The Jazz

[CFAN38]

It will be a fun off-season to watch what the Ainges do.


Just a little speculation but while people assume the Jazz will push to try to trade up for AJ I can't help thinking that given the organizations connections to Boozer (Carlos joined front office) that he could be the actual target.

The fun begins with the idea of trader Danny sitting at #2 in what is considered a four man top of the draft.

Could we see

#1 Wizards: AJ, highest ceiling prospect and a great fit with their roster

#2 Bulls: Peterson trade with the Jazz #4+ #15 + for #2 this gives the Bulls direction in building around Peterson, Giddey, and Buzelis

#3 Memphis: Wilson, it is being rumored that some teams have him top 1 or 2 in this class. Memphis is known for thinking outside the box and Boozer could put pressure on them to let him fall to #4. Edey/Wilson/Coward is a fun front court to develop

#4 Jazz: Boozer

#15 Jazz: Cam Carr could be on the board and an opton as could Philon or Stirtz,


Then the fun begins Bozzer, JJJ, Lauri, and Kelser is a long jamb at the 4/5. Do the Jazz put Lauri who is turning 29 this week on the trading block?


The teams that miss out of Giannis will likely make aggressive offers for Markkanen putting Ainge in a position of negotiating power.

Do the Celtics throw their hat in? Could White + Hauser + Walsh+ picks for Lauri start a conversation?

Pritchard/Brown/Tatum/Markkanen/Queta is a nice fitting starting 5.

The Jazz could also use Lauri and #15 to pull a Kevin Costner "Draft Day" movie move and move back up into the high lottery.

Lauri + #15 + future pick(s) for #5/#8/#9?

Could they make one of those trades and land a guard out of this stacked guard class?

Potential starting 5 of
George (23)
Burries (20) via #8 pick
Bailey (20)
Boozer (19) via #4 pick
JJJ (26)


This will be fun to see play out
 

[Who]

On the Utah Jazz and trade ideas ...

Utah are in a somewhat awkward position. All those top teams look like they are waiting for Darryn Peterson's medical reports before they decide how worried they are / convinced they are about the creatine causing his issues. If Utah are too worried, the next best prospects are both PFs and Markkanen & Jaren Jackson are already there at PF.

So trade idea. If Utah decide to trade the pick. I was trying to think of a SG they could trade for. There is not much to pick from at the moment. Then I thought about Kon Knueppel in Charlotte.

Knueppel for the #2 pick

Charlotte could draft either Darryn Peterson if they are happy with his medical stuff or draft Cam Boozer if not.

G: LaMelo Ball
G: Brandon Miller
F: Miles Bridges
F: Cam Boozer
C: Diabate

Charlotte finally get to move Miles Bridges back to his natural position at SF. Finally have size at PF in Cam Boozer for the first time in years. The first time since LaMelo has been at the team. Cam Boozer could play a great two man game with LaMelo.

Utah

G: Keyonte George
G: Kon Knueppel
F: Lauri Markkanen
F: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: Walker Kessler

[perks-a-beast]

If I were the Jazz, I wouldnt overthink the draft too much. I would just take Darryn Peterson and call it a day.

They will also have some cap room which I think they should use to get a defense-first guard to pair with George and Peterson in the backcourt. To me, Lu Dort is the perfect target for them. OKC is going to need to shed some salary going forward and they will still have Caruso and Wallace to pick up the slack defensively. Dort has a team option of 18.2 mill. Once that is picked up, I believe he can be traded. Not sure how steep the going rate would be, but I imagine he could be had in exchange for Cody Williams, the Lakers 2027 pick, and maybe more picks.

I think re-signing Kessler is a no-brainer. Not sure what he will demand - 25-30 mill a year sound like the going rate for a player of his caliber in todays league.

PG: Keyonte George , Isaiah Collier
SG: Darryn Peterson , Lu Dort
SF: Lauri Markkanen , Brice Sensabaugh
PF: Jaren Jackson , Ace Bailey
C: Walker Kessler , Kyle Filipowski

Thats a hell of a top 10 with a good mix of offensive and defensive specialists. While I wont go as overboard to say they could surpass the Spurs or Thunder, I wouldnt be surprised if they have a Top 5 record in the West next year.

I may be more high on them moving forward than most - but I am a huge believer in Will Hardy and the front office they have.

[Goldstar88]

If I were the Jazz, I wouldnt overthink the draft too much. I would just take Darryn Peterson and call it a day.

They will also have some cap room which I think they should use to get a defense-first guard to pair with George and Peterson in the backcourt. To me, Lu Dort is the perfect target for them. OKC is going to need to shed some salary going forward and they will still have Caruso and Wallace to pick up the slack defensively. Dort has a team option of 18.2 mill. Once that is picked up, I believe he can be traded. Not sure how steep the going rate would be, but I imagine he could be had in exchange for Cody Williams, the Lakers 2027 pick, and maybe more picks.

