2021 Off-Season. Another short one

“I always go back to (John) Stockton and (Karl) Malone,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “Jerry (Sloan) ran the same play for 20 years, they just ran it really well, and that’s what we want to do. We want to play defense a certain way, offense very simply, but still taking advantage of everybody’s abilities. [URL="https://theathletic.com/2705863/2021/07/13/team-usa-basketball-olympics-argentina/?source=rss"]“It was better,” Popovich also said. “Bit by bit, every day I hope.”[/URL]
– via [URL="https://theathletic.com/2705863/2021/07/13/team-usa-basketball-olympics-argentina/?source=rss"]Joe Vardon @ The Athletic[/URL]

[URL]https://kslsports.com/463285/utah-jazz-draft-prospect-jaden-springer/[/URL]

sounds like a possibility. Need more of a 1 though I'd say

[QUOTE]While the 30th pick in the draft is not the spot you think about for picking an All-Star-caliber player, it is a spot where you can get a serviceable and skilled role player who is ready to make an impact right away.

[/QUOTE]

not unless he went to Duke

[QUOTE]There are some things that are going to be very black and white for the Jazz this offseason. [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/7/9/22568084/utah-jazz-insiders-newsletter-why-need-mike-conley-nba-draft"]Re-signing Conley is an easy decision[/URL] and if the Jazz can make a deal there, they will. Other decisions though, won’t be so easy for the Jazz.

[/QUOTE]

it's not easy because of his injuries and the price but hard to imagine them getting better without him

[QUOTE][URL="https://www.deseret.com/2019/10/20/20922667/georges-niangs-nba-journey"]Georges Niang[/URL] is a free agent. Niang has been a good player but he wasn’t very helpful during the playoffs. Has he done enough to stay on this roster? [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/12/14/22174188/georges-niang-and-miye-oni-making-strides-on-the-defensive-end-for-the-utah-jazz-preseason"]Miye Oni[/URL] seems like he could be a reliable defender if he could limit his fouls, but he also needs to develop a more reliable shot.

[/QUOTE]

Niang at the right price. He played D anyway as did Oni. They will get better. Clarkson, Favors and Hughes are the first guys to look at. Get rid of them and than depending on what the roster looks like after that you make other choices

[QUOTE]What about players like [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/11/25/21718627/derrick-favors-utah-jazz-nba-trade-free-agency-new-orleans-pelicans-return-feels-like-home"]Derrick Favors[/URL] and [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/1/8/22220611/joe-ingles-ironman-streak-snapped-after-more-than-5-years"]Joe Ingles[/URL]? Those could potentially be players that the Jazz would be willing to deal if it meant getting some younger players who offer more versatility to the roster. That’s definitely not what a lot of Jazz fans want to hear, but if it means that this team can get over that second-round hump in the postseason, it would be worth it.

[/QUOTE]

doubt they go anywhere. Ingles probably due for an extension if anything

[QUOTE]Finally, there is the vast amount of developing players or nonrotational players that the Jazz need to decide what to do with. Do they want to put their faith in [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/8/22/21396275/how-rookie-juwan-morgan-went-from-undrafted-free-agent-to-playoff-contributor-for-the-utah-jazz"]Juwan Morgan[/URL] as a small-ball five, or cut ties? Do they want to give [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/14/22383642/despite-limited-opportunities-utah-jazz-two-way-player-jarrell-brantley-okc-thunder-nba-defense"]Jarrell Brantley[/URL] a minimum contract, or let him go elsewhere to continue his NBA career?

[/QUOTE]

they need to elsewhere since the coach won't play them. They can play

[QUOTE]The Jazz are at a point where they can’t afford to use so many roster spots on empty players like Matt Thomas and Ersan Ilyasova, or players that might amount to something in three, four or five years. If they decide to keep some of their low-minute players, they need to figure out a way to get them meaningful minutes through the regular season so that they are able to help when needed in the playoffs.

