Oregon point guard Payton Pritchard and Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman are two potential draft targets for the Jazz, Tony Jones of The Athletic opines. Pritchard could replace free agent Emmanuel Mudiay, while Tillman would add toughness and defensive versatility, Jones continues. Utah owns a late first-round pick. Vanderbilt swingman Aaron Nesmith, a prolific shooter, is another player the franchise could consider at that spot, Jones adds.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- The Thunder’s best chance for long-term improvement is to cash in on Chris Paul‘s big season and move him this offseason, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. Paul — who still has two years left on his contract, including a $44.2MM player option in the final year — will never again be higher in value than this summer, in Hollinger’s view. Paul’s situation is similar to that of Mike Conley‘s last offseason, when he was traded to Utah due to the size of his contract and the numbers of players likely to be required to match salaries, Hollinger adds. Hollinger and The Athletic’s Erik Horne break down the Thunder’s roster and outlook in their comprehensive story.
- If unrestricted free agent Paul Millsap re-signs with the Nuggets, it will be at a vastly reduced rate, Mike Singer of the Denver Post speculates. Millsap, who is making $30MM this season, would probably have to settle for a short-term contract with a starting salary of $10-13MM. Re-signing fellow power forward Jerami Grant, who is likely to opt out and become an unrestricted free agent, is probably a bigger priority, Singer adds.
- The Thunder are in danger of losing their first-round draft pick, Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman points out. It’s a scenario that we previously noted. Oklahoma City traded the pick in November 2016 with top-20 protection to Philadelphia for Grant. OKC is tied for the ninth-best record in the NBA, which means if the draft order remains in place, the 76ers would get the Thunder’s pick at No. 21 or 22.
Chris Paul could unanimously win the MVP and teams still wouldn’t be lining up to trade for him … His age and salary obviously limit his appeal to other teams regardless of how great he is
OKC would need to bring back some bad contracts to get rid of Paul. No team wants to pay a aging old player that much money with a player option. I can’t think of any team that would trade for Paul but not giving up a bad contract in return?
I feel your half right half wrong here-
Paul is worth the money he has left for 2 years right now but yes they would have to ultimately take back a bad contract (presumably on last year) as well as getting a young player or 2 with some draft compensation as well for positive assets-
I feel like they do it in the end…they free up for the big 2021 offseason, add a draft pick, and maybe hit on another young gem like SAG as well
Odd spot for them, they probably prayed to be in this spot when they dealt West a yr ago but Now that they have all played so well together they might just keep the whole band together (sans Danillo maybe) for the next year with Paul SAG Adams Schroeder and a little money to spend with multiple draft picks
Millsap would be rock solid on so many playoff teams.
Miami should target him on a 1 or 2 year deal. Him and Adebayo would be nice, and I’d rather have him over Kelly Okynyk or Meyers Leonard who is set to hit FA
Yes I think my suggestion of 2/$38 will be more accurate the writer’s basically 2/$23. Denver is on a defensive kick, and esp if they lose Mason Plumlee, should want Millsap back.
Of course they gave up a first for Grant and he is coming around finally.
Not a huge Jazz fan but do like the look of the heat. Thinking Millsap at 35 might want to be closer to home in Louisiana, plus Miami in general is just a nicer place to be than Denver.
Plus I think the chance of winning a title might be higher with the heat. They have a great GM, Coach and Culture. Plus a good group of players Butler Adebayo Herro Nunn Iggy Robinson.
Totally agree with Miami been a nicer place than Denver but no way they have a better chance at a ring than Denver, I mean Miami’s better player right now is Bam, Denver’s Jokic, enough said, right?