2016- Yet another long off-season

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-free-agency/2016/7/2/12087094/nba-free-agency-2016-joe-johnson-utah-jazz-gordon-hayward-rodney-hood-22-ways[/url]

[QUOTE]So this marks the second time we have a young player on the Jazz who was drafted that was later on paired up with that player's idol growing up. The first was Dante Exum (2014 Draft) and Joe Ingles (2014 Free Agent). Now Rodney Hood (2014 Draft) and Joe Johnson (2016 Free Agent). [/QUOTE]
That's cool. Hood gets to learn from his guy. Amazing what having vets around can do.

[QUOTE]Hayward has no post-up game, and as a lead guy hasn't been spectacular as a 1st option. Johnson does have a post-up game, and at times can put a team on his back and carry them to big wins. Johnson also has a more ideal diversity of where he gets his shots on the floor, and how he gets the ball. Hayward has bulked up to 230, but will be 10 pounds lighter than Johnson. I don't think we want him to get much bigger, but learn to better use his body to get an advantage over smaller defenders. Johnson is one of the last of a breed of guards who have post-up skills. Hayward desperately needs to get as much as he can to take his game to the next level.[/QUOTE]

Believe that is one of the things he is working on this off-season.

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4075110-155/kragthorpe-joe-johnson-makes-jazz-even[/url]

[QUOTE]Now, if the Jazz can just get one more shooter, such as a big man who can spread the court

[URL="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657367/Utah-Jazz-forward-Trevor-Booker-to-sign-with-Brooklyn-Nets.html"]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657367/Utah-Jazz-forward-Trevor-Booker-to-sign-with-Brooklyn-Nets.html[/URL]

[quote]Booker's departure also opens up a possible roster spot for Weber State big Joel Bolomboy. The Jazz's late second-round selection, who's participating with the team's summer league for the next couple of weeks, has similar energy but more athleticism and rebounding prowess than the Brooklyn-bound baller.[/quote]
Not many people more athletic than Booker. Believe it when I see it. There's a spot for the guy if he can play not because Booker left.

[QUOTE][URL="http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-wizards/least-5-other-teams-show-interest-wizards-garrett-temple"]Garrett Temple, who has spent the last four years with the Wizards and is an unrestricted free agent, could be on his way out door with more teams having expressed interest than ever before,[/URL] league sources tell CSNmidatlantic.com on Saturday night. In addition to the Wizards who contacted Temple by the time the period open Friday, the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks have talked to the 6-6 guard via phone.

Adrian Wojnarowski: The Utah [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Jazz are finalizing a deal to send guard Trey Burke to the Washington Wizards for a future pick,[/URL] league sources tell @The Vertical.

Looks like he is their back-up at the moment. So good luck to Trey.

The roster is at 15 with Mack, Withey and Johnson's contracts not guaranteed yet. I guess they gave a partial guarantee to Ford as well but that is more of a D-league thing.

4 spots for fall camp to fill

[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--wizards-acquire-trey-burke-from-jazz-160045495.html[/url]

2021 2nd rounder

[URL="http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2016/7/3/12090262/nba-trade-rumors-2016-utah-jazz-trey-burke-washington-wizards-bradley-beal-john-wall"]http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2016/7/3/12090262/nba-trade-rumors-2016-utah-jazz-trey-burke-washington-wizards-bradley-beal-john-wall[/URL]

[quote]In a contract year worth $3 million and change he's an easy player to absorb in today's crazy, wild, cap space projections.[/quote]
Looks like 3rd pg pay. I'd imagine they'll at least want someone to compete with him for the 2nd pg.

[QUOTE]But I know Utah will be fine as well, with Hill, Exum, and Neto taking care of things even if they have to say goodbye to Mack (They do not, but he's not on the books right now and the roster is already pretty full).[/QUOTE]

Love how everyone is dismissing one of their best players from last year. Hard to imagine not picking up his contract at least. I can see trading him because they may not be able to afford him next season but he should be considered the starter right now.

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4077308-155/report-jazz-trade-trey-burke-to[/url]

[QUOTE]The Jazz and Burke had been discussing a contract buyout that would make him an unrestricted free agent before changing course over the weekend. [/QUOTE]

One team was interested?

[URL="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657396/Jazz-trade-Trey-Burke-to-Washington-Wizards-for-second-round-pick.html"]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657396/Jazz-trade-Trey-Burke-to-Washington-Wizards-for-second-round-pick.html[/URL]

[quote]That leaves the Jazz about $10 million below the NBA's salary floor ($84.7 million) and $20 below the salary cap ($94.1 million).[/quote]
Could still get a pretty good big for that and give Favors what's left. Should be able to go over the cap for Favors. Could still look to strengthen the end of the bench. Just got more flexibility with 12 guaranteed contracts.

[QUOTE]The Jazz still have somewhat of a logjam at the point guard position, with the rehabbing Exum, Mack, Neto and veteran George Hill in the mix.[/QUOTE]

There's only a logjam if Exum shows he belongs on the court. The moves they've made tell me they aren't counting on him to start the year.

