Utah signs Francisco Elson and the Nets sign Joe Smith
Utah needed an athletic big in the front court..Jefferson,Millsaps and Okur arent very athletic..
But the Nets signing Joe Smith is a nice move..Smith has been solid his entire career..Even though he's been a major disappointment for a number 1 overall pick..He's had a solid career..And even though he's been in the league for 16 years..He can give you decent numbers and capable of blocking shots..Smith is a nice vet to have off your bench and he will be a good mentor for Favors & Damion James..Plus he can backup Lopez...
Elson gives Utah an experienced big with play off experience who can fill the odd minutes around their main three man frontcourt rotation. Joe Smith will be a useful guy to help mentor Derrick Favours and he can work with him on a one to one basis as Smith may not see a huge amount of minutes with Lopez, Murphy, Favours and Outlaw in the frontcourt but he can help Lopez reduce his minutes which will help Brook long term
I don't see the Nets being good this year, better than last year, but still a lottery team. I agree that they don't need to butcher the team for Melo. Best case when Melo becomes a free agent he goes there. The worst case is trading a bunch of assets for him, then he leaves your team the following season.
Wow New Jersey quietly gets one of the top FA signings this year. Smith maybe the perfect mentor for Favors not just for one year like Murphy but a nice piece to guide Favors through the NBA, sort of like Foyle to Howard. Smith should be able to show Favors what he needs to do to NOT become a bust like he did. Not only that but this gives the New Jersey team great leadership which they do lack despite their large abundance of talent. New Jersey's management just keeps on making great decisions.
According to sources the Utah Jazz have agreed in priciple to sign Francisco Elson to a guaranteed contract. He is in the netherlands right now so whenevr he comes back to the states and passes a physical the deal will be completed.
Also according to sources the New Jersey Nets are expected to sign Joe Smith. The former number one pick is scheduled to take a physical today to help complete the deal. Smith will sign with the Nets if he passes his physical.
Thoughts?