Jazz brass on potential trades

[Fido]

There was interesting interviews with team President Randy Rigby and Kevin O'Connor (they appears regularly on local radio) where they talked about generally what the Jazz are looking to do in a trade. Here are the interesting things I remember:
- The Jazz are only a couple games out of being well into the playoffs so no need to panic yet.
- The Jazz WOULD consider adding more salary THIS SEASON. But adding to future years beyond the current CBA is really something they will avoid due to the unknowns of what the league financials will look like in the new CBA. The CBA expires after the 2010-11 season with a league option to extend 1 more year.
- The trade that sent Harpring and Maynor to OKC returned 2 trade exceptions that are good for the next year. (Harpring = $6.5 mill. and Maynor = $1.3 mill. Harpring's is the largest trade exception out there with the exception of Turkoglu's in ORL which is $6.9 mill) So not only was this deal financial in providing $10 in luxury tax and salary relief but also greatly increases trade flexibility for the next year.
- The trade exceptions mean the Jazz can use either (can't be combined) to bring back a player with equal or lesser salary without sending a player out in exchange. (Larry Coon has a great story on trade exceptions--google it if you like)

Given this, I don't see deals for Rip Hamilton (thru 2012-13) or Maggette (thru 2012-13) or similar contracts working out. Anyone see deals that would work where the Jazz aren't fire-selling Boozer, AK, Brewer, CJ and others for salary reducing nothing but expiring players to "get below the luxury tax" OR take on long, long contracts?

PS: it sounds like Caron Butler may be going to LAC for Camby so WAS can get another salary off the books for next year.

[DelaneyRudd]

Interesting stuff. I figure the trade exception would be a nice chip next year.

[The Sheik]

my favorite trade is sending Boozer to orlando for Pietrus, Anderson and the Hedo TPE solves all of our problems and gives us a young prospect.

edit: just realized that you have to acquire a single player...lame

[StocktonShorts]

- The Jazz are only a couple games out of being well into the playoffs so no need to panic yet.

This is the most disturbing part to me. The goal for this team should not be just to make the playoffs as the 8th seed, but apparently that's what management thinks.

[DelaneyRudd]

If you are in the playoffs you have a shot at winning a title.

[HammerDunk]

If you are in the playoffs you have a shot at winning a title.

Not as an 8 seed...

[DelaneyRudd]

Yes you certainly do. All you have to do is beat the #1 seed. The 9th seed however does not get that opportunity.

[kebutah]

If you can't win on the road just slipping into the playoffs isn't good enough. Although I guess the team will make money from our one home playoff game.

[DelaneyRudd]

Being the 8th seed means you are probably a worse team than the 1st seed. That's why they are at a disadvantage. But blowing up a playoff team midseason isn't a good idea because trading is no guarantee your rebuild will be any better. If you are out of the playoffs, you have nothing to lose.

[Fido]

- The Jazz are only a couple games out of being well into the playoffs so no need to panic yet.

This is the most disturbing part to me. The goal for this team should not be just to make the playoffs as the 8th seed, but apparently that's what management thinks.

Not sure why that is too disturbing. Today the Jazz are 4 games back from home court advantage in the playoffs. The point is if they right the ship and get on a run, they are right back in the thick of the hunt.

[HammerDunk]

The problem with that way of thinking is that you can become a team that makes the playoffs every year but never gets past the first or second round. This team doesn't need to be blown up, they are just one good trade away from being much better.

[DelaneyRudd]

There's a different strategy needed for off season deals. I'm talking mid-season. When the team is in it's off season there is only speculation as to what the season will be like.

[hoops4life]

- The Jazz are only a couple games out of being well into the playoffs so no need to panic yet.

This is the most disturbing part to me. The goal for this team should not be just to make the playoffs as the 8th seed, but apparently that's what management thinks.

I'm sure that the 8th seed isn't their goal. Don't be ridiculous. Even one playoff series has great financial incentive for the jazz.

[DelaneyRudd]

It's not just that though, an 8th seed is a bird in hand and a shot at a championship. You got the 8th seed by being significantly worse than number 1 but the opportunity is still there. In the off season all teams are basically equal and you have more ability to make bigger changes.

[jazzfan1971]

How many 8 seeds ahve ever won a chip?

[DelaneyRudd]

Zero. But they have the opportunity to. Plus getting towards the trading deadline a team in 8th place also has the opportunity to lower their seed. A playoff team does deals to get better this year. That's a GMing maxim.

[kebutah]

How many 8 seeds ahve ever won a chip?

None. By the same token no team has won the title since the seedings with a losing rec ord on the road.

[DelaneyRudd]

How many 8 seeds ahve ever won a chip?

None. By the same token no team has won the title since the seedings with a losing rec ord on the road.

Every championship team since the NBA/ABA merger has made the playoffs.



Maybe longer, I haven't checked.

[stevebozell]

Delaney, youre starting to sound foolish.

[FJS]

He is optimistic... Of course they have a chance, but this is really slim.... and history show it is almost impossible.

We know Jazz are not contenders playing like they are doing lately.