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I was listening to Locke today and he was talking about Millsap not being an all-star, which I tend to agree. Of course many people flamed one guy being hilarious enough and having a T.O. moment and trying to personal attack Locke (it was pretty funny listening to him chew the caller out).

I started thinking about whether Millsap is the kind of player that can carry the team in the 4th. I honestly tried to think of moments where he did and I couldnt think of many.

Obviously we all love Millsaps heart and defensive effort, but Ive come to this conclusion.

If we sign Boozer and lose Millsap we need to sign a Turiaf type energy guy to replace him. If we sign Millsap and let Boozer walk we will have to add another scorer because honestly the team wont go far.

So Ive put together a package that I think could help the Jazz semi-rebuild the team.

First trade Boozer to Detriot for Rip Hamilton.

Detriot does it because...

They obtain Boozers bird rights and would be the front runner to get him in the summer. Or option two, they clear so much cap space with Boozer, Sheed and AI expiring that they could suck it up for one year get a good draft pick and then be the front runner to land Bosh in 2010. They may even have enough cap space to sign both Boozer and Bosh.

Utah does it because...

RIP is the perfect SG for the Jazz system. He is the best scorer in the league without the ball, he improves our poor perimeter D and brings leadership and veteran savvy. He also has a modest 11.3 salary for the next 3 yrs. This also allows us to move Brewer to the 3.

Trade AK and Almond to Cleveland for Wally world, JJ Hickson and a 1st round pick.

Cleveland does it because...

I honestly dont know why, I heard thrope say they were interested the other day.

Utah does it because...

Clear 13.3 mil in salary, get a nice insurance policy in Hickson who could backup the remaining PF. We coul also ship the pick to Minny and not lose our pick this season. I would also want to buyout Wally and let him go back to Cleveland, I dont want him to play here.

I also think that if Korver opts out (not likely) we need to let him walk. Sure he is sexy, but he honestly doesnt do much more then CJ does and I think CJ would do fine in Korvers role.

Finally we honestly need to address the PG situation this summer. Whether its drafting Derons backup or signing a real deal backup via FA. There is a pretty decent PG class this summer. I know KOC is high on Collison, but there some other solid guys. We need to find a George Hill kind of guy. One name to look at is Eric Maynor.

Most importantly we need to get more athletic. When I think about Jerry Sloan or Jazz basketball, I think of latterly slow people whose idea of D is fouling people and putting them on the line. Or getting raped in the paint all night or double teaming no names and seeing people drain 3 after 3.

I personally dont see us winning a title this season, do you? So why not maximize our assets, re-load, get healthy and get after it next season.

Thoughts?

I also do not see this team as constructed winning a title. Boozer and AK are both too injury prone for consistent winning.

Our team needs to become more athletic and tougher. Tougher does not mean fouling more. We are wasting roster spots on Collins and Harpring who are both past their effective playing time.

Our one dimensional players, like Korver and Memo, need to develop more consistency. When you only do one thing well you need to always do it well.

Our younger guys: CJ, Kosta, maybe even Brewer need more consistent minutes in order to develop more confidence in their abilites.

Deron needs to work on reducing his turnovers-even though some are based on the other guys not being where theya re supposed to be.

Interesting ideas, Sheik. But do you honestly believe we'll be a better minus Boozer and AK and adding Rip? Plus, I'm not as high on CJ as you. Funny thing is, this year he looks like a better long range shooter than Korver, but Korver does everything else better. Defense, passing and not commiting as many dumb TO. Also, Brewer and Miles are pretty athletic and neither of them is a really good defender. I think we need guys who know how to defend and not just getting more athletic. There's a lot of pretty athletic teams in the league who defend like crap.

Detroit wont trade Rip for a FA that they can easily acquire in the offseason w/out getting some sweetener.

princeofpalace wrote:Detroit wont trade Rip for a FA that they can easily acquire in the offseason w/out getting some sweetener.

"Easily aquire" is overstating things. The Jazz can pay him more than any other team, so if they want him, they better plan on getting his bird rights via trade, or doing a sign-and-trade this summer.