The best of Utah Jazz 2019 exit interviews

Dennis Lindsey: "While we have a very good team, the results told us we don't have a great team."

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 25, 2019

"Derrick Favors isn't part of the problem. He's part of the solution," Dennis Lindsey says

— Ryan McDonald (@ryanwmcdonald) April 25, 2019

Lindsey on whether Favors/Gobert can coexist on the same roster: "Absolutely. Derrick can do certain things Rudy can't do, and Rudy can do some things no other human in the world can do. It's a false narrative."

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 25, 2019

Dennis: "We've had quite a few opportunities to say yes" to big-name free-agents, but the "opportunity cost" hasn't been worth the "production cost"

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Dennis: "Look, [Donovan is] 22. … It took James Harden awhile to get to the peak of his powers. … We'll grow him into one of the most significant players in the league."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Dennis: Ricky's "greatest trait is his empathy and his care factor. … That's why you saw him play so well against Houston. He was fighting."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Dennis Lindsey on Rubio at the trade deadline: "Unfortunately a team leaked something, and it was unethical. ... There are a lot of scenarios where we think Ricky could be back."

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 25, 2019

Ricky on trade rumors: "Imagine going to work knowing your name is out there and it doesn't depend on you if you are going to be there tomorrow. It's uncomfortable."

— Ryan Miller (@millerjryan) April 25, 2019

Ricky: "I gave it all, all I had. Could I have played better? Yeah. But I finished the season with everything I had. … This series, we could have won it. That's why I'm so disappointed. … We had what we needed to win. I don't know why we didn't show it from the beginning."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Ricky on his future: "A lot of friends have asked me, 'Yo, where are you gonna play next year? Can I come visit?' I honestly have no idea. … It depends on a lot of things. … I'm gonna look for the best situation for me with the coach and the team. … I want to be happy."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Ricky, on Donovan: "You can't skip a bad stretch. There's nobody in this league who has it perfect. … I tried always to stay positive [with him]." Emphasized seeing the bigger picture rather than what's happening in the moment. "It's been a blessing having him as a teammate."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Rubio: I don't have any idea where I'm going to play next year.

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 25, 2019

Derrick Favors on his approach to the off-season: “I would prefer to come back here. The grass ain’t always greener on the other side.”

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) April 25, 2019

Derrick: "The guys who I hang out with in the offseason, they always ask, 'How is Utah?' I tell them it's a little different, but it grows on you. … I think guys around the league are thinking about Utah."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Derrick Favors: “I prefer to come back, I love it here.” pic.twitter.com/9acHp5EDPO

— ESPN 700 (@ESPN700) April 25, 2019

Donovan's self-evaluation: "It was tough. … I only really had a few good months. … There's a lot I can improve on. … But through all the struggles, we got 50 wins, we battled the Houston Rockets."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Donovan, on pitching to free agents: "We have the DPOY; we have myself, who's still getting better; we have an incredible group of unselfish players. … From top to bottom, we have a whole group of unselfish players. We want to win — we don't care about the individual stuff."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Donovan Mitchell on what he needs to improve at this off-season: “Better shape. I’ll just leave it at that.”

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) April 25, 2019

Donovan: "If you would've told me 3 years ago Dwyane Wade would be talking to me about working out this summer after a tough loss, I wouldn't have believed you. But he's right — we've got to work. … I'm really excited to get to work and to do what I've got to do."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Rudy: "We all need to have a championship on our minds. Not in the playoffs — it starts right now. … There's not a lot of teams that can do what we do. … We're still a young team — it's gonna keep getting better every year. We're right there."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Rudy: "We all love each other. It's not every year i can say that. … But at the same time … every team that wants to win has to make tough decisions. We're all kind of prepared for that. Nobody's safe. We all saw Blake Griffin get traded a year ago."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Gobert: "I want to take it to the next level. I've been putting too many limits on myself and what I can be for this team."

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 25, 2019

Jingles: "Our team genuinely enjoys being around each other. … If they need me to FaceTime Fav again, I'll do it. … There's always changes. But I still believe what we've got, with maybe adding a piece or two, can be a special group that does special things."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Jingles, on dealing with growing popularity: "The whole year for me was tough, dealing with Jacob. … Nothing else really mattered. That stuff was great, I had fun doing it all. It brings you closer as a group. … But it was by far the toughest year of my career."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Ingles: "It kills me inside to know I wasn't able to help my team as much as I could have and should have.... I'm going to drive right every time now."

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 25, 2019

Joe Ingles addresses the media during his exit interview with a hoodie that reads “...never too high, never too low...” which is a slogan often used by teammate Ricky Rubio. pic.twitter.com/P2Ie89V4Ho

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) April 25, 2019

Jae: "I was telling Donovan last night, 'Growing hurts. … You're gonna have things not go your way. … It's how you channel that hurt and anger. … Going from good to great is the hardest thing in the NBA."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Jae Crowder: “I’ll recruit, I have a lot of friends. I will do my part.” pic.twitter.com/CQ7R6DF5zk

— ESPN 700 (@ESPN700) April 25, 2019

Jae Crowder will try and recruit some pieces to Utah this offseason. Cites winning as his sales pitch.

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) April 25, 2019

Royce, on his role as a teammate: "Bringing a lot of energy, support; bringing guys up when they're down. A perfect example is Ekpe — he helped me and Donovan out so much this season. I'm just trying to follow his example."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Royce, on the playoffs: "Those were big moments. … Me having confidence in myself, my teammates and coaches believing in me."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019

Korver on retirement possibility: "I still love playing basketball. For me, personally, it's been a long few years. Having a marriage, three kids, trying to balance it all. That's probably where I'm at, weighing that cost. That'll be something I sit down with me and my family."

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 25, 2019

Georges, on his summer plans: "I'm going to continue to work on my body and become the Greek god I know I can be."

— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) April 25, 2019