What are you guys looking for in the event of a AK47 trade?

[StockBroome]

How about Josh Smith for AK?

[gojazzmjsucks]

J-smoove is the only non Jazz basketball jersey i have so yes on that! I don't care if he works with Sloan or not he puts us over the top! He is a match up nightmare! and yes he plays defense!he is a walking block party!

[Wolverine]

J-smoove is the only non Jazz basketball jersey i have so yes on that! I don't care if he works with Sloan or not he puts us over the top! He is a match up nightmare! and yes he plays defense!he is a walking block party!

Sure lets get another 4

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Isn't he a terrible free throw shooter too?

[Bullet]

@Threadstarter: You got two things working against your AK for Rip proposal:

1. Jazz has said they won't actively trade AK;
2. AK says he wants to stay in Utah (after his contract expires).

Having said those, the only trade scenarios which the Jazz might consider will be for cap room or an upgrade (i.e. an all-star caliber player, or a rising star, IMO).

[pchrys3]

Would the Utah fanbase be interested in turning AK47 into Luol Deng? I wouldn't do this trade by itself, I would be interested if it's a 3 way deal involved in getting Melo to the Bulls. Something like:
Chi Out- Deng Taj Picks
Chi In- Melo

Utah Out- Ak47
Utah In- Deng, 2011 First

Den Out- Melo
Den In- Ak47, Taj Bobcats Pick, 2013 first

Thoughts?

[StocktonShorts]

I wouldn't want Luol Deng for many of the same reasons I wouldn't want Rip. He's got a long, expensive contract:

10-11: $11.3M
11-12: $12.3M
12-13: $13.4M
13-14: $14.3M

I don't think the Jazz can afford to commit that much of their cap space to Deng for the next three years.

[ComboGuardCity]

Utah wouldn't be getting a pick to take Deng.

[Soul Patch]

Utah wouldn't be getting a pick to take Deng.

They really similar players but one has a the better contract. That's why the pick would be involved.

[nyjazz]

The Jazz are not trading AK unless they either get under the cap this year or get something insanely lopsided in return, like an allstar caliber SG/SF/C. The former is unlikely and I think Memphis won't screw up twice.

[pchrys3]

I wouldn't want Luol Deng for many of the same reasons I wouldn't want Rip. He's got a long, expensive contract:

10-11: $11.3M
11-12: $12.3M
12-13: $13.4M
13-14: $14.3M

I don't think the Jazz can afford to commit that much of their cap space to Deng for the next three years.

I've heard many people say that Deng would be a perfect fit in Sloan's offense. The difference between Deng and Rip is that one is entering his prime and still expanding his game while the other has been in decline for several years already. If Melo comes to the east, Deng could be a reserve on an all-star team.

[babyjax13]

Deng is an awesome fit, but the contract is a killer if you're the Jazz.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Wow the Bulls aren't kidding about being the Jazz east are they? Would you like Sloan and Deron while your at it? I'm sure we could work something out...

[pchrys3]

He's making roughly what Okur is making. Utah is paying 18 mil for Kirilenko this year. Would 11 million for Deng be that much of an issue going forward? Does the Utah organization think highly of Hayward as the SF of the future?

[The59Sound]

He's making roughly what Okur is making. Utah is paying 18 mil for Kirilenko this year. Would 11 million for Deng be that much of an issue going forward? Does the Utah organization think highly of Hayward as the SF of the future?

We just wouldn't have any flexibility because, unlike AK, Deng's not coming off the books after this season.

As for Hayward, the organization thinks very highly of him, but it doesn't make AK expendable. In fact, it'll be a few years before Gordon really comes into his own, and AK is at a perfect stage in his career to carry the load a while longer before passing the torch to Hayward.

In the end, it wouldn't be the most ridiculous move in Jazz history or anything. Deng's a really good player, who would do well with us. But in the end, I value AK's versatility, the cap relief that comes with an expiring contract, and the many memories he's provided me with the Jazz. I feel a loyalty to him. Hope retires in a Utah uniform.