RealGM

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a bold prediction.
I believe that Big Al is going to have a career year, I think that with a season behind him, his injury behind him, and the fact that he seemed to take on the role of the number one guy towards the end of the season he is going to be a monster.

Thoughts?

I really dont know what to make of Al Jefferson. He can score and I think he is s team player, but he fails to rebound well and is not a smart player. I think the Al/Favors combo works for PF/C much better than Al/Millsap (a disaster on the boards and defensively).

If the Jazz want to make Favors the face of the franchise then Big Al needs to be traded so Favors can be the guy. If the Jazz think Favors is more of a complementary player (ie Bynum) type player than they need to keep Big Al for his scoring.

These are very difficult decisions along with the draft that KOC needs to get right if the Jazz are going to be a contender again.

My feeling is that we still dont know what this team is capable of with so many new players and a new coach. It seems like everyone will be sticking around at least until the trade deadline next year (if there is a next year). THe Jazz FO believe in this team so they will give them more time together to see if they can become the team we all thought they would be. Thats why I dont think they are looking to trade Al, Paul or Harris just yet. THey are probably listening to offers, and who knows if its a no brainer trade then they might do it. But I think that they are looking to stand pat, add two new players through the draft and then running with what we have got for a season.

If Al can learn to score within the offense then I think he could have monster year.

I want to see him in his second year with the Jazz, I also want to see him full time next to Favors. I think they could complimentary each other really well, and with the skills between them, I am not so sure they aren't a duo capable of a deep run in the playoffs. Al isn't a great defensive player, but he is a shot blocker, and with Favors we have two shot blockers, and I'd like to see if Al's rebounding improves.

No need to trade Al to "make room" for Favors. They can play together and Big Al's Contract ends the year before Favors' contract does. Perfect situation to bring Favors along.

What if San Antonio traded Robinson to make room for Duncan?

The Spurs were a 59 win team before Robinson got hurt and Duncan was one of the most NBA-ready players ever. They were able to contend immediately after getting Duncan, not sure that's the case for the Jazz.

I wouldn't be opposed to trading Jefferson and start making a more defense oriented Utah Jazz, but we do need guys who can score in the post and do a little bit of rebounding; and since Jefferson has only 1 season in Utah under his belt, I'm in the camp of giving him one more year, then making the move if necessary. It also depends on who the Jazz draft as well.

If I were Milsap, and the Jazz draft Kanter I would start wondering if I were expendable.

Unless Another big steps up and starts scoring 20+ per game I don't see Big Al going anywhere.
If the Jazz go big in the draft and the player picked does well and looks promising, I would almost expect to see Milsap moved for a wing.

I was very impressed with Big Al towards the end of the season, he was putting up some monster numbers and playing like he really wanted to win every time out.
With it being his first year, coming off a serious injury, having to learn to play with several different point guards, 2 different coaches, deal with all the drama, I think he did FANTASTIC.
I want to see what he does with some stability around him.
I think he is going to be Great, I think 25/10 is a very achievable expectation.

idajazz wrote:If I were Milsap, and the Jazz draft Kanter I would start wondering if I were expendable.

Unless Another big steps up and starts scoring 20+ per game I don't see Big Al going anywhere.
If the Jazz go big in the draft and the player picked does well and looks promising, I would almost expect to see Milsap moved for a wing.

Unless Milsap will go back to the bench. I know he doesn't want to, but he could be a great 6th man playing a huge chunk of minutes. Also if Milsap can successfully move to SF then the Jazz should keep him.

I believe we are already in the situation of Milsap moving to the bench if we want to see what Favors can do.
(IF) Milsap can except the 6th man role and not become a distraction, I would absolutely love for him to be a long term Jazz player.

Can you just picture a big rotation of Big Al, Favors, Milsap, and Kanter.
The Jazz have never had that kind of talent, I would be totally geeked up.

Don't draft Kanter, guy can't defend worth squat

Millsap, imo, won't raise much of stink. He's ambitious, but ultimately still a team guy.

I dont want to even see the offers that we got for hi last year. Big Al played 82 games last year. You don't trade big men who do that. Sap plays through everything too but Favors has a higher ceiling. I say see what we can get for Sap and go young. A couple strong drafts and we will be on the rise again.