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: The [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Jazz will definitely pick up Shelvin Mack

13 guaranteed with Mack

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]Wasn't much doubt. One of the best bargains in the league at 2 million something.[/QUOTE]

Bye bye Neto. I don't think they'll totally ship him out, but he's going to the D-League or they'll stash him in Europe.

I think Exum has to prove he belongs on the floor at both ends first. Can he still defend? Can he do anything else now? It sounds like the tanking is finally over and he's actually going to have to earn his floor time with everyone else this year. He seems more likely to go to the D-league to me. Prove he can run a team first.

Mack should be starting at the 1 based on what we've seen with Hill starting at the 2. Neto should be backing up Mack.

They can't stash Neto in Europe.

[quote][URL="http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article87499517.html"]The Kings are pursuing options for Gay,[/URL] according to league sources. The market for Gay might take shape after Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant decides where he will sign. Koufos is a solid center who could help a good team. The Kings were pleased with him last season, primarily as a backup, but the team loaded up on big men in the draft (Georgios Papagiannis and Skal Labissiere) and free agency (Tolliver).
– via [URL="http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article87499517.html"]Sacramento Bee[/URL]
[/quote] Would love Koufos again. He doesn't hit the 3 but he might actually be an upgrade on Withey.

The Jazz should be looking for a division title now.

[url]http://purpleandblues.com/2016/07/04/joe-johnson-trevor-booker-utah-jazz-nightmare-begins/[/url]

[QUOTE]Booker has been the heart and soul of the Jazz franchise. He

[url]http://purpleandblues.com/[/url]

don't think I've seen this site before.

[QUOTE]drian Wojnarowski: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]For the Spurs to complete the Gasol signing, they

[QUOTE]Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Charlotte still trying to move Spencer Hawes contract to clear additional space for a center. Roy Hibbert and Zaza Pachulia are top of the list[/URL].

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/2016/7/4/12094622/nba-summer-league-2016-utah-jazz-full-roster-and-final-thoughts[/url]

[QUOTE]First of all, we want to see good things from Lyles and Bolomboy. Everyone else is kind of not-important to the Utah Jazz in the big picture.[/QUOTE]

Seriously? Right now the only ones that matter are Lyles and Pleiss until someone else shows they are important. Pleiss could be the 4th big!

[QUOTE]The wings don't impress anyone. Christmas has a lot of experience, and this isn't his first go-around with the Jazz in the summer. He's been in the pipeline and is closer to 30 than anyone else on the squad. He will be showing these younger cats a thing or two. For sure. But can he show the Jazz enough to get an invite to training camp? We always want three and D guys, and Christmas has been auditioning for that role for a while.[/QUOTE]

He's actually pretty impressive as a former NBA player. He might have a chance at making the club which is pretty important.

[QUOTE]ibor is an x-factor here. Is he going to impress and make the Jazz feel the need to keep him -- or will the team get enough data on him to actually know what they have on their hands with him, and move him? We'll see.[/QUOTE]

I think they already have a pretty good idea. Not like he's going to get a whole better at his age.

[QUOTE][URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--roy-hibbert--hornets-reach-deal-002248470.html"]The Hornets have been trying to trade Spencer Hawes and the remaining $11.7 million on his contract to clear salary-cap space, a move that will likely require the Hornets to attach a future draft pick,[/URL] league sources said.

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]and a pick![/QUOTE]
They just gave away their first rounder for Marco Belinelli for some reason, now they gotta give another one to get rid of Hawes? You'd hope it would only be a 2nd rounder.

Honestly though, is Hibbert much more of an upgrade? He's been looking like the walking dead over the last year or so.

Hibbert is a better defender and they are only giving him 5 million which isn't even rotation money now.

Hanlan has improved a lot as I figured he would. Ahead of this year's picks. He looked like a possible roster guy. Could take Chris Johnson's spot or Neto/Mack if there's a move and lead the D-league team.

Wallace was active. Bolomboy hit the glass but I'm not sure that's enough. Pleiss had his moments. He should do more at this level though if he's going to be in the NBA.

[QUOTE]Chris Reichert: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]Erick Green (Reno Bighorns in 15/16) will be at Las Vegas SL with the Portland Trail Blazers,[/URL] per a league source

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4083369-155/monson-post-durant-jazzs-new-challenge-is[/url]

[QUOTE]The difference between this team now and the team that Tyrone Corbin coached a few years back is that Corbin's team had veterans on it that were taking time away from the youngsters. Many of those younger players are more developed now, and Dennis Lindsey is buttressing that young core with veterans like George Hill and Joe Johnson, who will only help the core, not hinder it.[/QUOTE]

Young guys will lose minutes this year. There's no difference. There's competing and there's tanking. Lindsey is finally done tanking. It's a year late but what the hell I guess. Withey losing minutes to Lyles last year cost them a lot of wins.

[QUOTE]But already, before the Jazz have even made the playoffs, the concern has reared up as to whether they can keep their players. Gordon Hayward can leave after this next season, and make

[url]http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4080540-155/utah-jazz-german-center-tibor-pleiss[/url]

[QUOTE]While others on the Jazz's summer roster are simply fighting for contracts next season, Pleiss' deal is secure.[/QUOTE]

He's fighting for a roster spot.

