Offseason question #1: should he stay or should he go

[babyjax13]

The forum has been more dead than usual because this season hasn't been particularly fun to watch, but we do have some really interesting storylines moving into the offseason and there are reasons to be hopeful about the long-term future of the franchise. I am going to come up with some questions for us to discuss, but I also encourage other people to come up with major questions, too, as individual threads (and post them as polls!). I'll link all the questions in the opening post of threads I create.

Today's question is a simple one: should Utah trade Lauri, or should they keep him? See options below.

[bkohler]

I think it’s a little more nuanced than any of those options. I’d say shop him for sure but I wouldn’t trade him for just anything. I’d prefer young prospects and picks but would be willing to keep him as well.

[babyjax13]

I think it’s a little more nuanced than any of those options. I’d say shop him for sure but I wouldn’t trade him for just anything. I’d prefer young prospects and picks but would be willing to keep him as well.

I wouldn't trade him for a bad package, but I do think we should prioritize moving him. One of the problems Dallas had is that they short-circuited their rebuild with Luka. They were still really good, but if they had one more shot at a star in the draft they may have been much better. There is also a timeline issue. Most rookies - even great rookies - do not contribute much to winning in their first year or two. Even assuming we get Flagg, that means next season is still not an amazing year for us, though we'd likely be too good for a high pick if Lauri has literally any help (which Flagg would be). So, 2027-28 is when you start trying to really improve. Lauri will be 29, so still several good years left, but by the time Flagg is entering his prime (usually around year 6 or 7 in the NBA) Lauri will be 34. The timeline just isn't quite right, even if it isn't awful. I'd rather be investing in players that have a chance of being in that long-term core.

[Jazz Dog]

I voted to keep him. We need to hang on to our best players for two years from now. We need to be in bottom eight again next year so our pick doesn’t convey. We can manage one more year like this year so our young guys get more experience. In 2027 with our young guns and Markanaan and Sexton we will be pretty good. This year we need top three and top three next year and we are set. This summer I would trade Collin’s and Mr sixth man himself, Clarkson. I would replace them with hopefully Flagg or Harper and I like Egor at 22.

[Jazz Dog]

I like the roster of starting five.
Kessler
Markanaan
Flagg or Henricks
Harper or Sexton
Collier

Off the bench
George
Filipowski
Williams
Jujang
Sensibaugh
Egor Denim
Oscar Tshiebwe. Love my younger Paul Milsap
Potter
Martin
Skinner

[bkohler]

I think it’s a little more nuanced than any of those options. I’d say shop him for sure but I wouldn’t trade him for just anything. I’d prefer young prospects and picks but would be willing to keep him as well.

I wouldn't trade him for a bad package, but I do think we should prioritize moving him. One of the problems Dallas had is that they short-circuited their rebuild with Luka. They were still really good, but if they had one more shot at a star in the draft they may have been much better. There is also a timeline issue. Most rookies - even great rookies - do not contribute much to winning in their first year or two. Even assuming we get Flagg, that means next season is still not an amazing year for us, though we'd likely be too good for a high pick if Lauri has literally any help (which Flagg would be). So, 2027-28 is when you start trying to really improve. Lauri will be 29, so still several good years left, but by the time Flagg is entering his prime (usually around year 6 or 7 in the NBA) Lauri will be 34. The timeline just isn't quite right, even if it isn't awful. I'd rather be investing in players that have a chance of being in that long-term core.

I completely agree. I’d love to get a ‘second draft’ guy who might have some more value here and picks for Lauri but that might happen later in the season as well. I could also see a world where we eat and awful contract like Beal or Paul George to grab a second lottery pick in this draft.

Regardless of trading Lauri or not I think the general plan and timeline should be being in the bottom five next year on purpose and probably bottom 10 in 2027 with us not actively tanking but just being young.

I also think a bigger question for me than Lauri is the extension of Kessler and which of the current young ones are keepers. For some of them (Keyonte is in this boat for me) we should move on if we don’t think they’re long term pieces before they lose all value.

[Daddy 801]

It all depends on where we land with our pick and what is offered for Lauri.

