Mo Almond's future with the jazz

[Reckless]

I am wondering what kind of future does Almond have with the jazz
Will he be just used as trade bait while he lights up the d-league or will he be given his chance with the jazz next season?

I don't see Ronnie B losing his starting position anytime soon
CJ should be back next season since we can match any offer

So will Almond ever get to see his chance on the jazz?

[The Sheik]

Probably not, of our non-important players he has the highest trade value. I think he is a great fit for this system offensively, but unless AK is moved he wont be on the active roster next season.

[JStockLivesOn]

I'd like to see him get a little run early in the season. Alternate he and CJ between the roster and the inactive list like Sloan did with Miles and Brewer in 06-07.

Realistically, though, given how high the organization is on CJ, Sheik is probably right. Unless we move AK, his time with the Jazz may not be all he'd hoped it'd be. That's a shame from where I sit, especially since I'm not sold on Miles like the team and a lot of fans are.

[jazzed77]

What about trying to move either Brewer or Mo with Boozer & say Hart to Chicago for Hinrich & Tyrus?

[gojazzmjsucks]

^ Give me a day to think about that one!I might say yes, however can Hinrich play the two?I really like what Brew does for us i would give up Mo first! God I don't know what i want the jazz to do anymore!What ever gets them closer to a title i'm up for anything around D-will!

[loserX]

I've said before and I'll say again...our wing roster for next year is

Kirilenko/Brewer/Korver/Harpring/Almond/(maybe) Miles. There is no way we keep all six of those guys when we need PG and C help.

I see virtually no chance that both Almond and Miles are both with the team next year unless at least one of the other 4 is traded (and no wings come back). More likely, either Miles will walk (in which case we will see Almond) or Miles will re-sign (in which case Almond will be traded).

[ColdBlue]

I was thinking not resign CJ and keep Mo midseason, but I'm thinking now that we keep CJ for about 2-3 mil/year... that is unless he gets a nice offer elsewhere. If that happens, I bet we keep Mo and his rook contract.

I think CJ spaced himself from Mo this season, but in doing so other teams with $$ might take a chance on him. I like CJ, but his defense is atrocious.

[Neon Black]

CJ actually played good defense in spurts, he's shown he can do it. Plus he's younger than Almond, not to mention more versatile.

[carrottop12]

I would like to see Mo really get some time before we trade him.

[erudite23]

I couldn't disagree more with loserx, actually. The reality is that we have Harp breaking down right before our eyes, likely to be gone in two years, and AK who is looking more and more like trade bait. Where are their replacements? Um....on the roster.

Mo, CJ, and Brew are all getting paid relative peanuts, assuming that CJ comes back on the tender again. What, exactly, is the need to get rid of any of them? Just because? No, I don't think so.

You mention PG and C deficiencies. I point to a 1st round draft pick in what I consider to be a deep draft (especially for true Centers), two 2nds and a full MLE beneath the luxury tax as fodder for improving those deficiencies--if one even accepts that they are in need of help, which I could easily argue--by whatever small increments we could hope to improve them with such small ammo.


In that event, the question is: what improvement could we make by trading one of the 3 SGs that we couldn't make by using a pick and/or a free agent deal? I can't see any reasonable scenario coming up, really.

If the question is roster space, I can quickly direct you to one simple point: Collins and Hart, veto. They are obviously on the outs, and easily could be gotten rid of considering the expiring status of their contracts. If a deal were in the works to bring substantial help at one of those positions, then one or both of that couple would certainly be included or dispensed with immediately afterwards.

No, CJ, Ronnie and Mo will all likely be here next year.

Mo's future in particular is, well, up to Mo. It all comes down to how well he develops. If the kid can play, he will get an opportunity. If he can't, he won't. The great thing is that seems perfect for our system. He has a great mid-range and deep game. He seems like a cerebral guy who knows the game, and yet has the work ethic and toughness to fit into what Jerry wants to see.

I like him, and I think the only way he isn't here is if he somehow is asked for in a deal that we simply can't pass up.

[loserX]

I couldn't disagree more with loserx, actually. The reality is that we have Harp breaking down right before our eyes, likely to be gone in two years, and AK who is looking more and more like trade bait. Where are their replacements? Um....on the roster.

So, like I said, in order to keep both players, at least one of the guys ahead of them has to be traded (presumably with no wings coming back to further cloud the issue).

