The sure to be epic 2013 Jazz off-season!

Jason Quick: Blazers have signed Earl Watson Twitter @jwquick

Sam Amick: Watson will go on a one-year, $1.4 million deal to join the Blazers. Twitter @sam_amick

Jason Quick: Earl Watson said he chose Portland because of his relationship with GM Olshey, who he has known since he was 17 Twitter @jwquick

Jason Quick: "I want to mentor one of the best point guards in the league in Lillard ... and CJ too. Make them better on and off the court,'' Earl Watson Twitter @jwquick

Jason Quick: Watson, who turned 34 last month, said he played most of last year with a sports hernia, which he didn't realize until the end of the season Twitter @jwquick

Earl Watson: Thank you to coach Sloan, KOC, Dennis Lindsey, Corbin & the Miller family! As well as the amazing fans! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Twitter @Earl_Watsonmore at

[QUOTE]As this summer

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: Raul Neto is in Orlando awaiting FIBA clearance to be able to participate in summer league, according to a source. He's been observing Jazz. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: If Raul Neto is cleared to play this week, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be with the Jazz this upcoming season. Twitter @DJJazzyJody
[/QUOTE]

Where's Tomic!

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: Still no official word on Raul Neto's status. He is awaiting FIBA clearance to play in summer league. Doesn't appear he'll play today. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Point guard Raul Neto is setting near the end of the Jazz bench. He's not wearing a uniform but is cheering his American team on. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Jazz still haven't announced Brad Jones is a full-time assistant, but he's standing with Tyrone Corbin, Sidney Lowe and Michael Sanders. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Hall of Fame coach/senior basketball adviser Jerry Sloan is sitting behind the Utah Jazz's bench here at the Orlando Pro Summer League. Twitter @DJJazzyJody[/QUOTE]

Impressed by Gobert. Burke not so much. Burks sprained ankle out for the rest of the game. Evans hit a long J!

Jody Genessy: Jazz haven't admitted they've made a trade with Golden State, but Kevin Murphy is no longer with the team, for what that's worth. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Hayward on rebuilding Jazz: "You're going to miss the guys...but you kind of move forward to the next chapter, and I'm excited about that."

Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Trey Burke was out of sorts for much of his professional debut, a 69-59 win over the Miami Heat at the Orlando Pro Summer League.

His shots were blocked, his bounce passes bounced off feet and, in what is the real killer for a 6-foot point guard, he looked slow.

The good news for the Jazz is that this is the Orlando Pro Summer League, where young players come to learn the NBA game. Burke, the No. 9 pick who the Jazz acquired in a draft-day trade, said he was jittery before the first game, but didn’t use that as a crutch for his 1-for-12 shooting performance.

"There’s no excuse for that," Burke said. "I think my shot will fall, that’s all about just staying confident in my shot, and I think I’ve got to feel comfortable."

Where Burke struggled shooting, he made up for it by being balanced: He tallied 8 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and just 2 turnovers.

He was matched against former Texas guard Myck Kabongo, who acknowledged the difference between college and the NBA game, even if it’s just summer league.

"Anytime you make that transition," said Kabongo, who finished with 3 points and was 0-for-4 from the field, "there’s going to be that jump. Everyone’s good at basketball, it’s no secret, you just got to compete."

The Jazz drafted Burke to be the fifth piece of their young core. The level of expectation on the Columbus, Ohio, native means every move will be scrutinized by a fan base desperate for success from the point guard. Burke had just one week to work with his new coaches and teammates at a minicamp in Orlando, but games like Sunday could lead to panic.

If there was a message from the Jazz contingent at Amway Center after the prized rookie’s first appearance, it was this: The new kid will be just fine.

"I think it’s good to get that first one out of the way," said Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward, who is with the team to observe but is not playing. "[He] didn’t shoot the ball extremely well. ... You can see when he’s out there, he’s calm, It didn’t seem like he got rattled too much, and that’s definitely a good sign."