[QUOTE]Come training camp this fall, Pleiss will likely have to battle with Jeff Withey for minutes at backup center and said he hasn't had detailed discussions with Jazz management about his expected role next season.[/QUOTE]
Not much of a battle there. What about Bolomboy? I thought he was supposed to be their next great big instantly? Right now Pleiss has to show he's better than him and the other bigs not named Lyles on the roster.

[url]http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657436/Breaking-down-Utah-Jazz-guards-and-wings-after-the-addition-of-Joe-Johnson-subtraction-of-Trey.html[/url]

[QUOTE]The addition of Johnson will surely be more the more impactful transaction.[/QUOTE]

Really? He should help them with his scoring, shooting, playmaking and leadership but Hill brings all that and D and also could get minutes at what has been their weakest position before getting Mack. I'd say Hill is the bigger get. Johnson would have been a few years ago.

[QUOTE]The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Johnson could give Rodney Hood a run for his money at the starting shooting guard spot, but his versatility could also allow him to spell Hood and small forward Gordon Hayward, as well as play power forward if Snyder wants to go with a smaller option there at times.[/QUOTE]

Until I see Hill run the offense as good as Mack or even Neto I'd say he's the starting 2. I see Joe as their PF in small line-ups coming off the bench as a scorer and someone to help spread out the D and maybe give them some post game when Favors is out.

[QUOTE]With both Johnson and fellow recent acquisition George Hill, Snyder now has multiple players who will effectively be able to play multiple positions.[/QUOTE]

He has two more anyway. From the way everyone is talking Hill is just a pg. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE]During the 2015-2016 campaign, a young Utah team often found itself in close games down the stretch, with players such as Hayward and Hood getting called upon to produce in pressure moments. Their lack of experience in such situations often led to the Jazz coming up short.
While Hood and Hayward now have some experience in being the go-to guys at the end of games, the addition of Johnson not only takes pressure off them, but Snyder now has a number of options he can go to when the game is on the line.
[/QUOTE]
Even more important that there won't be as many close games because they are a lot better now.

[QUOTE]Johnson

[url]http://saltcityhoops.com/jazz-summer-league-squad-falls-to-spurs-anderson-co-90-69/[/url]

[QUOTE]So last year

[QUOTE]Adrian Wojnarowski: [URL="http://*********.com/social/"]San Antonio has traded forward Boris Diaw to the Utah Jazz,[/URL] league sources tell @The Vertical.

Please trade Withey! He deserves to play. He's too good to be riding the bench.

Can live with Pleiss as 5th big for now. Don't think they necessarily need a 6th one. Sorry Bolomboy fans.

[url]http://purpleandblues.com/2016/07/04/ten-players-look-utah-jazz-summer-league/2/[/url]

[QUOTE]The reason he

[QUOTE]Paige will likely start his career in the Developmental League with the Stars[/QUOTE]

He will? :rolleyes:

[url]http://purpleandblues.com/2016/07/04/ten-players-look-utah-jazz-summer-league/10/[/url]

[QUOTE]Lyles struggled last season to get stops on the defensive end and he didn

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-trades-and-deadline/2016/7/5/12101466/nba-free-agency-2016-san-antonio-spurs-trade-boris-diaw-utah-jazz-olivier-hanlan-trey-lyles[/url]

[QUOTE]While I do lament the loss of one of our two Canadians, Diaw is more ready to help this team than the, at best, 5th string point guard. [/QUOTE]

Might be higher up at the 2 where he started last night.

[QUOTE]Right now the bigman rotation exists in some sort of stasis right now as we don't know if [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/diawbo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Boris Diaw[/URL][/B] will be the 3rd big or the fourth behind [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Trey Lyles[/URL][/B]. [/QUOTE]

Diaw I would think. Similar players really. Diaw is better at this stage though. What Lyles loses in minutes he'll gain by getting mentored by Diaw.

[QUOTE]Behind that foursome the team has [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pleisti01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Tibor Pleiss[/URL][/B] under contract, but the tall German isn't really ready to be a 5th big in my mind.[/QUOTE]

I think he showed he can play a bit if called upon. I'm alright with it for now. If there's injuries and he has to play a lot I might change my mind. Withey needs to go!

[QUOTE]And last, and least, we have the raw, athletic rookie [B][URL="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bolomjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.basketball-reference.com"]Joel Bolomboy[/URL][/B] -- who is likely to play with the Salt Lake City Stars if at all.[/QUOTE]

We'll see how he progresses over summer league.

[QUOTE]He has a non-guaranteed deal for next season, 2017-18, for $7.500 million. [/QUOTE]

I predict they have to pick that up at that price but it's nice to have flexibility.

[QUOTE]As of right now the Jazz still are $10.469 million UNDER the cap. The minimum (90% of the cap) means the team still needs to add a little more salary, but are sitting really close to that at 89%. A Bolomboy signing or confirming the non-guaranteed's for some may put them over that threshold. Not a bad off-season, Dennis Lindsey.[/QUOTE]

Favors contract. I think there may be more movement. The rotation is getting crowded though I could see Neto going to the bench to start the year at least.