“I’ve been told [Utah Jazz] will listen on anyone on the roster…With [Lauri] Markkanen, he’s not untouchable but it’s going to take one of your untouchables to get him”👀
(Via https://t.co/PpbzvkbkEB / h/t @BasketballOnX ) pic.twitter.com/9Hrb3JjzeZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 12, 2024
Tim Macmahon says the Jazz will listen to trade talks on anyone in the roster. Obviously “listening” and “making calls” are significantly different, but this was not what I expected to read today. I thought the desire to convey our pick to the Thunder this year was a strong enough motive that we would want to stand pat on deals this year. Danny Ainge continues to appear interested in the long-game, which I appreciate.
by Available_Remove242
11 Comments
The long game is the right way. We’re on a great hot streak right now but you need to always know what you have and sell high. We don’t have a championship team with this current roster. That should always be our goal, not 4-5 seed, not fringe playoff team.
A lot of people here seem to want to convey our pick to the Thunder this year. I disagree. Here’s why:
1. This year is our best shot at a top 10 pick. Next year our young core will be even better and the Jazz can’t afford another bad season.
2. A top 10 in this draft is much better than an 18th pick in next year’s draft. Let’s give OKC that pick.
3. We need to build young talent now, not later, especially if Lauri will be central to our core.
I doubt more than 2 real firsts will be traded this trade deadline across the league. If we can somehow get a semi-real first for either JCs (rather not Clarkson, but he is having an amazing year and would be a great sell high option), THT, or KO, we should look at it. I’m assuming we stand pretty pat though
Personally I’d rather we keep George, Lauri and Kessler but I trust in Danny
Based on the OG Anunoby trade, doesn’t seem like a great trade market this year. The Lakers look like the only team needing to acquire help and they don’t have much to offer. On the flip side, lots of teams looking to unload.. Atlanta, Toronto, Warriors, Chicago..
The one team that intrigues me as a trade partner for the Jazz is Memphis. They have no reason to try this season now that Ja is out. I wonder if JJJ would be available..?
I know a lot of you want to convey the pick to OKC this year, but that’s only going to extend the rebuild by a year. Just rip the bandaid off. There’s always good talent in every draft. This team as currently constructed isn’t going anywhere that Mitchell + Gobert didn’t already go. And don’t come at me with “wE cAn TrAdE FoR a sTaR” – OKC can top any offer the Jazz can make and you better believe they will if it means they have a chance at being the next super team
I assume the Jazz are currently fielding all calls but may be making less calls due to the current hot streak.
I am not sure what the FO plan is this season but it seems like they have wanted to avoid tanking. So they might be inspired to keep this squad together to see how far they can take it, and then sell hard during the off season
Ainge would listen to trade offers for his own mother
Just remember guys:
> Saying that you’ll listen to calls regarding trading a player
> Actively wanting to trade a player
These are two VERY different things.
Ainge is tempting Presti or Langdan to overpay for Lauri. Realistically, only 3-4 teams have the assets Ainge would be looking for in a Lauri offer
I think there’s little chance KO is still on the team past the deadline. Could see Simone (unless they have a tentative deal for him to come back) and Clarkson going too.
Nobody wants THT guys. Maybe he’s matching salary, but I don’t know if we’re still in the stage of taking on long-term terrible contacts.
In my opinion, playing the long game and making the play-ins this year are not mutually exclusive. In fact, I think if they view Lauri as the cornerstone (they should), then you want him to get experience in that atmosphere. The jazz have a boatload of picks coming up and they’ll end up using them to fortify the roster.
For instance, if the Jazz can make tweaks to the roster and maybe get a young 3&D wing in process, that seems like a no brainer to me. A starting lineup of Dunn, Sexton, 3&D wing, Lauri, and Kessler with JC off the bench could compete at low levels in the playoffs. That being said, finding a realistic trade partner could be difficult because it seems like a lot of the talked about buyers are lacking real assets that Ainge would want.
All in all, I’d like to see a play-in push and maybe roster tweaks to better suit a playoff built team (obviously, roster building takes time but they’re on the right track).