More Roster Moves Coming from Jazz
Who should join Deron in Utah?After signing Brevin Knight to be the veteran backup to Deron Williams at the point, the Jazz said that they’re done with free agent signings for the offseason. But they’re going to continue to pursue trades. With the max 15 players on the roster, the Jazz don’t have any more room for new additions unless they ship somebody off too.
“We’re done with signing probably any free agents,” O’Connor said, “but we’re certainly not done continuing to look at working our roster to improve ourselves.”
O’Connor mentioned that he has daily conversations about trades, but didn’t specify what the rumors are flying around Salt Lake.
Where do the Jazz need help the most? Should they be shopping for a defensive-minded center to replace Jarron Collins backing up Mehmet Okur? Or do they need to make a play for Josh Smith given Andrei Kirilenko’s last two down seasons?
August 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
If thay could find a way to turn AK47 and maybe a draft pick into Josh Smith they’d be scary
August 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
doc says:
They should trade D-WILL TO the Sixers for Dre Miller and Willie Green.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:35 pm
DurrtyInjun says:
Lol. Unless Utah is willing to pay max money do you really think J-Smoove will agree to a sign and trade to go there?
August 1st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
isotope says:
Looks like someone is trying to keep up with the Jones’ (Rockets)
August 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Nah this team is already solid…they just need like Camby to start and have Memo come off the bench. I say give up AK-47 to the Clips to get Camby and a first rounder.
D-will
Ronnie Brewer
Matt Harp
Boozer
Camby
August 1st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Chris S says:
Smith is just looking for more than Atlanta is willing to give. He’d go to Utah (a contender with him) for way less than max dollars.
Who in their right mind would trade D-Will, a top-3 PG already whose still really young, for Dre Miller and Green? I like Miller a ton and would love to see him play for my Hawks but come on.
Finally, I don’t think they can trade for Camby for at least two months. I think thats the rule on recently traded players. What they really need is Boozer to start playing like he can, and maybe they might have advanced.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
rob stewart says:
If they could get Camby or Dalembert type center that would be nice.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:53 pm
BlazeMcHerbs says:
Utah needs a defensive force inside
August 1st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
shake&bake says:
@Chris S- Sheed was traded within a day when he went to the Pistons. Did they put in a rule to prevent that?
Lol @ post #2
August 1st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Brown says:
@ Chris S
That rule is only for free agents. If you sign a FA, he can’t be traded until sometime in December.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
GsusX says:
I think Kirilenko’s time is up in Utah… he’s had problems with Sloan and I think that both sides would benefit from trading AK… J-smoove would be crazy with d-will throwin him lobs on the break, but i don’t see atlanta goin for that. maybe try gettin’ Crash from the bobcats. i heard rumors earlier in the FA season that he could be on the move because of not seeing eye to eye with management. they wouldnt lose any d in bringing in wallace and they would stand to gain significant offense and energy from him. only downside would be injuries
August 1st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
KenAdams says:
I like Ronnie Price as the back-up PG, he had some good games last year… Knight can be third string. While I like Collins, I think that is where they needed the most help… a good back up center. I can’t believe the kept CJ Miles! He has talent but they should’ve let him go!
August 1st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Borgs says:
A minor correction: Brevin Knight was acquired in a trade (with the Clippers for Jason Hart), not signed outright as suggested above. Knight will prove more useful to Utah than Hart could ever be.
Close observers of the Jazz and Josh Smith would realise that Smith is nothing more than a sideways step at Jazz SF. Both he and AK47 are better utilised as quick PFs. Plus, Andrei’s a better shooter from distance, and a much more rounded, mature and intelligent player. Yes, he’s a little on the expensive side, but basketball-wise, the Jazz would rather have Kirilenko.
What Kevin O’Connor has said is essentially no different to the standard answer he’s given any question from the local media pertaining to roster moves in the past couple of years. There’s no harbinger for change or dramatic move imminent, no more than there was the last time O’Connor answered similar questions, or the time before that, or before then.
The Jazz were comfortably beaten by the eventual champs in ‘07, were shaded by the Western champs in the playoffs just gone, and were one of only a couple of teams to beat the champs on their home floor last season. It’s by no means a stretch to suggest they’re good enough as constituted. It’s crazy that most ‘experts’ and fans – enamoured by the CP3 and James Posey hype machine – put the Hornets a tier above the Jazz as title contenders next season. Why? Because they ran the Spurs close – a team nowhere near the traditional threat last season thanks to Manu’s ill-being – and recently acquired an overpaid (albeit a very good) role player?!
If Kirilenko is shifted, they’ll need a perimeter stopper with an accurate long-range shot in return. Actually, a player like Posey would’ve helped the Jazz a lot more than New Orleans, where – with Mo Peterson, Peja Stojakovic and Julian Wright already on board – he could prove redundant. He’s the type the Jazz used to have before Raja Bell jumped ship and got a little old.
Nonetheless, don’t hold your breath for any major deal involving Utah.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Zach says:
How about AK47 and a 2nd rounder for Sheed? It gets AK out of town for a good big (and expiring contract)?
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:28 am
kiri says:
ak47 is not a old man,he do not will retired the next few season not like sheed will….
why sould th jazz send their star faraway for nothing?
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 am
Amar says:
AK had ‘down’ seasons because he has accepted his role to be a passer and a guy who’s the 4th or 5th option on offense. his % on shooting are all the same, his three point % was actually up to 38% last season. what other big guys like him who are rock stars in their home country and win big tournaments (and mvp awards) can swallow their pride for the team and relegate themselves to be fighting for shots with matt harpring instead of demanding to be the man?
AK is also one of the only guys on the team who can play defense. harpring just fouls people and brewer was completely abused in the playoffs. CJ and Korver can’t play defense. getting rid of AK isn’t going to help.
what would help would be to trade someone for a defensive big WHILE keeping AK on the team. a redundant piece like collins (or dare i say it, maybe boozer) could fetch a solid back-up 5 who block shots and plays good defense. (though, they don’t all grow on trees)