The sale agreement that will transfer controlling interest of the Jazz from the Miller family to Ryan Smith is a “seismic change” for the franchise, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic. However, it remains to be seen whether the average fan will notice the impact of the change in team ownership.
As Jones points out, the coming offseason will be a good early test to see how Smith intends to run the team. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are both eligible for extensions, while Jordan Clarkson is a free agent and the Jazz would also like to fortify their roster with another solid rotation player, if possible.
Re-signing Clarkson and using the mid-level exception on an outside free agent may put Utah into tax territory, which is something the Miller family generally avoided — but if the Jazz are willing to go into the tax in Smith’s first year at the helm, it would bode well for his willingness to spend going forward.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- The sale price for the Jazz ($1.66 billion) should be encouraging to Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who is exploring the sale of his own franchise. However, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst observes in an appearance on Darren Wolfson The Scoop podcast (audio clip), Taylor hasn’t wavered from his stance that any buyer must keep the team in Minnesota, which will limit his ability to maximize the value of the team in any sale.
- The Timberwolves finished the 2019/20 season just slightly over the tax line as a result of their deadline trade, a source confirms to Dane Moore of News Talk 830 WCCO (Twitter link). However, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets, president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas is confident the team will stay out of the tax in 2020/21, reducing the likelihood of repeater penalties down the road.
- The Nuggets are fairly set at point guard with Jamal Murray and Monte Morris under contract, but they shouldn’t rule out the possibility of drafting another one at No. 22 if certain prospect – such as Cole Anthony – are still on the board, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post.
Wolves need to pay at least $30 million luxury tax, otherwise they will be between 13-15 seed in the West.
Suns have 26 million cap room, so they will be better.
Pelicans and Grizzlies will be better too.
Until Taylor sells this team…it’ll go nowhere. He’s proven to be the anchor on this ship.
Nuggets should go all in, trade Gary Harris and Porter for Bradley Beal, resign Grant and let Millsap walk. They don’t need to retain Plumlee, just give more minutes to Bol instead
MPJ is at a high high value right now… if he can land Beal that would allow the Nuggets to go all in on a title.
WAS is not hard-pressed though.
Getting a PG in the draft would be less crucial then. Morris is good one to have extra already.
About Morris… he will need a raise after this year… if the FO is not going to want to pay it, drafting a replacement in 2020 makes sense. Good choices available, though so is Morris!
Clarkson has a gd yr with Jazz. Fact that Conley got hurt helped his mind. I’d love it if Knicks signed Clarkson to play PG. Always liked him. Then adding Okoro in draft would work great. If Jazz are for sale. Then I don’t think they resign anyone now.
Already sold, UTA, not for sale any more, Al!
Anthony Edwards #1 overall to MIN if they keep the pick.