In a rebuild, Burke will get every opportunity to assert himself as the point guard of the future. Sunday was a gentle reminder that getting to the future requires growing and that with growing comes pains.

An area where Burke looked NBA-ready on Sunday was working and communicating with his teammates. Burke, known for his leadership at the University of Michigan, spent much of the game coaching and advising roster hopefuls such as Rasid Mahalbasic and Dionte Christmas.

"We’ve actually seen that all week long," Jazz assistant Sidney Lowe said, "his communication with his teammates, getting guys in positions if someone makes a mistake, sort of talking to them, you know, let’s get back, get back on defense.

Christmas, a former star at Temple whose most recent experience was in the Italian League, led the Jazz with 14 points off the bench. Former Bradley University guard Chris Roberts added 11.

Jazz guard Alec Burks shot 4-for-6 and scored 10 points in 10 minutes before leaving the game with a mildly sprained left ankle. He is listed as day-to-day. Jazz forward Jeremy Evans scored 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

As a sophomore at Michigan, Burke shot 46.3 percent from the field, but poor shooting games weren’t uncommon for the 20-year-old. He was 1-for-8 in the Final Four against Syracuse, and 2-for-12 in an opening-round game against South Dakota State.

"It’s not all about scoring in my position," Burke said. "I have to be a leader out there, I have to be able to get guys going as well and just find ways to lead the team to victory. So I felt like I did a solid job of that today."

He showed some leadership skills at the end of the game. Wasn't too impressed overall though. Gobert will fit in nicely eventually.

Hall of Fame coach/senior basketball adviser Jerry Sloan is with the team. Coach Ty Corbin and lead assistant Lowe observed while assistant Michael Sanders coached the game with newly promoted Brad Jones at his side.

"They promoted me to coach," Gordon Hayward said.

Don't worry, fans. He was joking.

Hayward will still be a Jazz wing this upcoming season, but he decided to swing down and attend the summer league in central Florida to meet his new teammates and support buddies Jeremy Evans and Alec Burks.

"We've got a young group of guys," Hayward said, "and I want to be a part of that

[QUOTE]The Golden State Warriors are in advanced discussions on a three-way, sign-and-trade scenario centered on delivering a trade exception and Utah Jazz free agent Randy Foye to the Denver Nuggets, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

In the deal, which could be finalized on Monday, Denver would sign-and-trade forward Andre Iguodala to Golden State for the four-year, $48 million contract he had agreed to sign with the Warriors. This would create a $12 million trade exception that the Nuggets would have a full year to use before it expires. Utah would sign-and-trade Foye to Denver on a three-year, $9 million deal, with a team option on the third season, sources said. Yahoo! Sports[/QUOTE]

What do the Jazz get other than getting rid of Foye?

[QUOTE]Yet another player from last year's Utah Jazz team is heading elsewhere. The Jazz will ship shooting guard Randy Foye to Denver and receive a 2018 second-round pick from Golden State in a three-way deal, a source confirmed to the Deseret News. Deseret News

Andre Iguodala will be involved in this three-way deal, as he'll be signed by Denver and sent to Golden State. Deseret News[/QUOTE]

I'm assuming this is one of the 3 they were already getting not a 4th 2nd rounder?

So Mo and Tinsley are thw only to left right? Both of which are still in play last I heard. They definitely need a vet after Burke's debut.

[QUOTE]Marc Stein: In search for backup PG, Utah has turned attention to John Lucas. Raps ex spotted huddling today at Orlando Summer League w/Jazz officials Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Bill Oram: I can confirm Jazz officials were speaking with John Lucas III today at summer league. No idea whether that means a deal's forthcoming. Twitter @tribjazz[/QUOTE]

That better be for the 3rd pg guard spot. He's not back-up or starter unless you want to be even more obvious about the tank.