[/QUOTE]

Ersan was one of their best players and should have been on the floor. Thomas might have helped too. Who knows? This is all on the coach who remains

[QUOTE]The Jazz’s needs are clear. The team needs depth at the wing position, it needs a versatile front court and it needs a backup point guard. The mechanisms for the Jazz to acquire players are clear. They can draft, use the taxpayer mid-level exception, sign players to minimum contracts or make deals with other teams.

[/QUOTE]

the needs have been clear and yet there is still no PF that Snyder will play. They have a backup pg

[url]https://www.deseret.com/2021/7/13/22565729/utah-jazz-face-hard-questions-heading-into-draft-free-agency-derrick-favors-joe-ingles-mike-conley[/url]

[QUOTE][B]Why good is not good enough: Jazz face hard questions heading into draft, free agency[/B]

[/QUOTE]

we'll see. If Clarjson, Favors and Highes remain it's the same old Jazz regardless of new GM and owner. Same coach already and he may be the biggest problem

[QUOTE]Much has been proven about this Jazz team. The group that is shepherded by [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/11/22/21583284/donovan-mitchell-reportedly-agrees-to-maximum-contract-extension"]Donovan Mitchell [/URL]and [URL="https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/12/20/22191422/rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-quin-snyder-donovan-mitchell-contract-extension-nba-news"]Rudy Gobert[/URL] is good enough to be nearly unstoppable in the regular season, they have the top-end talent to lead a team. But first- and second-round playoff losses aren’t going to cut it anymore.

[/QUOTE]

apparently they are since the coach who wouldn't try anything remains

[QUOTE]The Jazz’s biggest problems during the playoffs were lack of depth and lack of versatility.

[/QUOTE]

actually we don't know that since the coach wouldn't try anyone else

[QUOTE]The Jazz are hamstrung by only being able to play one type of basketball — a traditional five-man lineup. When faced with small-ball lineups or opponents that can play five-out with a shooting big, it’s no secret the Jazz don’t fare very well.

[/QUOTE]

Ersan, Morgan, Brabtley, Forrest, Thomas...

[QUOTE]Gobert is an exceptional center and has been honored as the [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/9/22527073/utah-jazz-center-rudy-gobert-wins-third-nba-defensive-player-of-the-year-award"]Defensive Player of the Year three times[/URL], including last season. Saying that the Jazz need a small-ball five, or a way to make their rotation more versatile, is not meant to take away from what Gobert can do. It is, however, a way for the Jazz to humble themselves and admit their shortcomings.

[/QUOTE]

need a starting PF that can protect the rim if Gobert has to cover the perimeter and play center if he goes to the bench. Need a coach that will play him first though

[QUOTE]The Jazz also have a depth problem. The team patted itself on the back many times throughout the regular season when a bench player would have a big scoring night for the team and credited depth as a strength, but the truth is that the Jazz’s rotation rarely went further than nine players. That means there were eight roster spots taken up by players who rarely played meaningful minutes, or didn’t play meaningful minutes at all.

[/QUOTE]

that's on Snyder

[QUOTE]Without a reliable backup point guard, the injuries to Conley and Mitchell were amplified. Without more versatile wing defenders, the Jazz were overpowered from the perimeter and had to make tough choices on coverages. And finally, without a small-ball five, the Jazz’s front court was targeted and worn ragged in switches that were advantageous for the Clippers.

[/QUOTE]

Ingles is fine as a backup. Needed a 3rd guy and Forrest can't shoot. Mitchell and Clarkson don't defend and COTY doesn't care

[QUOTE]Meanwhile, Los Angeles fielded multiple lineups, had options beyond nine players and were able to advance to the Western Conference finals because they had options and depth.

[/QUOTE]

again they had a coach that tried everything vs a coach that tried nothing

[QUOTE]When [URL="https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/16/22536598/kawhi-leonard-injury-update-leonard-reportedly-expected-to-miss-game-5-utah-jazz-la-clippers-nba"]Kawhi Leonard went out with an injury[/URL], Terance Mann stepped into the starting lineup. The Clippers had Reggie Jackson and Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverley to rotate through depending who would be better against the matchup. They also had Ivica Zubac for a traditional center, DeMarcus Cousins who could stretch the floor a little, and Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris to play small ball. The Clippers also had their stars and role players who could shoot and defend.

