2022 Camp begins-The tank is on

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/research-statistics-analytics/2022/10/8/23342234/why-tanking-is-an-important-part-of-the-nba-ecosystem-offseason-rebuild[/url]

[QUOTE]Tanking is a natural process that improves the overall product of the NBA

[/QUOTE]

disagree. Having guys that belong in college or the Gleague playing instead of vets has been awful for the league. Need to get the last two NBA holdouts on the Gleague teams and have a real minor league. Young guys developing play there. Vets play in the NBA like hockey and baseball

[QUOTE]Well, first off, calm down. Second, the NBA is also a fragile ecosystem and rules and systems in place can trickle down in huge ways. Tanking always comes with a mixed bag of reactions. The mere mention of the word will get certain people to react like you just told a dirty joke they didn’t appreciate, while others agree it’s an integral part of building some NBA teams.

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and there is the Jazz who still haven't figured out how to tank

[QUOTE]With the [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com"]Utah Jazz[/URL] on a downward trend, Danny Ainge did the right thing to blow it up and reset their championship timeline. That it also happens to coincide with a chance at the best prospect we’ve seen since LeBron James, well, we’ll just pretend that’s a coincidence.

[/QUOTE]

he thinks 2024 is even better. I'd say that is the main motivation behind this not the core reaching their ceiling. Hard for me to say trading a statue is the right thing though. They come around every 10 years in Utah.

[QUOTE]And the Jazz aren’t finished. During the season other championship contenders will look to make a move to improve their odds and you can bet the Jazz will be one of the teams they’ll call to get better. One of the contenders out there will want someone like Malik Beasley or Jordan Clarkson to improve on one of their positions or fill a hole from injury, it’s only a matter of time. This makes for a better playoff product where the best possible version of each team will be on the floor competing.

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the idea that Clarkson can make you better is hilarious! I'd rather have Exum

[QUOTE]What getting rid of tanking will do is remove a lot of hope and publicity to the smaller market teams. Imagine hearing all the rumors for years about Donovan Mitchell to New York and knowing that keeping him was your only option. How awful would that be!?! With the moves this offseason, the Jazz gave their team a chance at a championship because the only way to get that is by having 1-2 MVP/1st-team all-NBA caliber players. Danny Ainge took control of the Jazz’s future and provided Jazz fans with hope again. If they’re successful, the Jazz will have a chance at drafting a player they’d never have a chance of getting otherwise. Remember, every great player they’ve had has been in the draft. Whether it was John Stockton, Karl Malone, Andrei Kirilenko, Deron Williams, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and then hopefully Victor Wembanyama. The draft is the only way the Jazz get their stars and so the strategy should always be to use the draft to get those players.

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Maravich, Dantley...

[QUOTE]If you take that away from the Jazz, you’re telling Jazz fans they should give up ALL hope at a potential title because there’s zero way they’re getting those players in any other way. Sure, the Jazz have made trades for nice complimentary stars like Hornacek and Conley, but those moves were made after the stars were already drafted.

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you mean all star Conley or all star Okur(not that he should have been)?

[QUOTE]Tanking makes smaller market teams more relevant and makes them an important part of an evolving NBA ecosystem.

[/QUOTE]

you took a statue away from Gobert and me so why not?

[QUOTE]I don’t know if Adam Silver agrees with this, but he has to see some of these benefits. As long as there’s a draft there will always be some form of tanking, especially in a game and league where winning is so dependent on having 1-2 stars on your team. Flattening the lottery odds has definitely helped, but it’s still there as it should be.

[/QUOTE]

they can eliminate tanking if they want. Have everyone in the lottery same odds. Have the first pick rotate every year so every team gets it every 30 years...

[QUOTE]Regardless, all of this stuff is actually fun and should be embraced. Whether your team makes the big trade, signs that big free agent, or wins the lottery, those are all parts of fandom and are part of the NBA ecosystem. Trying to remove that one element can have more negative side effects than the NBA probably realizes.

