After watching the 2nd game of the Utah Jazz Los Angeles Lakers series and I heard that the Jazz had just lost their 16th straight game at the Staples Center, I thought to myself "Gee, have the Jazz management been watching the same league the fans are?" Let's say I'm the GM of the Utah Jazz (we would have won 3 titles by now) and I know in the back of my mind "Well hell, the Lakers are the team to beat, what do I need to do to compete against them?" Anyone on earth can answer this question, it's size and a defensive minded center. Now, I don't know if Kevin O'Connor is waiting for Carlos Boozer to grow a pair of nuts or if he's waiting for Paul Millsap to grow another 6 inches but you'd think the man would have enough brains to make a change. Realistically, besides drafting Paul Millsap, finding Wes Matthews, and trading for Korver, what has O'Connor done? (chirp, chirp, chirp). We know that Mehmet Okur is not the answer, we know that playing Carlos Boozer with Paul Millsap isn't the answer (I seriously question Sloans thinking here), and we know that the two seven footers wearing diapers on the bench (Fes and Koufous) aren't the answers. So let's discuss some moves that make the Jazz better and of course some of the moves may not be reaslistic, but this is my blog not yours, so eat me.
We know that Andrei Kirilenko's contract is going to be a hot commodity this Summer, why you say? Because his deal expires next year, and teams will be looking to get rid of contracts. So......
Brendan Haywood - The Haywood experiment didn't work in Dallas obviously because he's making tee times in his home town of North Carolina. Haywood is a legitimate active seven footer. He blocks shots, he rebounds, and every once in awhile will give you garbage points. The Jazz don't need more offense, we need defense, Haywood comes in and starts immediately. You start: Williams, Matthews, Kirilenko, Boozer/Millsap, Haywood. Okur with Millsap, if Boozer stays, comes off the bench to make our bench deeper. You combat the Lakers length with Haywood (7 feet) and Okur off the bench (7 feet).
Yao Ming - This would be a huge gamble for the Jazz, I don't think Houston does it, but you make the offer. Houston I think will go into full blown rebuilding mode and they are sick of Yao being injured. Two offers : First - You offer Anderi Kirilenko's expiring contract, the first round pick we get from New York, and our regular first round pick for Yao Ming. Second - You sign and trade Carlos Boozer, and New York's first round pick, and CJ Miles for Yao Ming. Here's why I like it : Houston gets a low post presence in Boozer long term, they get a nice young player in CJ Miles, and what looks like to be a top 10 pick. The Jazz get 7'7" Yao Ming and some serious height. Guess what? Yao's deal expires after next year, so what do we have to lose? If all else fails, Kirilenko comes off the books after next year, and Yao's contract would come off the books next year. Can you imagine : Williams, Matthews, Kirilenko/Miles (Depending on what offer they take) Millsap/Boozer and Yao Ming. Wow I just got extremely excited, excuse me while I grab a pillow.
Tyson Chandler - Chandler is on the books for one more year at 12.75 million. So, we offer Charlotte Andrei Kirilenko's expiring deal for Tyson Chandler and DJ Augustin. Charlotte gets cap space relief do to Kirilenko's expriring deal, we take back the same amount of contracts, pick up a nice backup point guard, and we get immediate help at the center position. Now if only Chandler could stay healhty and not sit out every game whenever he gets a hang nail.
Joel Pryzbilla - Pryzbilla gives us a 7'1" banger down on a block that we have never had. Pryzbilla is on the books in Portland for 7 million next year and Portland will be looking to shop him. Especially with Oden signed and Camby working on an extension. We could trade a 2nd round pick and cash considerations to Portland for Pryzbilla's services. So we'd start Williams, Matthews, Kirilenko, Okur/Millsap & Pryzbilla. Bringing in Pryzbilla means we would say goodbye to Boozer but we'd still be able to bring back Korver at 3 or 4 million a year.
Samuel Dalembert - The poor man's Diekembe Mutombo would fit in nicely with the Jazz. A legitimate shot blocker that won't command possessions but will command the paint. He is on the block next year for 12. 5 million so we'd have to trade Kirilenko for Samuel Dalembert and Jason Kapono. We kill two birds with one stone, we get a legitimate shot blocker, and we get a shooter to replace Korver in Kapono even though Kapono's contract expires after 2011.
Brad Miller - Guess who is a free agent next year? 7 foot Brad Miller and he will only command the veterans minimum. If we choose not to resign Boozer, that's something the Jazz could offer him. Signing Miller for the vet minimum means we could also bring Korver here. It also still allows us to shop Kirilenko's expiring deal all summer and going into the season.
Above like I say is just a few options the Jazz could look at for next year. I'm not saying this would be a terrific answer, but it's start without damaging our payroll for the next 10 years. And I'm also fine with it because I'm tired of watching 6'6 Millsap and 6'7 Boozer guard two seven footers and us not being able to compete against the Lakers. The deals above would make us better defensively which is what we need desperately. Kevin O'Connor, hopefully you read this blog.
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