[bloodshyParticipant]

Last night I had a dream that the Utah Jazz (my team) traded Al Jefferson and Alec Burks for Roy Hibbert. After getting up I compared stats on Al/Roy:

Al Jefferson: 22.88 PER, 19.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 2.2 APG, .8 SPG, 1.0 TOV, .492 FG%, .774 FT%

Roy Hibbert: 19.35 PER, 12.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 1.7 APG, .5 SPG, 2.0 TOV, .497 FG%, .711 FT%

It’s clear Al is more productive than Roy. He’s a much more skilled player on offense, scoring at a much higher rate with nearly identical efficiency. Additionally, Al appears to be a better passer and Hibbert turns the ball over twice as much despite fewer touches. Hibbert has a slight edge on blocks, but is behind in steals by the exact same margin, making their common defensive measurables virtually identical.

Other issues to consider include age (Al is 27, Roy is 25), contract (Al in final year at $15M, Roy in first year of a max deal starting at $13.6M), and size (Al is 6’10/270, Roy is 7’2/270). Additionally, although I haven’t done the data mining on this, I suspect Roy is better defensively in advanced stats than Al by a significant margin, but I can’t back this up.

Overall, despite Al’s production, I prefer Hibbert. I think his ceiling is higher and I like that he gets his production without the offense running through him very often. I also like the fact that he’s a pure center. However, Burks is an explosive scorer at the 2 with huge potential, which is something the Pacers could use and I’m sure the Jazz see him taking a significant role in their future. Also, the Pacers were very slow to match Hibbert’s max deal, indicating they barely value him at his current contract price. Al with an expiring deal would give them flexibility (and risk) and Burks would give them a low priced commodoty that is likely ready to produce. Hibbert would lock up major salary cap space for Utah, which the Jazz may or may not want, but a Hibber/Favors front court would be an amazing defensive tandem the Jazz would love to have.

Fans from both sides: If you woke up this morning and the Jazz/Pacers had already traded Burks/Jefferson for Hibbert, how would you feel about it?

[kobyzParticipant]

Hibbert is very far from reaching his potential, his combination of skills and iq for his size is unbelievable, he is just need to keep developing a mean streak and play with more demand and authority.

[mcbaileyParticipant]

 I wouldn’t trade Hibbert for Al straight up for the reasons kobyz just mentioned, but I’m a fan of Burks. That might make me more inclined to do it.

[lisergxParticipant]

 Next Mark Eaton for the Jazz?! Lol but I wouldn’t want to  lose Burks

[WinterSoldierParticipant]

I don’t like the Idea of losing Burks who I think has a much better upside than Hayward. If we had to give up one of our young wings I would give up Hayward anyday before Burks. The only good thing about the trade is Burks and George playing on the same team I only wish that team were the Jazz and not the Pacers.

[CodySLCParticipant]

I think to trade Alec Burks this early in his career wouldn’t be very smart.

Also if we traded for Hibbert does that mean that we would make Enes Kanter a career backup with Favors at the 4? That doesn’t make sence either. He’s been working hard this offseason check out this pic of him.

https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/241257535003299840/photo/1/large

 

[Pick-and-nothingParticipant]

 @codySLC -This is exactly right. Why in the world would the Jazz trade the upside and high draft position investments of both Kanter and Burks for the upside of hibbert? Who is to say that Kanter and Burks upside each individually isn’t higher than Hibberts? Hibbert is good but he wouldn’t of been an All-Star selection out west. 

Hate to say, but big AL is meaningless to the franchise at this point. He is a unique player in the league but his defense makes his trade value kind of low. I think Utah gets rid of him anyway and that makes this trade kanters future role + Burks for Hibbert.

 

No.

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Jefferson is a much better offensive player than Hibbert..And Big Al is 1 of the top 5 post players in the game….But Hibbert’s combination of size,length and ability to take up space both defensively & offensively in the paint, is rare today…

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

The numbers may not say, but I’d prefer to have Hibbert over Big Al. Hibbert is still getting better and I think he can make a bigger impact at both ends of the floor.

However, the Pacers getting a legit low post center and two guard of the future to pair on the perimeter with Paul George isn’t too bad.

 

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