[/QUOTE]

i get it but embracing trying to lose should never be encouraged

Tony Jones: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]The Utah Jazz are waiving guard Saben Lee,[/URL] League Sources tell myself and @Shams Charania
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/Tjonesonthenba"]Twitter Tjonesonthenba[/URL]

Mark Medina: Timberwolves will play Karl-Anthony Towns tonight vs Clippers. Rudy Gobert will sit out.
– via Twitter MarkG_Medina

[url]https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/268917/Jazz-To-Waive-Saben-Lee[/url]

In 85 games with Detroit over two seasons, Lee averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 assists in 16.3 minutes per game. Utah will have $1.7 million in dead money on their cap sheet for this season, unless Lee is claimed off waivers by another team.

Sarah Todd: The [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Jazz have waived Saben Lee[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/NBASarah"]Twitter NBASarah[/URL]

[URL]https://kslsports.com/494021/jazz-waive-saben-lee-will-sign-micah-potter/[/URL]

[QUOTE]Lee, a point guard entering his third season was coming off a difficult second year in which he averaged 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.

[/QUOTE]

he dominated the Gleague. That shows me he's a fringe NBA player at least. Got hops and length. Sucks to see anyone cut when Clarkson and Gay are still around

[QUOTE]Lee’s $1.7 million contract was set to expire next summer but has a team option for the 2023-24 season. The Pistons sent the Jazz $1.7 million in the trade to cover his salary.

[/QUOTE]

looks like he was a likely cut from the time they got him. Anyone with an expiring contract and little trade value is on the bubble. Zeller and who will be next?

[QUOTE]The Jazz also announced it had signed Darryl Morsell who will be waived and joining the Salt Lake City Stars.

[/QUOTE]

6'5" guard who defends

[QUOTE]Earlier this month Potter was signed and waived by the Pistons in order to join their G League affiliate the Motor City Cruise, but agreed to the two-way deal with the Jazz before the beginning of training camp.

[/QUOTE]

guess they get something from Detroit afterall

The Utah [URL="https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/268921/Jazz-Sign-Darryl-Morsell"]Jazz have signed guard Darryl Morsell.[/URL] It’s expected that Morsell signed a non-guaranteed training camp contract. The 6-foot-5 Morsell went undrafted out of Marquette at the 2022 NBA Draft. Morsell was a four-year starter for Maryland before transferring to Marquette for his senior season. As a senior, Morsell averaged 13.4 points and 1.2 steals per game.

– via [URL="https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/268921/Jazz-Sign-Darryl-Morsell"]RealGM[/URL]

What’s your expectation on how long the integration process will take with KAT, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell? Rudy Gobert: Every night will be an opportunity for us to get better. Basketball is not a perfect science. There is never perfection. But if you can play for each other and compete for each other every single minute on the court, we’re going to get better and better. [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]Our goal obviously is to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference, then get to the Finals and play for a championship[/URL].

– via [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]Mark Medina @ NBA.com[/URL]





Once you start playing with Towns, what do you think the chemistry will be? Rudy Gobert: [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]It’s going to be fun. We both understand the game really well and we both know how we’re going to make each other better on defense and on offense. We’re going to learn every single day and every single minute on the court. That’s part of the fun with enjoying your team, enjoying your teammates and learning how to make each other better[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]Mark Medina @ NBA.com[/URL]







What has it been like mentoring Victor Wembanyama? Rudy Gobert: [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]It’s been great. I’ve known Victor since he was 13 years old. He’s a great kid. He’s very wise. Obviously, he has all the tools. But what makes him special is his mindset and his spirit. He’s passionate about the game. He wants to be great, and he knows what it takes to be great. He’s putting all of that together and working really hard to get to that level.[/URL] It’s been really cool to watch him grow.
– via [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]Mark Medina @ NBA.com[/URL]






When did you realize he would be a special player? Rudy Gobert: The first time I watched him play. We all knew he would be special. But the real question was how far and how special? These last few days, we can all agree that he’s going to be something unique. [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]As soon as I got to speak with him and understand his mindset, I knew he would be great. He has all of the tools, but the mentality is the most important tool. He has that[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.nba.com/news/qa-rudy-gobert-wolves-welcome"]Mark Medina @ NBA.com[/URL]

[URL="https://*********.com/lists/international-transactions-log-where-are-former-nba-players-going/"]Former Hornets player Treveon Graham signed with G League team Long Island Nets[/URL] for the 2022-23 season.