Free agent guard Raja Bell worked out for the Knicks in New York on Monday and stood out to the point where he could receive consideration for a roster spot, a league source told RealGM. The Knicks have been intrigued by the outside shooting and defensive versatility that Bell is known for, and they invited him into their facility on Monday. In the workouts, Bell shot well and outplayed New York

Bill Oram: Sources confirm that, yes, John Lucas was in Orlando yesterday to meet with the Jazz. He has interest from four teams. Twitter @tribjazz

[QUOTE]SUMMER NOTES: The Jazz had a bye Monday but will resume their five-game schedule Tuesday at 1 p.m. MDT (NBA-TV).

Free-agent guard John Lucas III met with Utah Jazz executives on Monday in Orlando, but the two sides have not reached a deal. "John has started the process of meeting with teams who have an interest in him," Lucas' agent, Bernie Lee, told USA TODAY Sports in a text message. "He has his next meeting set for tomorrow back home in Houston. John hopes to make a decision by the end of the week."

USA Today Sports

[QUOTE]Rick Bonnell: Kemba Walker on Bobcats adding Al Jefferson: "Was I excited? I almost shredded a tear. That's what we need." Twitter @rick_bonnell[/QUOTE]

I doubt he feels that way after he stands around watching Al with the ball.

[QUOTE]Bill Oram: Neto says the Jazz have not bought him out of his ACB contract so he

[QUOTE] Trey Burke is making progress when it comes to his shooting at the Orlando Pro Summer League.

In his debut Sunday, the Utah Jazz rookie missed 11 shots.

In his second game Tuesday, the No. 9 pick only missed 10 field goals.

Media didn't get a chance to chat with Utah's young point guard after the team's 85-71 loss to Houston, but Jazz assistant Sidney Lowe didn't seem fazed by Burke's second poor shooting performance

[QUOTE] As a second-year Utah Jazz guard, Alec Burks was burdened by discontentment and questions of just what was expected of him.

"Sometimes I wouldn

Burke's debut in Jazz gear was, well, very 1-for-12 like.

If trading up with Minnesota to grab the highly touted point guard was the party, Sunday's game at the Orlando Pro Summer League felt like the next morning's cleaning reality check.

The 6-foot-1 guard, whom Utah obtained for the 14th and 21st picks after Minnesota drafted him ninth overall, finished with eight points with 11 misses, seven rebounds and five assists in this summer outing.

"Poor shooting, obviously," said Burke, a 6-foot-1 player who just couldn't get into an offensive rhythm while assessing his first Jazz appearance. "It wasn't my best game, below average to me, but we won so that's all that matters."

Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward, who observed from the bench, cracked a slight grin when asked about Burke's performance in Utah's 69-59 win over Miami.

"It's good to get that first one out of the way," Hayward said. "He didn't shoot the ball extremely well, but that

Jody Genessy: Jazz center Rudy Gobert must return to France this summer to obtain a work visa, but he will not stay to participate with the national team. Twitter @DJJazzyJody

[QUOTE]Chris Vivlamore: Hawks have officially signed Paul Millsap. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Jody Genessy: Another source confirmed that Jazz center Rudy Gobert will have a minor ingrown toenail procedure after summer league. Nothing serious. Twitter @DJJazzyJody[/QUOTE]

Thanks Paul! :applause:

So what is Neto's buyout? As of now I'd have Burke behind Neto, McNeal and Stockton and he'd be ticketed for the D-League to start the year.

Evans had a nice game.

Chris Vivlamore: Danny Ferry on pursuit of Paul Millsap: "He was a priority for us from the start. He got the call at 12:01 (a.m. on July 1)." #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Rick Bonnell: Al Jefferson signing done. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Jody Genessy: Spain or Jazz? Raul Neto: "Of course, if I have to choose, I want to play NBA, but it's not my choice." Jazz and his agent will decide.

Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Center Rudy Gobert said he'll have his toe procedure done in France when he returns from summer league. He'll come back to Utah in August.

Twitter @DJJazzyJody

Jody Genessy: Jazz center Rudy Gobert will not participate with the French national team this summer, but he plans on playing with Les Bleus next year.