You mention PG and C deficiencies. I point to a 1st round draft pick in what I consider to be a deep draft (especially for true Centers), two 2nds and a full MLE beneath the luxury tax as fodder for improving those deficiencies--if one even accepts that they are in need of help, which I could easily argue--by whatever small increments we could hope to improve them with such small ammo.

Uh, actually, we're already at $62M for next season. That's only the full MLE beneath the luxury tax if we DON'T sign any picks and DON'T re-sign CJ Miles. Those signings would all go on our books, driving us up towards the tax line.

So if the tax turns out to be a barrier, we can CHOOSE between signing our picks, signing CJ, and using the full MLE. Maybe both of the first two if CJ comes cheap enough, which is a big if. NOT all of the above. The only way we can do what you suggest, is for Miller to disregard the tax. Just to be clear.

[The Sheik]

I tend to agree a little with E23 and with LX as well.

For one I think the Jazz will not sign anyone(besides CJ) to a deal more then a mil per.

From what I know of Harpring his knees are bone on bone and he is for sure hanging it up after this contract.

AK has to be moved this summer, not to free up minutes for anyone, but for the sheer financial aspect.

If the Jazz can use there pick to reel in a vet center they will definitely do it (say Collins, Hart and 1st rd for Foster).

I think the Jazz will think to the future and try and keep this core in tact, because in 2 yrs or less or rotation seems already set.

Brewer, Korver
CJ, MO

I think the Jazz will definitely look at some euros in the 2nd rd, otherwise unless a player really falls no 2nd rder has a chance of making this roster.

With Roster Space, I think Utah moves Hart and signs a minimum(non-guaranteed) 3rd stringer who they can waive if a player or trade comes along.

[carrottop12]

Right on Sheik, the Jazz will play it pretty safe this offseason my guess is with the exception of moving AK which will likely shake up the roster a bit.

But other then that I am guessing the Jazz do exactly what you said, try to move Collins and/or Hart and the first rounder for a defensive player, then draft a Euro and stash him.

[JStockLivesOn]

I imagine Sheik's outlook is probably realistic.

[dr0welf]

Jazz need to get rid of Hart and Collins. Get DW locked up. Then look at the options. I think Almond and Fes will be used more next year. I don't think the Jazz will make a lot of trades unless they get a blockbuster deal they can't turn away from as previously suggested.

AK is not going anywhere because he is way overpriced. Plus we have no defense once he is gone.

[The Sheik]

AK is not going anywhere because he is way overpriced. Plus we have no defense once he is gone.

Says who? Honestly the whole AK is the anchor of our Defense is overrated. He is a weak side shot blocker. He is vastly over rated as a defender, would we really miss his 1.5 bpg....no. Shot blocking is a very overrated stat, you have to get to the Camby bulk block status for it to be significant. I would take a Bowen type defender over AK any day. AK doesnt block shots anymore, he doesnt alter shots. He is becoming a glorified scorer, who occasionally leaves a mark defensively.

[dr0welf]

Actually, I would love to see the stats of deflection that the Jazz track. AK does get a lot of deflections so don't count his defense as only blocking shots. If anyone knows a place to get the deflection stat I would love to see.

If he was such an overrated defender why is he always on the other teams best player?

[gonzo]

Jazz need to get rid of Hart and Collins.

Doesn't Hart have one of those trade restrictions that ended up giving Van Horn a phoney contract with NJN. Can't remember the guy's name, but he pretty much said no deal to the original trade and is still with Dallas.

[The Sheik]

If he was such an overrated defender why is he always on the other teams best player?

Who else is going to guard them?

The young Brewer
The physically undeveloped Miles
Bone on Bone Harpring
Kyle "reference this link" Korver
http://ballhype.com/story/what_is_kyle_ ... oing_here/

Just because he is on the teams best player doesnt make him a great defender. Jerry Sloan actually thinks Matt Harpring can guard John Salmons man to man...how did the last 2 games in arco turn out?

[JStockLivesOn]

Brewer's a perfectly reasonable candidate, though he has to learn to move his feet a little better instead of extending his arm. Korver and Harpring both work their asses off, but Kyle's just not that great a defender and Harp's knee is so shot that it's all he can do to keep a guy in front of him.

I think Brew will develop into a very good defender, though he's obviously not there yet.