– via [URL="https://*********.com/lists/international-transactions-log-where-are-former-nba-players-going/"]Alberto De Roa @ *********[/URL]

[URL="https://*********.com/lists/international-transactions-log-where-are-former-nba-players-going/"]Former Suns player Paris Bass signed with G League team Salt Lake City Stars[/URL] for the 2022-23 season.
– via [URL="https://*********.com/lists/international-transactions-log-where-are-former-nba-players-going/"]Alberto De Roa @ *********[/URL]

Ben Anderson: Kelly Olynyk shared what it’s like to still play with John Stockton at Sunday pickup games in Spokane. [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]“He’s damn near the best player out there every single possession.”[/URL] #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/9AyzjnkYNr
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/BensHoops"]Twitter BensHoops[/URL]

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You;14668664]who knows. First you have to find a guy to build around and actually build around him unlike what they did when Gobert emerged and they continued to try and tank and never really built around him. Same with Millsap before him. You'd like to think Ainge can work his magic again but than we have reports that the owner won't trade Clarkson! Let Ainge do his job and sign the checks![/QUOTE]

I think of Ainge, that I feel you will get a good team

[QUOTE=Lee;14669199]I think of Ainge, that I feel you will get a good team[/QUOTE]

I'd think so but if the rumors are true about the owner insisting on keeping the bum Clarkson I wouldn't bet on it. Owners that don't let front offices do their job are a problem

Sarah Todd: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Malik Beasley (left ankle sprain) will not play in the Jazz’s preseason game tomorrow[/URL]. Udoka Azubuike also remains sidelined.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/NBASarah"]Twitter NBASarah[/URL]

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You;14669245]I'd think so but if the rumors are true about the owner insisting on keeping the bum Clarkson I wouldn't bet on it. Owners that don't let front offices do their job are a problem[/QUOTE]

Yeh if Clarkson trade available,pull the trigger

[QUOTE=Lee;14669283]Yeh if Clarkson trade available,pull the trigger[/QUOTE]

supposedly they have trades for him and Beasley. I'm ok keeping Beasley as a young vet for the time being. Someone will want Conley eventually. He's easily their best player

[QUOTE]Keith Pompey: #Sixers coach [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Doc Rivers on Danuel House Jr.: “I love him. I love his spirit before he gets on the court. I love his talk. He’s one of the other guys that talks a lot[/URL]. “But he shoots the ball. He’s just playing very, very smart basketball.”
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/PompeyOnSixers"]Twitter PompeyOnSixers[/URL][/QUOTE]

he was great last year for the Jazz

[URL]https://www.ksl.com/article/50492643/why-jared-butler-has-hope-for-a-strong-2nd-season--if-he-can-get-there[/URL]

[QUOTE]So far, Butler hasn't been part of coach Will Hardy's rotation, but with so many players at relatively the same skill level, that may change quickly.

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trades of Conley and Clarkson is what they need but that might bring back more competition

[QUOTE]Some of his issues can be explained away by inconsistent minutes on a veteran-laden team. That, however, doesn't clarify his Summer League showing when he struggled to create separation and run Utah's offense against players that, for the most part, won't be playing in the league this season.

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he ran the offense great. He's had a problem with scoring. Looks really small. He needs a higher release on his shot which I saw when they drafted him. He had his moments last year

[QUOTE]The good news for Butler is that many players have taken the next step when they realized something similar. Only a few NBA players excel at everything across the board; the rest survive in the league by being really good in a couple areas — or even a singular area.

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who excels at everything?

