Having traded away Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Royce O’Neale so far this offseason, the Jazz may still have more moves to make before the season begins, but they’re not feeling any urgency to continue selling off their veteran players, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said this week during an appearance on NBA Today (YouTube link).
“It feels like they have a lot more business to do. The question is when do they do that business,” Shelburne said. “They still have Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley. The sense around the league is that the Jazz at least feel they have deals for all of those veteran players – if and when they want them – where they would return a first-round pick for each of these kind of players. But my sense in talking to people close to these conversations is the Jazz are not in any hurry to make these decisions now.”
The general sense is that the Jazz are hoping to put themselves in position to claim a top pick in the 2023 draft, where they could potentially land a cornerstone player. However, Shelburne suggested that Utah isn’t necessarily in full tanking mode quite yet.
“I was actually assured by somebody close to the situation the other day that if this group gets out there and plays well, if they start off well, they’ll let them play,” she said. “There’s a reset going on and they have players and veterans that have value to teams that are trying to contend this year. But if this group that they have right now – with the new coach Will Hardy and the young players they got that they’re very high on – if they start out well, they’re going to let them play a while. They’re not in any hurry.”
Here’s more out of Utah:
- Within the same NBA Today segment, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst speculated that Jazz CEO Danny Ainge‘s comments earlier this week about the Jazz players not believing in one another were probably toned down by about 50-75% compared to how he really felt — in other words, Ainge really wasn’t high on the team’s current roster and outlook entering this summer, which is why he felt compelled to blow things up.
- Given the sizable hauls the Jazz received in the Mitchell deal and (especially) the Gobert blockbuster, team executives around the NBA are wary of what the trade market will look like going forward, writes Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. “I’m just dreading all (the) ridiculous stuff people are going to be asking me for now before we can get down to real business,” one exec said.
- Despite the newfound collection of future draft assets the Jazz hold, not everyone is convinced Utah’s rebuild will be as successful as the one Ainge oversaw in Boston. “He really hit on some of those picks he got, but, remember, they also got (Al) Horford and (Gordon) Hayward to come there as free agents,” a source told Bulpett. “I know Hayward didn’t work out like they wanted; that injury was tough. But those guys were top free agents. I think Danny’s going to find it harder to attract big-time free agents in Utah.”
- Sarah Todd of The Deseret News takes a look at the factors that contributed to Utah’s decision to rebuild, arguing that while the Jazz have enjoyed plenty of regular season success in recent years, it feels as if it’s been a while since they had a legitimate shot at a title.
I still doubt any of those pick swaps with Cavs or Wolves even happen and the picks they will get will all be in the 20’s.
There are a couple that won’t convey until the 2027-29 range that could go in the lottery, especially with the Wolves as Rudy will be in his mid 30’s. However I don’t think anyone has the stomach for a 5-7 year rebuild. They need to bottom out now and use their own picks to aquire players like Wembanyama, Henderson or Smith then the same in the following draft. After that cash in all those mediocre picks left over for the next disgruntled star.
Luka struggling to get going here in the 1st as Poland takes a 6pt lead late in the qtr
Wonderboy was held in check by the Poles for most of the 1st but he buried a late trey that cut the lead in half but maybe more importantly lit a spark for him offensively
On cue Luka throws an alley to Cancar then gets a block on the 1st 2 possessions of the 2nd qtr. He’s warming up
Now, a few turnovers & missed shots later he’s looking rattled again. Poland has missed a bunch of layups but their fans are extremely hype & they’re working with a 11pt lead w/ 6mins left in the half
Luka acting like his back is hurting after he just airballed a layup but I’m thinking it might just be his pride hurting. Poland has a distinct home court adv feel, all of the momentum & a 15pt lead w/ 4mins to go in the half
Man this Polish squad is playing some gorgeous basketball rn. 23pt lead for em w/ 90secs to go before Cancar finally breaks their run w/ an and1