[/QUOTE]

is Mann better than Ersan. Morgan, Brantley, Forrest and Thomas? Certainly take any of them over Cousins

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-draft/2021/7/14/22566365/2021-nba-draft-coverage-chris-duarte-oregon[/url]

[QUOTE]Wingspan: 6’ 7”[/QUOTE]

not what the Wizard liked

[QUOTE]As a momentum-shifting playmaker in Dana Altman’s 2-3 zone defense, Duarte was excellent. He’s less effective in man concepts, particularly in isolation and at the point of attack. He’s susceptible to a quick first step and allows dribble penetration. He tends to ball watch, overplays passing lanes, and can be overly aggressive on closeouts. These defensive habits often put him out of position, forcing his teammates to scramble, rotate, and recover.

Duarte struggles as a playmaker and was a bit of a turnover machine in college. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.16:1 is well below average for a guard, and he often telegraphed his passes to the corner. Duarte struggles to deliver accurate passes in a few key areas for guards - the pass to the big out of pick and roll, the “skip” pass to the far corner, and the lob.

[/QUOTE]

not what they need

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-draft/2021/7/13/22567140/utah-jazz-2021-nba-draft-jt-thor-auburn[/url]

[QUOTE]Age (on draft day): 18.88

School: Auburn
Height (w/out shoes): 6’8.5”
Height (w/shoes): 6’9.25”
Wingspan: 7’3.25”
Standing Reach: 9’2”

Weight: 203 lbs

[/QUOTE]

Wizard like length

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/2021/7/13/22574202/2021-utah-jazz-post-mortem-the-perils-of-being-very-good-not-great-nba-offseason-trade-draft[/url]

[QUOTE]We’ve seen a similar story unfold over the past three years in the playoffs: Last year in the bubble we saw the Jazz give up a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets, who then went on to get rocked in 5 by the eventual champion Lakers; the year before we saw the Jazz lose in 5 to the Rockets, who would go on to lead a competitive series against the Warriors until they lost the series clincher with Kevin Durant out with an injury. And on and on it goes. In each of those series, our regular-season defensive strength surrounding Rudy Gobert ended up becoming a liability. And in each of those series, we lacked star power to go punch for punch. In short— we just weren’t good enough.

[/QUOTE]

What we've saw the past two years is a coach unwilling to try anything new. 3 years ago their offense sucled

[QUOTE]The quickest way to get better—get already good players to come play for you. The Jazz have demonstrated a small amount of success in luring mid-level free agents to Salt Lake City, however, Utah has not—and will likely not for the foreseeable future be a free agent destination—although I’d be ecstatic for my Silicon Slopes bros to prove me wrong. Whereas we’ve experienced moderate success with signing Bojan Bogdanovic or Jordan Clarkson to favorable deals, the Jazz have never in history been able to sign an All-NBA talent. For goodness’ sake, [URL="https://clutchpoints.com/5-best-free-agent-signings-utah-jazz-history/"]a list of the best five Jazz FA signings[/URL] is topped by Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur!

[/QUOTE]

the fact that you think those are favorable deals says it all

[QUOTE]Hill and Conley were and have been great Jazz-men, however, they also led us to the aforementioned playoff exits and disappointments.

[/QUOTE]

they led? :facepalm

[QUOTE]The point is that bottoming out in the draft in subsequent years benefits teams—especially those in smaller markets—in three distinct ways: (1) the potential of landing a superstar, (2) getting talented upward-trending players on a discount relative to their value, and (3) building a team with players on roughly the same schedule developmentally.

[/QUOTE]

unfortunately Gobert emerged and ruined the grand plan not that the Wizard had much success drafting high

[QUOTE]Maybe the departure of Dennis Lindsey solves some of those problems facing the Jazz—it probably doesn’t. The tradeable asset chest is wanting—ironically again because we’ve been too good to have good young players to trade or desirable future draft picks. Our only hope is that we somehow nail the 30th pick or get a steal in free agency.

[/QUOTE]

maybe Snyder will play his bench guys since he's not trying to get the GM fired anymore?