[QUOTE]"He's real talented, can shoot the ball, has great change of pace," Olynyk said. "Just trying to be able to kind of transition into a solid point guard. I don't know his back story or how point guard dominant he was when he was growing up or in college, but I think he can be really successful in this league.

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he's definitely a pg, Only Conley can run the offense better

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50492688/slc-stars-to-play-at-maverik-center-this-season[/url]

interesting. I think they had plenty of seats at the old venue. Guess they'll just seat the lower bowl?

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2022/10/10/23398031/utah-jazz-injury-report-malik-beasley-and-udoka-azubuike-both-out-for-preseason-matchup-with-spurs[/url]

[QUOTE]And that’s going to be one of the storylines this season. How much are the young players going to be able to get on the floor. Agbaji is a promising prospect but he needs to time on the floor. Will that happen soon? Or will he have to earn it over the season? We’ll see as things go on.

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looks like he will have to earn it which I love. He will soon get on the floor with the Stars while they wait to dump Conley and Clarkson hopefully

[url]https://fansided.com/betsided/posts/rudy-gobert-bam-adebayo-lead-opening-nba-defensive-player-year-odds-2022-23-season[/url]

Gobert the heavy favorite

[url]https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/268929/Nets-Hire-Jeff-Bower-As-Scout[/url]

was also one of many guys with the Jazz front office

Tom Orsborn: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Josh Richardson did not travel to Utah after suffering a minor knee injury on Sunday vs. New Orleans. Also, the charge Zach Collins drew against Zion Williamson is what landed him in the league’s concussion protocols[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tom_orsborn"]Twitter tom_orsborn[/URL]

How are you feeling fatigue-wise now that you’re about three weeks removed from EuroBasket? Doncic: I’m good. I had about a week off after the EuroBasket, but I’m good. I was sleeping a lot, [rejuvenated], so I’m good to go. Was it tough to stay patient as you eased back into the NBA grind? Doncic: I mean, I did everything. Just not the first day, and I didn’t play in Tulsa, but other than that I did everything. Think you’ll play Friday in the preseason finale in Utah then? [URL="https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2022/10/11/luka-doncic-qa-mvp-outlook-tougher-west-playoff-picture-and-year-2-with-jason-kidd/"]Doncic: Yeah. [pause, smiling] Probably[/URL].
– via [URL="https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2022/10/11/luka-doncic-qa-mvp-outlook-tougher-west-playoff-picture-and-year-2-with-jason-kidd/"]Callie Caplan @ Dallas Morning News[/URL]

Duane Rankin: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]#Suns sign free agent guards Adonis Arms, Saben Lee and waived Frank Jackson[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin"]Twitter DuaneRankin[/URL]

As the regular season approaches, House Jr. opened up on his role with the team and he discussed what he is expected to do out on the floor. [URL="https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/10/11/danuel-house-jr-discusses-his-role-with-sixers-winning-is-high-priority/"]“My role is just to be energy,” he told reporters in Cleveland. “Be the guy to make stuff happen. Make plays happen, make a shot, knock down a shot, get a rebound, pass the ball, set the play up, run the play, set the screen, whatever the team needs pretty much.[/URL] I’m just here to give away myself. Like I said earlier, I’m not really worried about accolades. As long as we win, I feel like that’s my biggest accolade.”
– via [URL="https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/10/11/danuel-house-jr-discusses-his-role-with-sixers-winning-is-high-priority/"]Ky Carlin @ Sixers Wire[/URL]

In recent transaction cycles, Phoenix has explored adding greater ball-handling depth behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker. [URL="https://sports.yahoo.com/the-suns-curious-handling-of-jae-crowder-creates-more-questions-than-answers-135459778.html"]And Jordan Clarkson, one of the many veterans thought to be available in Utah, is one dynamic guard the Suns have inquired about landing in exchange for Crowder, sources said.[/URL] Would Phoenix be willing to attach draft capital in that scenario? That outcome would seem to result in Crowder securing a buyout from Utah, and then his pick of destination, albeit at an unknown salary.
– via [URL="https://sports.yahoo.com/the-suns-curious-handling-of-jae-crowder-creates-more-questions-than-answers-135459778.html"]Jake Fischer @ Yahoo! Sports[/URL]