Twitter @DJJazzyJody

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: Lindsey on patience of Hayward, Favors, Kanter and Burks: "They're ambitious and competitive. They wanted more opportunity, and here it is."

Twitter @DJJazzyJody
[/QUOTE]
Still not convinced things have changed much as far as Burks go.

From David Locke:

[QUOTE]Defense. Young teams are not usually good defensively but as the Jazz build the core of Jazz 4.0 (the Jazz next generation) this will be a group capable of defending. Favors and Kanter can anchor the middle. Burks and Hayward are active on the wings and Rudy Gobert in years could be a major defensive force in the NBA.[/QUOTE]

I think this is where they could be really special. Young guys that already get after it defensively.

[QUOTE] Over the last three season

"I thought he did a great job. For having not practiced at all, it tells you a little bit about his mentality," Jazz assistant Sidney Lowe said of Neto. "He sat over there and watched and listened to everything that was going on in practice, and he was able to come in and run the plays.

"He knew every call. He knew the action. He knew where guys were supposed to be. He knew the timing. That speaks volumes."

Judging Neto's debut in Utah's 98-69 win over Brooklyn's summer squad, you might have thought he was the NCAA player of the year.

He isn't. That well-earned distinction belongs to Burke, who was given the day off by the Jazz coaching staff after shooting 22.2 percent from the field with only seven assists and six turnovers in two previous games.

"It's been a long time since I haven't played in a game," said Burke, who led Michigan to the 2013 NCAA championship game. "It wasn't hard because I knew I wasn't being punished."

Rather, Lowe cited multiple reasons why the Jazz had the ninth-overall pick the organization traded up to obtain sit this one out.

Coaches wanted to give him rest and to allow Neto and Jerel McNeal play.

The staff wanted Burke to watch from the bench so he could see the quicker pace, observe plays develop and get a feel for timing.

They also wanted him to sit next to Jazz assistant Brad Jones and be able to learn throughout the game.

"I think," Lowe said, "it was huge for him to sit back this game."

Burke, who hopes to be an NBA All-Star, let alone a summer league starter, looked a bit fidgety on the bench, even gnawing at his nails at times. But he also engaged in multiple discussions with Jones, cheered when his teammates did well, and said he took the educational opportunity in stride.

"It was good for me," Burke said, "to learn from a different perspective, learning from the bench and talking to the coaches, just trying to pick their brains from the bench.

"He sat over there and watched and listened to everything that was going on in practice and he was able to come in and run the plays," Jazz assistant Sidney Lowe said, marveling.

While lottery selection Trey Burke was held out Wednesday to watch, assistant Brad Jones talking him through every developing scenario, Neto took over.

"He knew every call," Lowe said. "He knew the action, he knew where guys were supposed to be, he knew the timing. So that speaks volumes."

It also amped up the decibels of cries from fans hoping the Jazz negotiate a buyout of Neto

[QUOTE] Jazz forward Jeremy Evans is also playing hurt. He broke his nose at mini-camp last week, and will have it re-evaluated next week. Evans scored 15 points with nine rebounds in the Jazz's 98-69 win over Brooklyn.

ROUGH YEAR: Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey admitted that he and Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's executive vice president of basketball operations, put Utah coach Tyrone Corbin in a tough spot last season. The 43-39 team missed the playoffs while trying to make a playoff push with seven veterans on expiring contracts and younger players needing but not always getting court time to blossom.

"We were trying to give the veterans their proper respect and opportunity as well as develop," Lindsey said in a phone interview with beat writers.

"On a season basis, Ty did a very good job. With any one game it became difficult at certain points. And times it certainly felt like we were trying to serve two different directions and sometimes going in completely opposite ways."[/QUOTE]

I think Ty has taken to much flak for sure. I'm not happy with everything he does but you have to look at the whole organization. Now that they have a definite direction you can start judging things a little more fairly.

