Reclaimed projects

[Inigo Montoya]

^^ I agree that PG and wing are priorities, but I think that those players come from the draft, particularly the PG, and possibly Clarkson resigned as the SG, or a future trade for a wing if one become available (2 way wings are hard to come by).
Why don't you think Toppin would be a starter?

I see Markkanen as a PF who can play some SF. Toppin is a PF so he'll have to play behind Markkanen.

[BigJimFinn]

^^ I agree that PG and wing are priorities, but I think that those players come from the draft, particularly the PG, and possibly Clarkson resigned as the SG, or a future trade for a wing if one become available (2 way wings are hard to come by).
Why don't you think Toppin would be a starter?

I see Markkanen as a PF who can play some SF. Toppin is a PF so he'll have to play behind Markkanen.

Toppin has a problem with lateral quickness defensively, so his fit with Lauri and Walker is not great, you would see similar issues as with Olynyk currently. He can score, but he isn't good enough on offense to compromise on D in the starting five, and you have no reason to trade assets for bench guys at this point. The ideal fit for another starting forward would be a 6'7" athletic 3&D wing, AKA the most important complementary type in the league currently, which you are missing from the current roster. For example OG Anunoby you should give up plenty of assets for, if such a move became available.

[Inigo Montoya]

^^ I agree that PG and wing are priorities, but I think that those players come from the draft, particularly the PG, and possibly Clarkson resigned as the SG, or a future trade for a wing if one become available (2 way wings are hard to come by).
Why don't you think Toppin would be a starter?

I see Markkanen as a PF who can play some SF. Toppin is a PF so he'll have to play behind Markkanen.

Toppin has a problem with lateral quickness defensively, so his fit with Lauri and Walker is not great, you would see similar issues as with Olynyk currently. He can score, but he isn't good enough on offense to compromise on D in the starting five, and you have no reason to trade assets for bench guys at this point. The ideal fit for another starting forward would be a 6'7" athletic 3&D wing, AKA the most important complementary type in the league currently, which you are missing from the current roster. For example OG Anunoby you should give up plenty of assets for, if such a move became available.

100%. That's exactly what I've been saying throughout the season, and hoped we could somehow get Anunoby. We really need shot creators and a natural SF. Maybe we luck into the top-3 in the draft and then I'd be happy with any of VW, Scoot or Brandon Miller.

[SoCalJazzFan]

^^ I think that you guys are right about the preferred position for Markkanen being PF, but he has probably played more SF this year than PF. Last year too with the Cavs.

The team has a good NetRtg when Markkanen plays with both Olynyk and Kessler. In fact, Markannen with any two bigs is good as long as there is a decent guard who can stop the point of attack (the combo of Sexton and Clarkson are bad). When THT and Clarkson are with LM, KO and WK, it is a whopping +18.4, although limited to 41 mins over 7 games. Mike Conley with Clarkson and these guys in 74 mins over 11 games was +6.8. THT and Ochai with these guys (6 games, 90 mins) is another whopping +14.1. Seems very doable to substitute Olynyk for Toppin, although admittedly probably not the optimal lineup having a true PF with Markk.

That two way SF is a hard get, they don't get traded often. We might get lucky in the draft, but it might take a few years for that guy to develop or he could end up a bust, and the clock is ticking on Markkanen.

[Inigo Montoya]

That two way SF is a hard get, they don't get traded often. We might get lucky in the draft, but it might take a few years for that guy to develop or he could end up a bust, and the clock is ticking on Markkanen.

We have tons of cap space and assets to either sign a good free agent or trade for a SF. With all due respect to Toppin, he still hasn't proved anything in this league and will also require development and that will also take time. But I'd rather develop an 18 year old rookie than a 25 year old bench player.

And once again with all due respect to Toppin, he's not the caliber of player that is good enough to influence whether Markkanen stays or not. He's not slowing down the ticking clock. And if we all agree that SF is a need and we're still trying to bring in a PF to fill that role, we may as well have traded for John Collins who is a much better and proven player (I wasn't in support of that either).

BTW, one of the reasons our transition defense sucked all season long is exactly because we had two seven footers in Olynyk and Markkanen having to run the floor and they can't keep up with more traditionally sized SFs. I suppose in that respect Toppin might do better because he's very athletic but again, the fit is far from ideal. I'd prefer to just get a real SF.

[tugs]

Brantley's back

[D Rog]

That two way SF is a hard get, they don't get traded often. We might get lucky in the draft, but it might take a few years for that guy to develop or he could end up a bust, and the clock is ticking on Markkanen.

We have tons of cap space and assets to either sign a good free agent or trade for a SF. With all due respect to Toppin, he still hasn't proved anything in this league and will also require development and that will also take time. But I'd rather develop an 18 year old rookie than a 25 year old bench player.

And once again with all due respect to Toppin, he's not the caliber of player that is good enough to influence whether Markkanen stays or not. He's not slowing down the ticking clock. And if we all agree that SF is a need and we're still trying to bring in a PF to fill that role, we may as well have traded for John Collins who is a much better and proven player (I wasn't in support of that either).

BTW, one of the reasons our transition defense sucked all season long is exactly because we had two seven footers in Olynyk and Markkanen having to run the floor and they can't keep up with more traditionally sized SFs. I suppose in that respect Toppin might do better because he's very athletic but again, the fit is far from ideal. I'd prefer to just get a real SF.

