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The headline today is that the Grizzlies are looking to make a move since they didn't get Josh Smith.
The Jazz ought to jump fast and get negotiation going. AK is a very similar player as Smith and Memphis offered alot of money for Smith so they can take on AK for the remainder of his contract. And with Milicic and Marc Gasol in the potential trading items the Jazz ought to do something here.
The Jazz could use Marc Gasol like the Lakers needed Pau!! Jazz and the Lakers would be fighting for years down the road and it would be the story of the NBA for years that the two brothers always playing each other for the Championships.

I would love it if they traded for Gasol and draft picks for AK. Throw in other neccesary change somewhere and this seams to work for BOTH teams.

Will they? Do they want to break up the team now or wait one more year? Would Memphis take AK? Its it their style of play now to run more?

I wouldn't have thought the Grizzlies would have any interest in AK, but then I read they're looking to deal for ZACH RANDOLPH of all people. So anything's possible.

^Ditto. They supposedly traded Pau in part because they didn't want to commit all that money to someone who wasn't going to help them win...and now they're pursuing AK and Zach? Doesn't ring true to me.

If there is a deal to be made here, I doubt it includes Marc Gasol anyway. The Grizzlies need prospect centres (and draft picks, for that matter) a lot more than the Jazz do right now. Darko? Eh, maybe. Probably Marko Jaric to help soften the salary blow for the Griz, and other than that, who knows.

I just posted a response a like this one in the Memphis / Utah / Portland trade idea in the trade board,

I don't think that Memphis will move Marc Gasol unless the offer is outstanding given how much heat their GM took for how poorly Memphis did in that trade.

I would be content with a AK / Collins and either Almond or Fes trade for Darko / Warrick and Antoine Walker (who would have to be included for salary purposes). We can cut Antoine after this year and not pay the rest of his contract.

Warrick's deal also expires at the end of the season so if we don't care for what he brings then we are free of that obligation, as well.

Darko is a risk, and has certainly underperformed to this point. But, it may be a risk worth taking given the reality of not being able to afford AK and Boozer after this year.

We really need to stand pat with AK and play this year out. Trading him now makes no sense. If we trade him now and then Boozer and Okur opt-out and leave, what does that leave us with?

If the Grizz really want to shake it up you can have Collins and Price for Gasol

awesomator wrote:We really need to stand pat with AK and play this year out. Trading him now makes no sense. If we trade him now and then Boozer and Okur opt-out and leave, what does that leave us with?

If the Grizz really want to shake it up you can have Collins and Price for Gasol

With a lot of money and cap space!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

The Grizz are unlikely to move Gasol. He was the Spanish league MVP after being drafted based on a lower assumed potential. His stock is surprisingly high.

The Grizzlies are substantially under the cap so the salaries don't necessarily need to match in order for a trade to work.

I don't think Marc Gasol is a player I want. After watching him in the Olympics he seems to get frustrated quickly and commit stupid fouls. I'm not opposed to picking him up for the duration of his rookie contract but I don't think he will be as good as his brother.

Marc Gasol has balls, he's the tough minded son-of-a-bitch this team needs. I wouldn't mind bringing in Gasol to play next to Boozer, I think they'd compliment each other nicely.

Hikari wrote:I don't think Marc Gasol is a player I want. After watching him in the Olympics he seems to get frustrated quickly and commit stupid fouls. I'm not opposed to picking him up for the duration of his rookie contract but I don't think he will be as good as his brother.

Was this just against the US or did this happen against more equal competition? For Spain he is a go to guy, in the NBA he is a role player.

Grizz fan - please don't shoot me. The Grizz fan base seems to be split on AK. Many, such as myself, see him as a great fit at the 4 for Iavaroni's system. His salary isn't an issue (as pointed out above, as the Grizz have a ton of cap space. The problem would be what assets would be available. Mayo, Conley, Gay and Gasol wouldn't be offered - which would probably kill the whole thing right there. Darko, Javaris Crittenton, Kyle Lowry, Hakim Warrick, expiring contracts (as needed) and possibly the Lakers 2009 1st round pick (note the Grizz's first round pick can't be traded per say as it's tied as a conditional pick in a previous deal). Additionally, if moving Harpring's remaining two years is a benefit to Utah, I'm sure he could be worked in as well.

I won't offer up a scenario, as I wouldn't want to offend/be drawn and quartered here - but I'll kick in my 2 cents on any offers y'all dream up.

It would be AK for any kind of salary cap space and likely someone with potential, and the Jazz would probably have to throw someone else in too.

I just don't think the Grizz are the partners the Jazz are looking at trades with.

Things just don't seem to line up. Darko could be the defensive presence to go with Boozer that we are looking for but his contract is too big for us to get him other wise. Crittenton is intriguing but I don't think that is enough for us to make a move.

A third team wanting expirings would have to be involved. The Jazz won't settle for less than a top role player for AK. Anything less and might as well let the contract run out itself. It's only 2 seasons now.

They have nothing they are willing to part with worth adding to Darko

I would have strongly considered taking back Javaris Crittenton had the Jazz not signed Knight, but now it is just a bit repetitive. Maybe next offseason, but I really like Crittenton's game.

GrizzledGrizz you mentioned that the fans seem split on AK. With so many similarities in my book between AK and Smith I'm curious what did the fans think of the signing of Smith to a contract? Where they high on him or kinda split like you say with AK?

The Grizz had Smith signed to a deal starting at $10 million. That's a pretty significant difference to what AK draws. Smith is also younger - which has it's benefits.

The way I see it, Utah could really use cap space and flexibility (Okur and Boozer) - which only the Grizz can really offer at this time. The Grizz also have nice pieces, not great but nice, that would likely be nearly as useful/productive as Kirilenko is now. IMO he's having to play most of his minutes out of position.

Again, the Grizz have cap space, Darko, JCritt, Lowry, Warrick, the Lakers 2010 pick and expiring deals in Walker and Buckner to offer.

hmmm, yes. I know they need cap space (any player for AK would give that) but what did the Grizzles think about Smith as an addition to their team? Were they excited thinking he would be an all-star addition making his game and the Grizzlies better or not so much. Or more of a role player good addition to what they already have?