[HazelParticipant]

This seems like the year the Jazz go all in on getting to the next level. The season the just ended they were still below the minimum salary, so it feels like they are ready to spend having spent a decade well below the tax line and given their successful season. In the past they have paid when contending felt like a realistic possibility.

It is a given they need to resign Hayward. Hayward wants to see improvement, so here is what I would do:

Go after Paul Millsap. He is familiar with and really enjoyed Utah. He is also the perfect fit next to Gobert. He can be signed before Hayward like San Antonio did with Aldridge so that there is cap space.

He does everything the Jazz lacked. He rebounds, defends, passes and most importantly scores well from the four. They were 4 on 5 with Diaw; Favors is not as good a fit and the others are still too young.

Re-sign Hill if possible.
If they get Millsap and pick well in the draft, I believe they will be as close as anyone to competing with GS, as I expect dramatic playoff improvement from Hill, Exum, Hood, Favors, and Gobert. All three have had significant (or untimely in Gobert’s situation) injuries that kept them from performing at their best in the playoffs.

If they feel they still need another star player then:
A:Offer what was suggested on an earlier thread to Indiana for George or a similar package to Chicago for Butler. Hood, Exum, Burks, Favors draft picks, Lyles. All are options. (I think this trade is more likely at the trade deadline if Indiana still has George and things are looking bleak about resigning.)

If Hill is lost:
B: Offer a much smaller package for McCollum who will provide scoring punch but leaves a lot to be desired defensively.
C: Trade Favors and Burks to Phoenix for Eric Bledsoe This balances out the Phoenix roster and allows Booker to play PG more often. Utah gets a player a little younger than Hill with a similar offensive game and defensive ability. It also saves $.

Some of these trades seem lopsided given last year’s production, but taking into account last healthy year of these players and their relative youth, I don’t think it is that bad or far fetched by all-star break.

Dream Scenario:
Hill
George
Hayward
Millsap
Gobert

Bench
Joe Johnson
Joe Ingles
Neto/Mack
Lyles
Diaw
Bolomboy
Withey

Most realistic possibility
Hill
Hood
Hayward
Millsap
Gobert

Bench
Favors
Joe Johnson
Joe Ingles
Exum
Lyles

Lastly: The Jazz have too many assets in the form of 5th to 8th man talent and draft picks. At the very least, I see them packaging something to move up in the draft or to get a Hill-type player like last year. That said, is this the year they get to start keeping 17 players on NBA rosters?

[danumanParticipant]

The Jazz have 4 picks in the 2017 draft, 2 first round, and two 2nd round.

If they have a market for Hood, Burks, or Favors, they should be included in any deal that nets an upgrade.

Trade #1: Chicago & Utah

Utah gets: Jimmy Butler and Chicago’s 2022 1st round pick (Top 10 protected).

Chicago gets: Rodney Hood, Trey Lyles, Alec Burks, and the Jazz’s 2020 first round pick (Top 4 protected).

Utah gets the 2nd star to go with Gordon Hayward as well as an upgrade defensively, and the opportunity to vault into the Top 2 in the Western Conference, as well as a future asset to use for other trades, or keep if they need a high pick by that time.

Chicago, facing a rebuild this offseason, gets a head start by adding a young starter at SG/SF in Hood, a good backup guard in Burks, and a young rotation big in Lyles who lost playing time to Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, and Boris Diaw this year.  The Jazz’s 2020 first rounder is another piece of a new Bulls team, or an asset for down the road in other trades.  This deal could also work with Favors or Exum stepping in for Lyles or Hood.  

Trade #2: Milwaukee & Utah

Milwaukee gets: Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, and Utah’s 2017 first round pick (#24).

Utah gets: Kris Middleton

The Jazz need an upgrade to let Gordon Hayward and George Hill know that they are serious about winning now.  Middleton is not an All-Star like Butler, but he’s a deadly shooter from 3 point range and will take a lot of pressure off of both Hill and Hayward.  And Rudy Gobert will have Middleton’s back on defense which will free him up to gamble for steals.

The Bucks need rebounding and supporting players for their young core of Antetokounmpo, Parker, Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon.  Hood will fill in ably at the two and occasionally at the three, and is a better defender than Middleton; Favors will add bulk to the Bucks frontcourt, with a lower price than Greg Monroe and a better mid-range jumper

Trade #3: Indiana & Utah

Utah gets: Thaddeus Young

Indiana gets: Alec Burks and Trey Lyles

This is a deal that fills a hole at the 4 for the Jazz, giving them a strong contributor in Young, who hit .381 from 3 point range in 2016-17 and should slot in well next to Gobert up front, as Utah makes a realistic move to win now in the West.  

For the Pacers, they pick up a young, talented forward on a low-cost contract to audition next to Myles Turner, and a guard in Burks that should solidify the backcourt rotation after the disasterous Monta Ellis experiment.

Trade #4: Phoenix & Utah

Utah gets: Eric Bledsoe

Phoenix gets: Dante Exum, Derrick Favors, and Utah’s 1st round pick in 2019 (Top 4 protected).

If Utah decides prior to the draft that they cannot retain George Hill (and possibly Hayward as well) then they will need a new star player that can create and score.  Bledsoe will come cheaper than any other point guard out there, and needs a change of scenery from Phoenix after the past two years.

The Suns get help with their rebuild as Exum should blossom in a faster offense and next to Booker.  Favors will help in the frontcourt, where Alex Len has been a disappointment and Tyson Chandler is aging quickly.  The Jazz 1st rounder will come in handy as a tradeable asset as the Suns continue to build this team for 2018-19.

Any of these would help the Jazz build towards a better future in the Western Conference and could be consumnated prior to draft day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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