2022-23 Team Developments: News / Trades / Free Agents / Rumors

As it stands, we are maybe a 7th to 8th seed? Maybe. Maybe we sneak into the top 6 of things break right.

But yeah, barring a major change to this roster, it isn't competing for a title, IMO. Should be better than last year, but that isn't saying much, lol.

 

Ainge no doubt remembers how the AD trade was engineered to not give Boston a chance. Of course big part of that is Boston's past behavior with their own players, specifically IT recently in everyone's memory at that time.

 

You’re right, that team COULD be much better than a 7th seed.

Or maybe at age 35, we get less of the Conley we want and more of the Conley that just averaged 9 points on 33% FG% and 20% 3P% in the playoffs. Maybe at age 33, Bogdanovic who already has defensive metrics as bad as Hield becomes unplayable on a roster like ours that doesn’t have enough defense to hide him.

For one FRP, I probably take the gamble that those situations play out enough in our favor.

But I’m getting more and more the feeling that nobody is taking Russ without both picks.

On paper I think we can put up reasonable arguments for why a trade with just one pick would be favorable for both sides, but I think at this point the public perception around Westbrook’s value has been poisoned and that’s a real factor in negotiations. Opposing teams aren’t going to want to piss off their fans and “lose” the deal with the Lakers after a summer of the media hammering into everyone’s heads that Westbrook’s expiring contract is somehow an untradeable albatross.

So if there are deals to be had out there for one FRP, sure let’s explore them. But if other teams are still looking like they’re negotiating in bad faith and making unreasonable demands, then screw em. Bite the bullet, manage expectations, and go into the season as is.

 

all this. and as i've said a few times--if we stand pat, regardless our outcome, some of the teams that played hardball with us will wish they hadn't. the lakers will probably be ok in any case, but indiana, san antonio, utah, charlotte, ny, etc....may not.

and i remind myself periodically how glad i was that we didn't cave at the deadline for even lesser deals than those discussed now.

 

HIS GAME MISSED GOES UP EVERY NEW INJURY IN HIS CAREER

 

Why would they give us 4 rotation guys, three among the above average tier of the league for one FRP and a guy who we are desperate to move.

Think like this. Imagine team A has blown up and is trading all their team, who led them to 6 straight playoff appearances in the West, a best record in the Conference and 3 Semis. That's a pretty solid team with good players. And team B comes to you and offers the worst guy on their team. A guy unplayable by this team, who NEEDS to compete for titles every single year and his presence denies that ability. They attach one single pick. Would you give 4 of your last 5 rotation players in that scenario?

Also, one year ago that player was at a high, coming of a triple double avg in the regular season. We gave 3 rotational players and one pick. After a terrible year, he's worth more?

These things matter and define the valuation by the market. If you know you're dealing with someone desperate, you leverage on that


So, yeah. I would give 2 picks for 3 rotational pieces of Utah or Hield/Turner to get rid of Russ. We need to be competitive and not a joke if we want the next superstar. If Russ stays, there's a big chance it will be a nightmare like last year was. Even if we don't compete for a title, we get good assets that can contribute now and have acceptable contracts to follow LeBron and AD window. We may get picks for them in the future, if we care about picks and we get 2/3 guys who will make us a stronger team that is in the playoffs every year for the next 2/3 years. That is the way you convince someone to want to take the reigns after LeBron.

 

Thats kind of nit-picky tbh. He has dealt with some injuries here and there, but nothing too crazy. Besides, I dont expect this guy to carry us or anything like that. Just split time with Beverly (maybe 24mpg) and minimal ball handling duties. At the "1", we just need dudes that could shoot and defend the opposing PG. Lebron/Reaves cover majority of ball handling duties. I mean the guy played in 79% of his career NBA games. There are many NBA players that have done worse.

 

DS could be an option for Dallas according to Stein

 

Yeah agree with Showtime that chart doesn’t seem to prove any point and for a small PG playing in a league of big dudes, if 79% of games played over his career is true, that’s certainly not a damning statistic either when you factor in all the chances for, and actually sustained, s*** happens type injuries that I’m just guessing are included. And especially with him having finished this season with 72 played. Heck he’s trending upward toward “iron man”.

 

Why would they do that deal? It essentially clears them of their long term salary with Clarkson, Gay (player options) and Mike Conley ($14M guarantee). Utah has Malik Beasley but his last year is a team option. It also saves them 8 million, which means they're about $11M away from the tax. They also get a 1st round pick. The Lakers might have to throw in an extra second rounder or two, but I'd still do that.

If they do that trade and THT opts out, basically the only guaranteed salary is Colin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and a few small rookie contracts.

 

He would have demanded at least 4 Firsts from us- Laker vs Boston tax.

 

yea maybe that's your opinion one move I wouldn't make

 

That looks like a BS account. Laker twitter guys are probably juts bored

 

So, Lakers weren't going to drop their picks for the two in Indiana that actually fill their needs for a bunch of dead pans in Utah?

 

How does Hield fill our needs again? One trick pony who's one trick produced 36% from 3 last year? This guy is MLE at best.

 

counterpoint--do they actually want to have THAT much cap space? nobody is signing there, and the FA market is junk next year. they already have enough expirings and picks to jump on a disgruntled star without gathering more.

to me, the main reason for the jazz to make a move like this is to do right by conley and bogdanovic, who are nearing the end of their careers and likely don't want play for a tanking squad.