Now Sheridian is saying we are trading burks for Ridnour

[Amish Mafioso]

You guys would be lucky to get Ridnour.

No doubt. Luke would definately put us over the hump of getting easily swept in the first round, to almost winning one game but still swept.

It's time for us to take the next step.

[Ruckusmh]

I'd be happy to give Minnesota a 2037 protected 2nd rounder and the corpse of Raja Bell for Ridnour. Trading any asset for a mediocre career backup PG isn't happening.

[DelaneyRudd]

He's nit mediocre. He's worth a very protected first provided they take Bells salary.

[StocktonShorts]

He's nit mediocre. He's worth a very protected first provided they take Bells salary.

He's boasting a PER of 13.7. 15.0 is average by definition.

Unless you're going to claim he's a defensive stopper whose true worth isn't reflected in PER then I think calling him "mediocre" is more than fair.

[AK47MVP]

Jazz never do stupid trades. Thus it is not going to happen. Unless Wolves would throw in lottery pick they are about to get...

[Soul Patch]

Sometimes I feel dumber after coming on Realgm.

Me too but I assumed it was my drugs kicking in.

[StocktonShorts]

This trade idea is looking pretty awesome right now.

And by awesome I mean really stupid.

[RyanStorm]

This trade idea is looking pretty awesome right now.

And by awesome I mean really stupid.

I thought all awesome sounding trades were actually terrible ideas???

Any guy who gets an offer and decides on the spot is an idiot. I mean there is so many variables and it takes a group of guys to do the math and "guessing" on what they feel will work for their club. I could say yay or nay on the spot, but I wouldn't know what I am talking about. There is a science to it, but who is to say that this dude will play better on this team or that team.

Its not like were talking LeBron who will plays great on any team. Burks Works...so why mess with success. Ridnour, I can't even rhyme with his name, which isn't a good sign. He was hot on Twovles versus us, but could he do that everyday on this team? I don't know if I would have him instead of burks or tins or watson..

[shrink]

I think Burks is out of the question, but the lesser of the UTA or GSW pick + Raja Bell makes sense to me.

First, moving Raja Bell has value to the Jazz. Money matters in UTA (something I admire about your front office), and paying Raja Bell to sit on his couch and eat doughnuts has to be frustrating to your GM. Since he won't accept a buy-out, he gets the full, pro-rated amount of the remaining contract (about $1.8 mil). In addition, Raja Bell takes up a roster spot on your club, that limits your trade moves, and limits your coach's ability to be flexible.

Second, Luke Ridnour is not a starter, but he's a pretty good back-up PG, and he has plenty of experience starting. He's not going to win games for you as a PG, but he's not going to lose them either. He contributes enough offensively and by making vet decisions to help your other four guys win games. Personally, I do not think UTA is a lock to make the play-offs, counting on inexperienced or under-talented players to guide the team down the stretch run. If Ridnour increases your chances to make the play-offs this year, that has value.

The best part about Luke in UTA though is that he's a good fit next year, for three reasons. Obviously, the goal of the Jazz is to get a star PG, and Ridnour is not that. However, he is very professional about sliding back into the back-up spot when you get that guy. Moreover, his contract is a perfect fit - cheaper than what he's worth ($4.2), and it expires after one year, to provide an orderly transition, particularly if your new starting PG is young. Luke is a professional, and mentoring Rubio was one of the main reasons he was brought to MIN.

Finally, I think the price is very reasonable for UTA too. We're looking at a pick that will probably end up around 22. While, there are exceptions, in this range a team hopes for a back-up that can be a rotation player, and many times those guys never even become that - simply a 2-year guaranteed salary. Here are the last ten players selected with the #20 pick:

Kareem Rush
Dahntay Jones
Jameer Nelson
Julius Hodge
Renaldo Balkman
Jason Smith
Alexis Ajinca
Eric Maynor
James Anderson
Donatas Motiejunas
Evan Fournier

.. and next year's draft is predicted to be weaker than average.

This, you move Bell's salary and reclaim his roster spot, replacing him with a player that can help the Jazz seems like a good deal to me.

[Soul Patch]

I think Ridnour would do well on the Jazz. I wouldn't give up Burks but I understand our front office being interested.

[zronv7]

terrible, I would say make Burks untouchable. Srs, the dude is 6-6, in top condition and is your prototype 2 guard. Just raw atm.