Utah After Darko?

[SD2042]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... _for_utah/


One question I have is will the Grizz give up on Darko after one year on the squad? darko had his moments on the floor, but his PT was plagued by injuries and inconsistancy last season. While getting back Harp solves our backup SF position. Getting another Collins twin would be a step backwards when you compare Darko to Jarrod. Would be ironic if this trade were to go down considering that the grizz traded away one twin and get back the twin brother in another trade.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

I just don't see Darko for Collins 1.1 and Harpring. Big fat Meh

[Ming Kong!]

I've always liked Harpring, but I think it's time for CJ Miles in Utah, so I'd definitely welcome parting ways with Harpring to give more playing time to Miles and Almond, and Milicic would be a great defensive addition for Utah.

Anyways, the article is nothing more than a response to a reader of the newspaper, not a rumor.

[grizzleGM]

I might consider Darko plus some to add AK to this team if Utah is looking to deal him, but this is pretty crappy value for a decent C in the league... We all know the Collins boys are not worth their contracts.

[GP]

I've always liked Harpring, but I think it's time for CJ Miles in Utah, so I'd definitely welcome parting ways with Harpring to give more playing time to Miles and Almond, and Milicic would be a great defensive addition for Utah.

Anyways, the article is nothing more than a response to a reader of the newspaper, not a rumor.

Exactly.

[partnerfusion]

Would you guys consider:

Kirilenko

For

Milicic
Buckner

Jazz need the cap room and this would save them a bundle. Thoughts?

[SD2042]

Although it would be agood to have AK-47. The Jazz fans would be P.O. if such a trade took place. Just not enough value coming back for a player of AK's calibur.

[dark-child]

Many feel that Kirilenko is playing out of position with Utah at the small forward and actually his best position is the power forward position. His team defense would really elevate what we are trying to do here in Memphis. In the deal metioned I wish Darko was not apart of it and a lot more dollars were going Utah's way. Of all the 13 million plus power forwards he may actually fit the best.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

I'm with you dark-child. I believe that Kirilenko would flourish under Ivy in Memphis. He would bring a very, very similar skill set at the 4 that the Grizz were hoping to get out of Josh Smith. Just look at his numbers prior to Boozer's arrival. Is he overpaid? Of course he is. But, that's the price we'd have to pay. I'd love to see a deal in which Grizz were able to pick up Harpring and AK47 - I'd hate it to be at the cost of Darko, but I'm sure Collins could be had as well...

[Downtown]

Kirlilenko for Milicic and Buckner? C'mon, there's no debate to be had on that sort of trade. Kirilenko can play power forward and would be great help for both Gasol and Gay. It's a lopsided deal for the Grizzlies in my opinion, and one that Utah wouldn't even consider.

[nghedman]

With AK involved, his value would have to pull one of the Grizz's top players. I don't think Utah would take anything less than Gasol. If Harpring or others is involved Darco might be included but AK is a proven all-star in the right position in the right offensive set and continues to show that on occasions

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

It's give and take though nghedma. AK is definitely not an All Star in his current situation with Utah. He is certainly overpaid for the way he is used. Utah will also need all the space and flexibility they can get if the goal is to resign both Boozer and Okur. I'm not saying that it will happen, but it's not unreasonable to posit that the Grizz could reasonably trade for AK without giving up one of their core young players (with Darko, Lowry, JCritt, Warrick, the Lakers' pick, Antoine/Buckner all being in play).

[Downtown]

I just don't see Utah doing it, but if Memphis has the chance to get him I think Kirilenko is a good fit despite his contract. He has the requisites I feel that would make the Grizzlies better. A key contributor on both ends of the floor that doesn't have to have the ball in his hands to be effective.

Now you've got me wondering if he might be a good compliment alongside Gasol, both who are schooled in the Eurostyle of team ball. If Memphis does want to spend a big chunk of money then at least AK47 is a better option than Zach Randolph.

[jefe]

Would you guys consider:

Kirilenko

For

Milicic
Buckner

Jazz need the cap room and this would save them a bundle. Thoughts?

I love AK47 the player, but hate his contract. He's 27 years old, and on the exact same payscale as Pau Gasol. IMO, it's debatable whether or not he'd be any better of a team leader than Gasol was here. All things considered, I don't think Grizz mgmt. would want AK47 at that price. But then again, if the Zach Randolph rumor has any basis in reality (he's a player of roughly the same age and pay scale of both AK47 and P. Gasol, yet I'm certain he's less of a team leader than either of them) then I would hope that Grizz mgmt. has more interest in AK47 than Randolph.

[bgassassin]

I too would rather have AK than Zach, but why help Utah out when the player this move allows them to keep can be pursued by us later on. It's time for us to be a little selfish for once.

[Fido]

From a Jazz perspective, the proposed deals wouldn't work from a salary perspective. The reason the Jazz need cap space is for next summer when Deron Williams' extention kicks in ($13.8 mill instead of $5 mill this year) AND Boozer, Memo, and Korver can all opt out of their current deals. Even if those 3 don't opt out, the Jazz would be in the luxury tax without moves being made.
AK is one who could be moved because moving him for expiring contracts would make the salary issue moot. However, AK is a very good player to dump like that. That becomes the dilemna.

From what I can tell, Darko has 2 years left ($7 mill, $7.5 mill) and Buckner has 3 (roughly $4 mill, $4 mill, $4.3 mill) so it doesn't really resolve the driving issue for a trade--luxury tax avoidance next year.

My expectation is that the Jazz won't do anything until either the trading deadline at earliest or possibly next summer.