Not trying to be a jerk but how many "good free agents" has Utah signed in the past 10 years? Bogey and ???
Also, what unrestricted free agents are going to be available this summer that you think may fit what the Jazz need?
Again, I am not trying to be a jerk.

[Crunch 99]

Brantley's back

I am looking forward to Brantley getting another shot.

[Inigo Montoya]

That two way SF is a hard get, they don't get traded often. We might get lucky in the draft, but it might take a few years for that guy to develop or he could end up a bust, and the clock is ticking on Markkanen.

We have tons of cap space and assets to either sign a good free agent or trade for a SF. With all due respect to Toppin, he still hasn't proved anything in this league and will also require development and that will also take time. But I'd rather develop an 18 year old rookie than a 25 year old bench player.

And once again with all due respect to Toppin, he's not the caliber of player that is good enough to influence whether Markkanen stays or not. He's not slowing down the ticking clock. And if we all agree that SF is a need and we're still trying to bring in a PF to fill that role, we may as well have traded for John Collins who is a much better and proven player (I wasn't in support of that either).

BTW, one of the reasons our transition defense sucked all season long is exactly because we had two seven footers in Olynyk and Markkanen having to run the floor and they can't keep up with more traditionally sized SFs. I suppose in that respect Toppin might do better because he's very athletic but again, the fit is far from ideal. I'd prefer to just get a real SF.

Not trying to be a jerk but how many "good free agents" has Utah signed in the past 10 years? Bogey and ???
Also, what unrestricted free agents are going to be available this summer that you think may fit what the Jazz need?
Again, I am not trying to be a jerk.

You're not being a jerk, don't worry. It's a legitimate question.

I agree that the Jazz are unlikely to sign a top free agents (i.e. star-level) but the cap space and all the assets they have could land good players and even stars in SLC. For example, we know OG Anunoby is available. Josh Hart was traded for a reasonable return, IIRC. If the Pelicans miss the playoffs or (especially) the play-in, maybe Ingram becomes available? Gary Trent Jr. has a player option that he may decline. Jerami Grant is a UFA, Justise Winslow, Cam Reddish and probably some more. Point is, there are options. What I wouldn't do is give assets for a player whose fit at SF is not ideal. Toppin is a PF and I see no reason to trade for a guy and then play him out of position. We're doing it this season with Olynyk and it's not working great.

[zero24gravity]

Brantley's back

I am looking forward to Brantley getting another shot.

He's a player I kept waiting to "get it", but just never put it together. I'm happy to see him get another shot. Sound like he was shooting well overseas, prior to signing this deal.

https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2023/3/18/23646533/utah-jazz-bring-back-jarrell-brantley-10-day-contract

[SoCalJazzFan]

Brantley's back

I am looking forward to Brantley getting another shot.

He's a player I kept waiting to "get it", but just never put it together. I'm happy to see him get another shot. Sound like he was shooting well overseas, prior to signing this deal.

https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2023/3/18/23646533/utah-jazz-bring-back-jarrell-brantley-10-day-contract

Tony Jones has mentioned several times that the Jazz are looking for positional size. Does a 6'5", 250 lb PF having a 7'1" wingspan count?

[zero24gravity]

I am looking forward to Brantley getting another shot.

He's a player I kept waiting to "get it", but just never put it together. I'm happy to see him get another shot. Sound like he was shooting well overseas, prior to signing this deal.

https://www.slcdunk.com/latest-utah-jazz-news-recent/2023/3/18/23646533/utah-jazz-bring-back-jarrell-brantley-10-day-contract

Tony Jones has mentioned several times that the Jazz are looking for positional size. Does a 6'5", 250 lb PF having a 7'1" wingspan count?

I'd say he has a unique size. His height is lacking for a "big", but as you pointed out, he has a strong wingspan + decent athleticism. Of course, it'd be nice if he were 6'7" or so, but he didn't ever really seem "small" IMO, during his first stint with he Jazz.

[bkohler]

What about Killian Hayes?

[Crunch 99]

Tony Jones has mentioned several times that the Jazz are looking for positional size. Does a 6'5", 250 lb PF having a 7'1" wingspan count?

I remembered Brantley being (or looking) taller than 6'5", but I see NBA.com, ESPN and Basketball Reference all have him listed at 6'5", whereas the team he just played for, the New Zealand Breakers, lists him at 201 cms, or 6'7". NBADRAFT.NET also lists him at 6'7".

[SoCalJazzFan]

Tony Jones has mentioned several times that the Jazz are looking for positional size. Does a 6'5", 250 lb PF having a 7'1" wingspan count?

I remembered Brantley being (or looking) taller than 6'5", but I see NBA.com, ESPN and Basketball Reference all have him listed at 6'5", whereas the team he just played for, the New Zealand Breakers, lists him at 201 cms, or 6'7". NBADRAFT.NET also lists him at 6'7".

Could be difference in shoes. Unfortunately, he didn't go to the combine the year he was drafted so those more reliable measurements are not available. It would be nice if he works out.

[Inigo Montoya]

I guess we can add Jaylen Brown to the list of potential targets.

Jaylen Brown Noncommittal On Future With Celtics
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/270872/Jaylen-Brown-Noncommittal-On-Future-With-Celtics