Gerald Bourguet: The [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Suns have officially signed Adonis Arms and Saben Lee after waiving Frank Jackson[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/GeraldBourguet"]Twitter GeraldBourguet[/URL]

Andy Larsen: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]The Jazz (finally) officially signed Micah Potter to a two/way contract, the team announced. Also, they waived Jeenathan Williams.[/URL] Go flourish in West Valley, Jeenathan.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen"]Twitter andyblarsen[/URL]

Omari Sanfoka II: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Bojan Bogdanovic practiced today, Dwane Casey said[/URL]
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/omarisankofa"]Twitter omarisankofa[/URL]

Andy Larsen: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]The SLC Stars named former Boston Celtics assistant Scott Morrison their head coach today. Marquis Newman is now the team’s GM[/URL].
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/andyblarsen"]Twitter andyblarsen[/URL]

[url]https://kslsports.com/494109/jared-butler-shines-in-jazz-loss/[/url]

[QUOTE]The Jazz aren’t designed to be good. The goal for the team this season is to find which of the 15 players on the final roster are worth investing in long term, while also losing games to better their odds of landing a top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

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Not 15. Most of them won't be on the team after Danny's draft picks start joining. Looking for the ones that will be here then

[url]https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/268964/Finch-Connelly-Wolves-Couldnt-Afford-Not-To-Trade-For-Rudy-Gobert[/url]

they likely win that trade. Kessler has looked good so far though

[URL]http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2kkkmw7l[/URL]

Clarkson for Crowder doesn't work straight across

Dave McMenamin: Wolves coach Chris Finch says that Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns will be out tonight against the Lakers.
– via Twitter mcten

Dane Moore: Chris Finch said he feels the best way to grow the chemistry around a two-big lineup is to get the two bigs on the same page and then have the surrounding players build off that. Finch was in Denver with Jokic and Nurkic and in New Orleans with Davis and Cousins. Same process.
– via Twitter DaneMooreNBA

[url]https://kslsports.com/494130/stars-scott-morrison-promote-gm/[/url]

[QUOTE]Prior to his time in Boston, Morrison was the head coach of the Celtics’ NBA G League affiliate the Maine Red Claws between 2014-17. The coach lead Maine to a 35-15 record and won the Dennis Johnson G League Coach of the Year Award in his first season.

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Expecting big things. Looks like at least one lottery pick will be playing for them

[url]https://saltcityhoops.com/active-october-as-jazz-weigh-decisions/[/url]

[QUOTE]That leaves an unlucky foursome of young guys fighting for two roster spots: the Jazz can likely only keep two of Udoka Azubuike, Leandro Bolmaro, Jared Butler and Stanley Johnson. All four appear to be outside the main rotation as of today, and all four have no financial guarantees beyond this season. Each one makes between $1.5 and 2.5 million, making them the lowest-paid Jazzmen with guaranteed salaries. For all those reasons, it’s extremely likely the final two cuts come from that group. (The Jazz will also likely cut Zeller, a move which won’t cost them anything on the cap sheet.)

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I'd guess Johnson and Bolmaro who I'd hate to see go. Can't see them cutting Udoka unless they think his ankle will never be good. Zeller is better than Olynyk sadly

[QUOTE]Bolmaro and Butler are both guards trying to lock up spots on an already guard-heavy roster, so it seems unlikely that both of them will survive final cuts. Each guy has arguments in favor: Butler has more innate scoring ability and was an in-house draft project who has been in the Jazz’s program for a year; Bolmaro is bigger, possesses some more tradiitonal point guard skills, and is a first-round talent. Ultimately, neither guy has established himself as a rotational player — both stayed under the 400 minute mark as rookies. Both were inefficient shooters, but Butler’s per-shot efficiency was closer to respectable territory, and he passed the ball better. Bolmaro rebounded better and showed a bit more defensive ability — unsurprising on both counts given his 6-foot-6 frame.