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-draft/2021/7/12/22560156/2021-nba-draft-coverage-trendon-watford[/url]

[QUOTE]Height: 6’ 7.5”

Weight 237 lbs

Wingspan: 7’ 2.25”

[/QUOTE]

got the length

need a 1

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/nba-draft/2021/7/12/22561347/2021-nba-draft-coverage-trey-murphy-iii[/url]

[QUOTE]Physical: 21 years old (turns 22 next June), 6’9” with a 7’0” wingspan and 8’9.5” standing reach, 206 pounds at the combine[/QUOTE]

not elite wingspan

need a 1

[URL="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2945899-nba-league-insiders-expect-a-flurry-of-sign-and-trades-this-summer"]Brooklyn has maintained an interest in Tucker dating back to the Nets’ James Harden trade talks. Miami also discussed adding Tucker in variations of the Heat’s negotiations for Victor Oladipo, sources said.[/URL] Add the Lakers, Warriors, Nuggets and Jazz as teams that could vie for Tucker’s services too. Minnesota, led of course by former Rockets executive Gersson Rosas, has coveted Tucker dating back to the 2020 draft, sources said, and the Wolves have continued searching for front court improvements.
– via [URL="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2945899-nba-league-insiders-expect-a-flurry-of-sign-and-trades-this-summer"]Jake Fischer @ Bleacher Report[/URL]

[QUOTE] [URL="https://sportando.basketball/en/virtus-bologna-reportedly-in-advanced-talks-with-ekpe-udoh/"]Virtus Bologna is in advanced talks with Ekpe Udoh[/URL] as reported by the Bologna’s newspaper this morning. The Italian Champions would have passed Partizan and Zeljko Obradovic in the race to the Nigerian big man and the agreement would be close.

– via [URL="https://sportando.basketball/en/virtus-bologna-reportedly-in-advanced-talks-with-ekpe-udoh/"]Sportando[/URL]


[/QUOTE]

He'd be better than Favors

[url]https://www.ksl.com/article/50204520/patrick-kinahan-stereotypes-continue-to-hover-over-jazz[/url]

[QUOTE]"The fact that they put on a happy face for him, but their true feelings come out when African Americans come there to play is what I think is the issue and the problem that will ultimately let him say, 'You know what, I'm done here. Thank you, get me out of here.'"

[/QUOTE]

see ya!

[url]https://kslsports.com/463410/utah-jazz-nba-draft-prospect-jt-thor/[/url]

[QUOTE]Where the Jazz proved to have a lack of versatile two-way players, Thor is the type of player that could provide added defensive coverage alongside Rudy Gobert while still complimenting the team’s offense as a potential floor spacer.

[/QUOTE]

it's what they need but don't expect it from a rookie

[url]https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem[/url]

[QUOTE]He improved even more with extra time in Quin Snyder’s system, to the tune of a career best 18.4 points per game and the 2021 6th Man of the Year Award. When he’s on, there’s almost nothing you can do to stop him.

[/QUOTE]

let him stop himself most nights

[QUOTE]But should Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson really be coming off the same bench?

[/QUOTE]

no. Clarkson needs to go. Put Bojan on the bench

[QUOTE] So, the team can’t shoot when Clarkson and Ingles share the floor, we can’t defend when Clarkson and Mitchell share the floor (based on slcdunk article earlier this year) and our team +/- is absolutely terrible for some reason [URL="https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/traditional/?Season=2020-21&SeasonType=Playoffs&TeamID=1610612762&GroupQuantity=2&CF=GROUP_NAME*E*J.%20Clarkson&sort=PLUS_MINUS&dir=1"]when Clarkson and O’Neale share the floor[/URL]. That’s a problem for Quinn that I don’t envy. Not a lot of lineups left.


Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/ThatFilthyApe"]ThatFilthyApe[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem#542438251"]Jul 14, 2021 | 1:36 PM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

bye bye Clarkson is what that says

[QUOTE]I remember how bad our bench used to be. Part of the problem was Bradley’s defense though. Maybe Clarkson would be more efficient if he wasn’t forced to be the focus on offense all the time. The other reason it might make sense to move Clarkson – his stock is super high right now. You know other GMs will be asking about him.
I don’t think I would make such a big change for next year, but if we could swap Clarkson for a guy who can break down a defense [I]and pass the ball sometimes[/I], maybe it would make sense.

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Big_B"]Big_B[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem#542438438"]Jul 14, 2021 | 1:42 PM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

a lot of the reasons the bench was bad. Bradley was hardly the sole blame.

[QUOTE] [INDENT]. . .we reeeaaaally need someone who could create his own shot because we have too many unathletic guys who can’t create their own shot without running a system.[/INDENT]So, why not just run the system?

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem#542439990"]Jul 14, 2021 | 2:34 PM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

exactly

[QUOTE][h=4]When they ran the system, the system worked well.[/h] The problem was players wanting to be a hero and not running the system.

The issue with being low on the shot clock and having to get a shot off is real, but much rarer than fans seem to think. Usually, when the Jazz are forced to take a last-second shot, it’s because DM or Clarkson got the ball with eight seconds left and then dribbled for seven seconds before being "forced" to take a last-second shot. It is very rare that they get the ball with only a couple of seconds left.

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem#542453666"]Jul 15, 2021 | 7:35 AM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

yep

[QUOTE] I have strongly argued in the past that trading for Love would be insane, but the math just changed dramatically. Instead of having to pay him $30m/year, he would come at a tiny fraction of the cost.

He’d have to be a center now because he is too slow to guard the perimeter. What about bringing him in as a backup to Rudy? The most we could offer would be the luxury MLE (I think $5.9m). We also have the BAE ($2.3m?) or vet’s minimum.

He wouldn’t protect the paint like Favors, but he can shoot.
Would he accept that role and salary to be on a contender? Would we want him? What would we do with Favs?

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Kira%20Argonova"]Kira Argonova[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem#542440917"]Jul 14, 2021 | 3:09 PM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

not the ideal fit

[QUOTE][h=4]IF we were going to change our backup center, we want a great defender, not a great shooter.[/h] If defense is a weakness, why bring in Love? Nice to have a big name player I guess, but I don’t think he provides more than Ersan, does he? Ersan at least hustles on D, and has a shot at guarding 4s. If we need a center because of foul trouble or injuries, give Dok a try.


Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Big_B"]Big_B[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem#542442616"]Jul 14, 2021 | 4:26 PM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

Need a starting 4 that can play 5. Dok wasn't ready

[QUOTE]I’m not even sure Kuzma would make UTA a better team but he could easily play PF, allowing Bojan to play SF, O’Neale SG, and DM PG, which are more natural positions for each player.

Posted by [URL="https://www.sbnation.com/users/Palmetto%20Bug"]Palmetto Bug[/URL] on [URL="https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/7/14/22577228/joe-ingles-jordan-clarkson-utah-jazz-bench-6th-man-problem#542442276"]Jul 14, 2021 | 4:09 PM[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

:facepalm

[url]https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/who-said-small-ball-is-the-only-way-to-win-a-title/?addata=espn:nba:teams[/url]

[QUOTE]At the same time, the Suns found [URL="https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612756/lineups-traditional/?Season=2020-21&SeasonType=Playoffs&sort=PLUS_MINUS&dir=1&PerMode=Totals&DateFrom=07%2F11%2F2021"]their most successful lineup[/URL] in Game 3 without a center on the floor. Early in the third quarter, Cam Johnson replaced Ayton, and the Suns [URL="https://www.nba.com/game/phx-vs-mil-0042000403/play-by-play"]cut 10 points off Milwaukee’s lead over the following minutes[/URL]. But the Bucks were also small at the time, and when Bobby Portis and Lopez rejoined the game, the Bucks pushed their lead back to double digits, forcing the Suns to use Frank Kaminsky as a backup center rather than continue their small-ball experiment. Phoenix, like Milwaukee, has been best when big.

[/QUOTE]

it's what COTY should have been trying with Ersan/Morgan/Brantley the past two seasons