Regardless of those two scenarios I want a tank as hard as this season next season as well. That is the #1 priority.

If Lauri understands that there will be one more season of tanking and then the Jazz will either go all in on free agents or trade him, and he is ok with another season like this season, then it’s ok to keep him. If he isn’t ok with that it’s time to trade him.

If a trade isn’t at least two decent picks I’m keeping him though.

[Inigo Montoya]

I think it really depends on the direction the Jazz are planning to go the next 1-2 seasons, and also on the return. I wasn't thrilled with the reported offers for Markkanen when the rumors were flying. The Jazz proved they can tank with him and can sit him for half of the season against weak competition. If they manage to move on from Collins and Clarkson, they can keep Markkanen with whomever the Jazz pick (let's hope it's Flagg) and still be bad for one season. I am in no rush to move him, I think his game will age pretty well but he does need to work on his post up game so he could use his size better near the basket as he gets older.

[HadAnEffectHere]

He has no trade value currently, there's no chance of a trade unless Ainge is fired and I don't think he should be traded in the offseason either. If the Jazz want to trade him, they need to go all out for the first 20 games of the season to prove that the last 1.5 years were just him tanking.

[Daddy 801]

He has no trade value currently, there's no chance of a trade unless Ainge is fired and I don't think he should be traded in the offseason either. If the Jazz want to trade him, they need to go all out for the first 20 games of the season to prove that the last 1.5 years were just him tanking.

I don’t think you are right. His value may be lower but unreadable doesn’t seem correct. And why would Ai he need to be fired to trade him? Seems weird.

[Jiipee84]

Should Jazz do this trade?

[Gert42]

I voted keep him no matter what. I would be OK if the Jazz looked into offers, but I think we need good players to help makes young players better. Unless you draft KD-Westbrook-Harden type level players up top, then we need some guys around. That said I would listen to deals.

[babyjax13]

Wanted to see if people have thoughts now that we know where we are picking!

[SoCalJazzFan]

His value was high last season, low after this past season. However, from what I have read on draft boards and social media accounts, John Collins is on many opposing team fans' wish list, which I chalk up to Collins having good numbers this season.

So, it might be best to gauge Lauri's worth at the trade deadline after he can show that he can still play.

I really like him and love that he is willing to stay in Utah, but the timeline just got a bit trickier with him.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Question- is Markk eligible to be traded now or do the Jazz have to wait until the anniversary of him signing his new deal (was it August)?

[tugs]

I'm just happy for all fans who wouldn't need to endure the inconsistencies in the rotation and "efforts" on the floor. I think Utah will start to be competitive now and focus on winning. The Flagg sweepstakes messed me up as a fan

[Inigo Montoya]

Question- is Markk eligible to be traded now or do the Jazz have to wait until the anniversary of him signing his new deal (was it August)?

I think they have to wait.

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm just happy for all fans who wouldn't need to endure the inconsistencies in the rotation and "efforts" on the floor. I think Utah will start to be competitive now and focus on winning. The Flagg sweepstakes messed me up as a fan

I'd be shocked if the Jazz decided to be competitive and win games next season. For what? Nothing is changed, except the need to get top talent just got even more dire. And next season the draft is supposed to be even deeper and the Jazz would have to give up their pick to OKC if it's 8 or lower, which only gives them more incentive to tank.

[BigJimFinn]

Question- is Markk eligible to be traded now or do the Jazz have to wait until the anniversary of him signing his new deal (was it August)?

I think they have to wait.

He was ineligible to be traded for 6 months after date of signing the extension, which went past the trade deadline.
He is eligible with no limitations to be traded this off-season. Source as always: Larry Coon's CBA-FAQ.

[Inigo Montoya]

Question- is Markk eligible to be traded now or do the Jazz have to wait until the anniversary of him signing his new deal (was it August)?

I think they have to wait.

He was ineligible to be traded for 6 months after date of signing the extension, which went past the trade deadline.
He is eligible with no limitations to be traded this off-season. Source as always: Larry Coon's CBA-FAQ.

Excellent. Thanks for the correction.