[/QUOTE]

Butler has struggled to score. He can run the team and plays D though. Bolmaro does it all except shoot well

[QUOTE]Johnson is the closest thing to an established NBA player in this quartet, and I’ve heard that he has been great influence in training camp. But he arrived in Utah mostly as salary ballast in a summer trade, and the Jazz are already swimming in guys who are 6’6″ and under. He’s a non-shooter, non-passer and non-ballhandler, all skill sets that you ideally want in your wings in a modern offense. He has generally been a plus defender throughout his career and he plays with energy, but it’s not clear where he’d find minutes.

[/QUOTE]

he's ideally an end of the bench energy guy

[QUOTE]Dok can at least be slotted as a third-string center. He has struggled to stay healthy, but had some success in a winter stretch where injuries opened the door for him: he average 10 & 8 over a 6-game stretch in February, on 77% shooting.

[/QUOTE]

if he's healthy and on the team he will play. Kessler might get sent to the Stars until they figure it out

[QUOTE](No, they’re not going to waive Rudy Gay, who is owed salary next season. Also no on the idea that’s been picking up social media steam that they might cut Simone Fontecchio. Just… no.)

[/QUOTE]

they're tanking. If they don't see him having trade value eat it now

[QUOTE]The reality here: it’s highly likely this decision won’t matter much in the long run. Whoever the Jazz hang onto for now could eventually be cut for roster flexibility or could lose his job later as Utah adds talent via the grundle of draft picks they own. It still behooves them to factor in which guys have a better chance of “hitting” and offering some value to their rebuild, which is why my guess is they keep the less redundant Bolmaro and Dok for now.

[/QUOTE]

it probably won't matter in the long run but still sad when Clarkson and Gay are still here

[QUOTE]A [URL="https://twitter.com/davidjsmith1232/status/1580201549225000960?s=20&t=8BBL7eNiZqnBb8YQHL5fMA"]Jordan Clarkson-to-Phoenix rumor[/URL] surfaced on Wednesday, but honestly, it feels like Phoenix is one of those teams that could actually use a productive version of Gay. He’d play the exact role/position that Crowder vacated in the rotation, and he’d be $18-19 million cheaper than Crowder when factoring in luxury tax costs. A construct where Phoenix gets Gay, a team like Memphis or Atlanta gets Crowder, and the Jazz wind up with a contract they could cut and a small asset doesn’t seem all that crazy. (My theory is that the Jazz would probably consider cutting Gay if not for the $6.5M player option for next season, so trading his two years for even a slightly larger 1-year salary they could cut actually makes some sense.) Of course, that’s all very contingent on whether the Suns believe Gay can access his pre-Utah performance level.

[/QUOTE]

Suns don't want Crowder on Memphis. Gay is risky for Suns. Clarkson still on Jazz :cry:

[QUOTE]Even a direct Gay-Dario Saric swap would save the Suns $14 to $15 million without too much basketball cost, and they haven’t really been using Saric. But again, it’s unclear whether Phoenix has any interest whatsoever in Gay, who struggled last season.

[/QUOTE]

had his moments. Finished the last 6 games playing well I thought

[QUOTE]And then there’s the Laker stuff. Los Angeles would still likely be open to surrendering a single unprotected pick to get off of Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract, but supposedly doesn’t have interest in Mike Conley, whose contract could hurt their 2023 cap flexibility. The Jazz would almost need to include Conley in a Westbrook swap, but maybe there is a team out there who could use Conley and would flip an expiring to L.A. Washington addressed its point guard need by adding two floor generals, but neither is a solid starter type. Would they send Will Barton to Hollywood in order to upgrade their playmaking? Dallas still seems like a team that needs another offensive creator, but it looks like they may instead talk themselves into the [URL="https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1484747209635553284?s=20&t=8BBL7eNiZqnBb8YQHL5fMA"]unspectacular[/URL] Facundo Campazzo. Chicago makes some sense as a Conley spot with Lonzo Ball’s injury, but they have few tradable contracts in that range.

