Are people already thinking Al Jefferson's career is done?

[horaceworthy]

Maybe Al knows he has no future with the team and just took his foot of the gas pedal, he plays less minutes lately and doesn't complain at all. When Love gets his minutes cut he's visibly upset about it.

Or maybe Al's mature enough to handle situations like that and Love's a crybaby.

All b.s. ...

More b.s. ...
1.) Love is playing for an eventual contract and Al is guarenteed. Two different worlds.
2.) Al is not happy about the rebuilding process ... the trade rumors may have stung, too.
3.) He does seem to be playing without purpose ... maybe playing not to get hurt?

If I had to choose, I'd be in the camp that Al isn't that good. Merely a #3 player on a good team ... just has too many limitations. I don't want to trade him, but we have to understand, "He may not be who we thought he was!"

Some of the stuff Love says to the press annoys me. I don't know if he's just extremely candid or a whiner that needs to man up. Couple that with last night being the first time in two weeks I felt we got an honest effort out of him on both sides of the ball and color me puzzled that so many are willing to give up on Al due to the presence of Love (who has limitations of his own to work on).

I'm fine with the notion that Al may end up just being a #3 on a good team. That's all he's shown this year. I just don't think it's set in stone, since he's 25 years old, coming off a knee injury, and adjusting to a new coach and system. I doubt this year is the best we'll see from him, but even then, he may end up being someone who needs to be dealt if we hope to contend.

[Breakdown777]

I don't think anyone believes that Al is done. This happens to every player their 1st year back after a major injury. He also has been the subject of trade rumors, which may affect performance. I think that Al will sooner or later become an all star and a top 5 PF in this league (IMO he's already top 5 offensively), it just may not be with us.

[Dewey]

I think Jefferson, Flynn, and Gomes are the 3 players with some value (skill, contract, age, etc) that have the best chance of being traded.

Jefferson = we can beat this to death, but he does not fit the current plan IMO.
Flynn = Wall and Rubio > Flynn
Gomes = Low risk player with a decent salary ... easy to trade or use as fill.

[dwill82]

I think it is way too early to be asking if he is done or not. I think he is wearing down. I think he is still attempting to rebound from his injury. I think this time next year is when you can start asking this question if he is still not doing well.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I think it is way too early to be asking if he is done or not. I think he is wearing down. I think he is still attempting to rebound from his injury. I think this time next year is when you can start asking this question if he is still not doing well.

that'd probably be the earliest I'd consider trading him unless I was bowled over with a great offer, deadline time next season.