Luka limping into the locker room at half. His step back trey right before half cut Polands lead to 19 & gave him 9 for the game so far. Definitely his & Slovenias worst half of the tourney. Poland scoring at ease in the halfcourt, winning the boards, shooting better, forcing way more turnovers, killing Slovenia in transition AND largely shutting down their best player. Still 20mins left tho
1st of those 20mins has gone perfect for Slovenia so far. Luka buried a trey to start things, then they force a turnover & get a fastbreak lay. Luka still wincing in pain alot
Poland has scored a whole 2pts in the 1st 6mins of the 2nd half. Their precious lead is down to 6…
Slovenia has been completely dominant in this 3rd qtr & that’s the only way to really say it… 21-3 in the qtr so far. They’re still up 1 w/ 2mins left but theyre def playin like wet trash tho
Back2back turnovers from Luka stop the Slovenes momentum in its tracks. Can Poland take advantage tho
Slovenia playing with way more energy & edge rn. They’ve taken the lead for what may be the 1st time in the game & are up 3 w/8mins to go
AJ Slaughter been missing treys all game but nails a big 1 to bring Poland w/i a pt of the lead w/ under 6 to go. So many wild momentum swings in this game. Very NCAA tournament like
Luka just picked up a tech for arguing, Slaughter is balling out here in the 4th & Poland has a 3pt lead w/ 4mins left
Oh snap. Luka just fouled out. He had a pretty bad game but if you’re Slovenia u obv rather he was out there in crunch time. Goran, you’re up
AJ Slaughter has taken over. His incredible lay boosts the Polish lead to 8 w/ 2:30 left
Ponitka was Polands best player in tge 1st half when they built their cushion & his big trey might gave just sealed it. 9pt lead for Poland with a min left
Omg Poland just gave up 6 straight pts in 30secs & Slovenia is somehow back in it. Poland up 3 w/ the ball. They’re gonna need to stop turning the ball over
Wow lol what a crazy ending. Poland escapes by the skin of their teeth. Jokic, Giannis, Luka all bounced without a medal
Who are you doing this for?
The culture, duh
Sadly, I think you actually believe that. Carry on.
Next yrs draft only comes once. There are already a few teams getting ready for a top three pick. Utah imo will be one of them. But they can take a good look at Sexton and Lauri. Plus they can’t be traded for awhile anyway. Definitely moving the vets, Conley, Bogdanovic, Beasley, Gay. All can bring back picks.
I would think Lakers would be in on a deal here. Westbrook plus picks can net Bogdanovic. Conley, Gay. Then Jazz can just buy out Westbrook. Move Beasley for a pick. Buyout Westbrook and the Tanking can begin.
I can’t see Jazz as bottom three with Lauri and Sexton playing major mins. So I would think for the right deal. Both also can be moved. If not and they see a future with them. A top 10 pick plus other picks they get, have. They can use to move up. Or use the lottery next yr to find talent. Lottery is deep with talent next yr.
People have really run with Ramona’s take on the situation. Guess it’s the first time daylight has been given on the Jazz having trade offers already. She makes it sound like they do. If you’re not one of those teams then probably get on that.
The Jazz, like I’ve been saying on previous trades, need incentive to take action now. They clearly aren’t afraid to pull the trigger on any trade.
Jazz cleaned up nice in their trades so far. I think they should look at adding a big man that can start. I can’t imagine Doke or Kessler starting gm1 of the season. Steven Adams was basically a non factor for Memphis in the postseason. Maybe something like.. Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson & Rudy Gay to Memphis for Steven Adams, Danny Green, Santiago Aldama, (Jake LaRavia or David Roddy), GSW’s 2024 1st (top4 protected) & Mem’s 2025 1st (lotto protected) could work for both teams
Rudy comes back to the team he was best on imo & takes Kyle Andersons spot. Clarkson could play a huge role as an elite 2nd unit scoring guard. Bojan been a killer for the longest & has yet to show signs of slowing down. He could start for them if they go with Ja/Bane/Dillon/Bojan/JJJ. Or he could be like Aguirre with the Bad Boys as a hard to stop scoring forward off the bench
If someone gives up a first round pick for Mike Conley they should go to jail.
Utah needs to attach a 1st with Conley to move him hes so far over the hill.
I assume you’re both Laker fans desperate for another 1st round pick. Lol
Remember, not all 1st round picks are the same value. A GSW or Boston pick wouldn’t nearly be as valuable as a Spurs or Jazz pick right now.
Plus, perception is not reality. Conley still plays hard and good defense. He’s a deadly 3-point shooter and has that nice floater. His usage is entirely based on what team he’s being sent to. You honestly think he’s not better than say George Hill?
If the Jazz could at least trade him for a young player and salary then that’d be good. The trouble though is their roster logjam. Can’t take back more contracts than they send out collectively.
Let them play? Lol that’s the worst case scenario. All older vets. Get the assets, move on.