

Ingles and Mitchell need to improve and become more consistent next year.

I have mixed feelings on Korver. He is a sniper, but he is getting old and the opposing team targeted him defensively every time he was on the court. His contract could be a valuable piece in a trade or additional cap space.

I liked Thabo last year, but he was pretty horrible this year. I don't see him coming back, given his age, etc.

Udoh at the vet minimum would be good, unless the Jazz think that Bradley can be the 3rd center, but given his weakness in defending the rim I just don't see a future for him.

Exum's trade value is very low, so he will probably be with team and is still a wild card depending on his recovery.

(Edit: Royce has become a rotation player, and unless they are trade pawns, Niang and Allen are good contracts).

[SoCalJazzFan]

BTW, how much do people think Rubio will get paid this summer? If he ends up being an MLE level player, he would be an absolute luxury to have as a backup.

[KqWIN]

BTW, how much do people think Rubio will get paid this summer? If he ends up being an MLE level player, he would be an absolute luxury to have as a backup.

PHO is the only team I thought that might be interested in him, but they just fired Igor who is super close with Rubio. If the Jazz want to squeeze him, they could probably get him for $10M or less. Basically the mid level.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Patrick Beverly could be a good fit and most likely on a reasonable contract. Not on the level of Conley or Kemba, but given the disparity in cost, would be worth considering.

(edit: http://bkref.com/tiny/kZ8Ad )

[babyjax13]

Do we even have 20M of capspace if we keep Favors?

$21M with:

- Waive+Stretch Korver
- Rescind Rubio, Thabo, Udoh

So, enough to absorb Gallo

[KqWIN]

Here's the thing about Bev vs Rubio. I think Rubio is probably the better player in a vacuum, but all competing teams in the league would like to have Beverly. How many competing teams would actually want Rubio as their starting PG? Not many.

[AingesBurner]

I’m not thrilled about keeping Favs at 18 mill, he’s a 11 mill per year guy on our team.

[PharmD]

Do we even have 20M of capspace if we keep Favors?

Oh, just for the record, in case I haven't made it clear before - I **** LOVE FAVORS!

Letting Rubio, Thabo, Udoh, walk and then stretching Korver but keeping the #19 pick (and its 2.66M cap hold) gets the Jazz salary to 88.6M. So then, what's the cap come in at? The capulator predicts a 108M cap, NBA predicted 109M. Playoff ratings are down 18% overall so it might come in lower than expected.