[QUOTE]"We needed size. We needed shooting," Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said. "Clearly, what we had on our roster after the draft, we needed some experience. We checked a few boxes there."

While the Jazz press release listed off the five draft picks and cash considerations the Jazz will also receive in the deal, it didn't mention the names Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter or Alec Burks.

It could have.

This transaction was about them.

The deal helps fill up Utah's roster for 2013-14, but it was mostly for the future.

Combine this wheeling and dealing with the fact that Utah is watching all of its 2012-13 free agents drift off elsewhere, and it's clear the Jazz have made a strong commitment to complementing a young core that now also includes enticing point guard Trey Burke.

Let the Jr. Jazz movement begin.

"Difficult decisions need to be made," Lindsey said. "I saw it as a dilemma where we really had several good options as far as signing guys back or going with a youth movement."

So long, grizzled veterans Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Earl Watson and Mo Williams. Good luck, Randy Foye, Jamaal Tinsley and DeMarre Carroll.

Have at it, kids.

"We really appreciate the patience and the trust that Alec and Gordon and Enes and Derrick have shown thus far, but they're ambitious and competitive," Lindsey said. "They wanted more opportunity, and here it is."

Ready or not.

Trading up to get Burke after Minnesota drafted him ninth overall set in motion a flurry of action by the Jazz.

So far, that's resulted in the Jazz acquiring a half-dozen new players

[QUOTE]Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said Jefferson gives the Bobcats a proven veteran who can mentor young big men Bismack Biyombo and Zeller and take pressure off the team

[QUOTE]
The Atlanta Hawks made former Jazz forward Paul Millsap their top acquisition priority this offseason, sealing the deal Wednesday.

Hawks general manager Danny Ferry announced Millsap officially signed his new contract Wednesday morning. Atlanta wasted no time, contacting Millsap at 12:01 a.m. by phone to reassure Millsap of the team's interest. Millsap reportedly signed a projected two-year, $19 million deal, although official terms were not disclosed per team policy.

"Paul (Millsap) was one of our top priorities entering the free agency process and we believe he is a great fit with the team and culture that we are trying to build,

[QUOTE]Late last week, Tyrone Corbin promised prized rookie Trey Burke would play at the Orlando Pro Summer League as long as he could stand.

Three games in, he sat.

The former Michigan star was held out of the Jazz

[QUOTE]The newest Nuggets come via trade (Randy Foye) and free agency (J.J. Hickson). Foye, in particular, was persuaded by Tim Connelly, Nuggets new executive director of basketball operations. "Tim Connelly was one of the first guys that contacted me," Foye said. "I was thinking that (Andre) Iguodala was coming back. Everything played out the way it needed to play out. When Utah didn't call me back I was a little upset, but I got a chance to talk to some of the guys and just realized 'man this is a business.' "The way me and Tim spoke on the phone, it was really cool, just to see him and the way he was working with my agent. Working with us to get me there. There were a lot of things where the deal could have broken down. Tim just stayed in there and made things happen. That was something I appreciated about the whole situation." Boulder Daily Camera
[/QUOTE]
I was worried about him. Sounded like he might be back. Not a good fit for their offense. Hopefully Rush fits better. Would appear to have a better all around game. Is he a spot up shooter? Can he come off screens? Mid-range game?

Bill Oram: Jazz will be aligned with Bakersfield Jam after Reno Bighorns enter single-team partnership with Sacramento Kings. Twitter @tribjazz

[QUOTE]Bill Oram: Rudy Gobert described his surgery as different from an ingrown toenail. Says his shoes were too short. Recovery from surgery 2-3 weeks. Twitter @tribjazz

Jody Genessy: Asked which non-roster guys have stood out for Jazz, Coach Lowe pointed out Dionte Christmas, Chris Roberts, James Mays and Tony Gaffney. Twitter @DJJazzyJody[/QUOTE]

Let's step up shoe companies. Stockton hasn't gotten much of a look this year with. The two draft picks and McNeal.