Wow. I can't believe the way the Deron trade went down. Adrian Wojnarowski was on the Score with the Morning Jones and said this is how it essentially went down on Tuesday:
King: So, what can we do to get AK for Troy Murphy and another player?
Some back and forth ensued and they ultimately couldn't come to a deal
KOC: Well, is there anybody else you have interest in?
King: How about Deron Williams? (many HaHas ensued but they all came out of King)
KOC: Well,how about it? Favors would have to be in the deal
Amazing. So an inquiry for AK turned into the Jazz trading away their franchise player.
(thanks to Reds Army for the tip and the great analogy)
I posed the question on twitter whether or not the Jazz should tank or make a playoff push. If they don't make the playoffs, they get their own pick this year. Otherwise they'll only have the Nets pick. So would you prefer to have that second pick in this year's draft which could be very poor or make the playoffs and see what they can do?
First, I think the Jazz as an organization wouldn't tank. Second, there's not a LeBron or Duncan player in this draft as pointed out by UtesFan89.
If they make the playoffs, there's that extra cash that comes from hosting playoff games and that revenue would bolster the team a bit. So I guess you're weighing whether or not that second first-round draft pick is going to be worth more than some playoff dollars.
Deron's trade was a clear signal that the team is going in a completely different direction. They weren't showing that they were a contender before the trade and they certainly aren't now. If the Jazz were in the top 3 of the conference, there's no way this trade gets done.
If that's the way that the organization is going, then the long-term benefit would be the draft pick, even in a poor draft. It could be sold, traded, or used for the future. And that's where we're at with this team.
So I know they won't tank, if they don't make the playoffs, it's not going to be the worst thing for the team. I haven't known what that's felt like in a long time.
I have no idea what to do with this spot. I'm still working on my Deron Williams magnum opus so it may sit a while until that's done. It also doesn't seem right to change it back to a three. At the same time I'll have to move on as well.
Any ideas? Maybe 1, 2, 4, 5, 6?
I'll be shocked if there isn't another move today. The latest talk from Berger is Raja Bell for draft picks but that it's not likely to happen until the draft. I'll get an open thread up today starting at 11 or earlier if something goes down.
Thursday open poll... Now that you've had 24 hours to digest is your team outlook better or worse?