[/QUOTE]

I like Campazzo but someone needs Conley. Can still ball

[QUOTE]Up to six guys can be acquired by each G League team in this manner, and the SLC Stars can already claim affiliate player rights to Paris Bass, Jeenathan Williams and Darryl Morsell because of their brief Jazz contracts. It was reported earlier this summer that Kofi Cockburn would get similar treatment, and then the Jazz/Stars can still perform that operation up to two more times.

[/QUOTE]

I thought there were some others in the summer

[QUOTE]Expect them to sign (and then waive) Cockburn and potentially a couple of other G League-bound prospects in the next few days. But since they’re currently at 20 roster spots, they’ll first need to waive Zeller or make one of the cuts/trades we speculated about up top.

[/QUOTE]

been wondering if Zeller is going to play with the Stars until an NBA team comes calling

[QUOTE]
If the Jazz decline those options and then one of Azubuike/Bolmaro pop this upcoming season, they’ll still have free agent rights that enable them to re-sign them next summer, but they will be unrestricted free agents at that point.


This month — October 18, to be exact — also brings the deadline for players entering the fourth season of their rookie scale contract to agree to an extension. The only player the Jazz have in that situation is Alexander-Walker, and it’s unlikely he gets an extension given that the Jazz value flexibility as they rebuild. They can still make the Canadian guard a restricted free agent next summer if they choose to.

[/QUOTE]

I doubt anyone gets an extension. Most of these guys won't be on the team once the tank is over

Josh Lewenberg: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Nick Nurse anticipates Juancho Hernangomez being part of the rotation, especially early in the season with Porter and Boucher banged up.[/URL] Nurse says they’ve been managing his minutes in preseason after his busy summer but need his shooting with the second unit.
– via [URL="https://twitter.com/JLew1050"]Twitter JLew1050[/URL]

[QUOTE] They believe Gobert isn’t just a championship-level acquisition but that he provides an injection of rocket fuel to the rest of their team, particularly their other star players. [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/34775510/the-trade-left-nba-stunned-skeptical-why-wolves-went-all-rudy-gobert"]“We put up the 30 best players in the league on a board,” said Wolves coach Chris Finch, broadly gesturing with his hands as he described meetings when the deal was first seriously contemplated[/URL]. “At any given time, like there’s maybe three or four of them available. Some aren’t even available if you gave 10 picks. And if you have one you can get and he fits and does a lot of the things that we like — the more that we looked at it and the deeper we went, like just the more we felt like we couldn’t not [trade for him].”

– via [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/34775510/the-trade-left-nba-stunned-skeptical-why-wolves-went-all-rudy-gobert"]Brian Windhorst @ ESPN[/URL]





The general idea was to keep Towns and Edwards together all the time — they were the heart of an offense developed last season that was No. 1 in the league after Jan. 1 — and then have Gobert and Russell out there together as much as possible, ensuring 48 minutes of firepower if the groups were staggered correctly. [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/34775510/the-trade-left-nba-stunned-skeptical-why-wolves-went-all-rudy-gobert"]The Wolves, however, ranked 16th on defense in that span, and in their playoff loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, rebounding was a major thorn. In narrow losses in Games 5 and 6, the Wolves were outrebounded by a combined 28 boards. Gobert led the NBA in rebounding last season[/URL]. As the hours passed and the Wolves mulled this move, they fell more and more in love.

– via [URL="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/34775510/the-trade-left-nba-stunned-skeptical-why-wolves-went-all-rudy-gobert"]Brian Windhorst @ ESPN[/URL]


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goes from the #1 offense last season to the #1 offense after the Jazz injuries started to come. I thought they were 10th in D last year? Must've been great the 1st half?

[QUOTE] Eric Walden: [URL="https://*********.com/social/"]Malik Beasley (left ankle sprain) did not practice for the Jazz today.[/URL] Udoka Azubuike (ankle surgery) was a full participant in practice.

– via [URL="https://twitter.com/tribjazz"]Twitter tribjazz[/URL]

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Dok is back!