Gotta spend at least $26.5M this summer

[The59Sound]

Luigi, am I missing something? This seems like a non-issue since the team isn't actually required to give out contracts to meet the minimum salary, meaning there's no chance of us being forced to give out any contracts that will tie our hands later on. This is a spending threshold, not a count-against-the-cap threshold.

[hoops4life]

We had a big thread about what we would do this off season. It is probably on page 2 or 3, still.

I don't think you understand. This is not a general offseason thread. This is about a specific offseason problem: the minimum salary.

I think the minimum salary could really mess up the second contracts for Favors and Hayward, and maybe even affect Kanter and Burks.

I understand. I don't think it is an issue. The thread I was talking about addresses it. There are plenty of players that you can offer 1 year deals to or expiring contracts that can be taken on with other assets.

[Neon Black]

KOC is the one who vehemently refuses to use the term "rebuild". Dennis Lindsey seems to understand the concept, and hopefully his influence is manifested this offseason in good ways.

[Luigi]

This is the thread I think he was talking about; while the title is about getting a top pick in the draft, many of the posts give detailed accounts of how the Jazz might reach the minimum salary.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1241422[

Wait a minute. I waited until the actual off-season to start a specific summer thread about an interesting issue, and you're upset that some of you have already discussed it in a draft pick thread that turned into a general off season thread... Even if you did take exception to me starting a new, narrow thread (which makes no sense to me), you might have a different view about things now after seeing how the season ended.

I understand. I don't think it is an issue. The thread I was talking about addresses it. There are plenty of players that you can offer 1 year deals to or expiring contracts that can be taken on with other assets.

I don't think many players will accept one year deals. Didn't we just see how a similar situation affected Dallas? If your solution is simply to expect one year deals, I think we should really look at things more closely. Where better than a specific minimum salary thread?

Luigi, am I missing something? This seems like a non-issue since the team isn't actually required to give out contracts to meet the minimum salary, meaning there's no chance of us being forced to give out any contracts that will tie our hands later on. This is a spending threshold, not a count-against-the-cap threshold.

How big is the surcharge that gets redistributed if we don't make it?

[StocktonShorts]

Who is upset?

[Luigi]

Thank you for your valuable contributions to this thread.

[hoops4life]

Okay I'll play.

I don't think it is an issue.

There will be roughly $5M tied up in rookie contracts, if they go with the two.

They will sign a veteran or two both for the minimum for 2 years or so.

Take on an expiring contract or two for $8m to $20m.

Problem solved.

[erudite23]

That's the ticket.

Look for the Jazz to be auctioning off that cap space. The other potential situation I can see unfolding is a Pau Gasol deal. If the Jazz could sign and trade Millsap for a reasonable amount, and include some cheap picks (maybe a 2nd rounder or two would do it) I think LA could be persuaded to let him go just for the tax savings next year. A deal like that could save them about 30 million next year alone, plus help them get younger and Millsap is a far better fit next to Dwight than Pau is.

For the Jazz, we have Pau for one year at 19m, which would use up all the space we have to use to make the minimum threshold, and give us an incredibly diverse and talented 3 man big rotation that could compete with pretty much anything in the NBA. Turn around and use our picks and other cap space to acquire a legitimate PG who can run an NBA playoff team, add some shooters and defenders on the wings and suddenly we're looking at a team that could make noise in the West.

That is very unlikely, though. More likely is that we'll take some big contract or two off of someone's hands at some point during the season and get a pick or a young player in return. There are some teams who will be dying to get under the newer, heavier luxury tax next year. This is how we got the pick that turned into Gordon Hayward. Teams are smarter now and so its not as easy to gather picks in return for bad contracts, but its still a good bet to happen.

I would be incredibly surprised if we decided to pursue a long term vet at a high price point unless it was simply a no-brainer player, CP3 or Dwight Howard type, or if there was some sort of perfect meeting between value and need. Maybe if Jeff Teague was interested in us and he wasn't asking to much or something along those lines. But otherwise I think we make a bunch of small moves and preserve the cap space to either trade for a star or to auction off to teams looking to dump salary.

[habibadobe]

I could see the Jazz taking on Gasol. After watching this season my concern with Gasol is I am starting to think he needs to play center. So not sure how well he and Kanter can play together. The plus with Gasol is he is still the best passing big in the game so he can run the high post as needed.

As odd as it sounds I would be fine with bringing back Boozer if we could get Chicago to give Butler and maybe that protected Charlotte #1. Boozer has 2 years left so we should have all of his money before Kanter's extension starts. I think both Favors and Kanter can play center just fine.

Either way the point being to bring in a big with 2 years or less left on the deal or a new 2 year deal that can play the main offense for another year. I think Favors is not a post player but better in the pick and roll with limited post ups a game as a change of pace type thing. Kanter looks to be solid in the post but I dont think he is ready to be the focus point just yet.

For the point guard not really sold on any of the free agents out there so I could see the Jazz offering a 2 year deal to fill the gap till a long term option can be found. Was not really impressed with Mo William. Maybe Mo and Marvin can turn it around if you go to a Hayward or Burks pick and roll type game, with them spacing to the corners.

Not really gotten into the draft much yet. Would be interested and looking at how far we could move up with the 14 and 21 picks. I guess that only makes sense if you really love a guy in that 5-10 window. Not really against just taking best player and swinging on a Euro small forward or point guard and leaving 1 of them over seas for a year or two if needed.

[countrybama24]

As the self-appointed tank commander, I'd like to say PLEASE DONT SIGN ANYONE REALLY GOOD. I don't want a PG. I want Hayward and Burks to have the ball as much as possible. I want no bench outside of d-leaguers, our new rookies, a 2nd rounder etc.

No one we can add this season will be worth a top 10 pick in next years draft. Lets make our big free agent play next offseason. We'll have tons of cap again, Favors / Haywards extensions don't kick in until 2014/5, and it'll give us a shot at some really good guards.

A lot of the plans I'm seeing just scream 7th/8th seed. It's probably inevitable. But I'm still not happy about it.

Yes, lots of teams will be tanking. No, that doesn't mean its not worth it. If we don't sign anyone, we won't be deep enough outside of the core four to win more than 30-35ish games, with the potential to win as few as 25-30. That's winning time in next years lottery.

[Winglish]

Tank Commander, as a Jazz season ticket holder I don't know if I could make it through a season of losing. Those tickets cost a lot of bread and I'm not wealthy... I might be amenable to losing if the Jazz dancers came out in G-strings and pasties every night.

[bsutefan]

Rules of the rebuild:

#1 - Do not overpay for fringe all-stars...they will not win you conference title
#2 - Millsap and Jefferson are not backup players...Corbin won't allow that, and there are much more financially responsible alternatives that can fill in for 15 minutes a night (Hansbrough, Landry, the list goes on).
#3 - Do not jeopardize the future contract stability of Favors & Kanter...they are the key to this team.
#4 - Keep your young core to 4 or less players...5 max. With 2 more picks this year, and a sure top 10 pick next year, that brings the core to 7 players. At some point we will need to package some of those players with a veteran player to bring back either an upgrade in talent, or future picks.
#5 - Save enough money to hire a big time coach for the 2014-15 season.

[Catchall]

For those who are curious, we do not want Jarret Jack as our starting point guard. We want someone who can and will pass the ball. Jarret lives up to his name, Vinny Johnson style.

[StocktonShorts]

For those who are curious, we do not want Jarret Jack as our starting point guard. We want someone who can and will pass the ball.

Like Mo Williams?

[meat tray]

I'd be intrigued with signing Brandan Wright as a third big.