I think re-signing Kessler is a no-brainer. Not sure what he will demand - 25-30 mill a year sound like the going rate for a player of his caliber in todays league.

PG: Keyonte George , Isaiah Collier
SG: Darryn Peterson , Lu Dort
SF: Lauri Markkanen , Brice Sensabaugh
PF: Jaren Jackson , Ace Bailey
C: Walker Kessler , Kyle Filipowski

Thats a hell of a top 10 with a good mix of offensive and defensive specialists. While I wont go as overboard to say they could surpass the Spurs or Thunder, I wouldnt be surprised if they have a Top 5 record in the West next year.

I may be more high on them moving forward than most - but I am a huge believer in Will Hardy and the front office they have.

Completely agree. Looks like a really solid team. I also don?t think Washington should trade the #1 pick. Dybansta has too much upside. Think his floor is an Andrew Wiggins type with a ceiling of Tracy McGrady.

[Who]

How about trading the #2 to OKC for J-Dub.

OKC gets cap flexability. They get to keep Dort, Caruso, Harenstein. Ajay Mitchell steps up as the 2nd option. The #2 pick as a future star / superstar. Cam Boozer or Darryn Peterson.

G: SGA, Cason Wallace
G: Ajay Mitchell, Caruso
F: Lu Dort, A Wiggins
F: Chet Holmgren, Cam Boozer
C: Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams

or

G: SGA, Ajay Mitchell
G: Darryn Peterson, Cason Wallace
F: Lu Dort, Caruso
F: Chet Holmgren, A Wiggins
C: Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams

Utah gets J-Dub. He plays SG for them in the backcourt alongside K George. Gives Utah a 2nd ball-handler and passer. Someone to help move the ball. A wing stopper. A top defensive player. A good scorer.

G: Keyonte George, I Collier
G: J-Dub
F: L Markkanen, Ace Bailey
F: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: W Kessler, Filipowski

[Roy H.]

How about trading the #2 to OKC for J-Dub.

OKC gets cap flexability. They get to keep Dort, Caruso, Harenstein. Ajay Mitchell steps up as the 2nd option. The #2 pick as a future star / superstar. Cam Boozer or Darryn Peterson.

G: SGA, Cason Wallace
G: Ajay Mitchell, Caruso
F: Lu Dort, A Wiggins
F: Chet Holmgren, Cam Boozer
C: Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams

or

G: SGA, Ajay Mitchell
G: Darryn Peterson, Cason Wallace
F: Lu Dort, Caruso
F: Chet Holmgren, A Wiggins
C: Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams

Utah gets J-Dub. He plays SG for them in the backcourt alongside K George. Gives Utah a 2nd ball-handler and passer. Someone to help move the ball. A wing stopper. A top defensive player. A good scorer.

G: Keyonte George, I Collier
G: J-Dub
F: L Markkanen, Ace Bailey
F: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: W Kessler, Filipowski

How much does Williams improve Utah's ceiling?  I'd stick with the potential superstar.

[Who]

How about trading the #2 to OKC for J-Dub.

OKC gets cap flexability. They get to keep Dort, Caruso, Harenstein. Ajay Mitchell steps up as the 2nd option. The #2 pick as a future star / superstar. Cam Boozer or Darryn Peterson.

G: SGA, Cason Wallace
G: Ajay Mitchell, Caruso
F: Lu Dort, A Wiggins
F: Chet Holmgren, Cam Boozer
C: Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams

or

G: SGA, Ajay Mitchell
G: Darryn Peterson, Cason Wallace
F: Lu Dort, Caruso
F: Chet Holmgren, A Wiggins
C: Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams

Utah gets J-Dub. He plays SG for them in the backcourt alongside K George. Gives Utah a 2nd ball-handler and passer. Someone to help move the ball. A wing stopper. A top defensive player. A good scorer.

G: Keyonte George, I Collier
G: J-Dub
F: L Markkanen, Ace Bailey
F: Jaren Jackson Jr
C: W Kessler, Filipowski

How much does Williams improve Utah's ceiling?  I'd stick with the potential superstar.

I would only consider this if Darryn Peterson's medical reports aren't good. I don't see Cam Boozer as a superstar. More a Kevin Love 2.0. I don't see Caleb Wilson as a superstar either.

In this scenario, I would consider trading the #2 for a player of J-Dub's talent level. Someone who fits the roster's needs better.

[Who]

It sounds like the current situation with Darryn Peterson is that teams are nervous about his health. That they are waiting on his medicals to decide about him.

That is why there isn't much buzz about him. Nobody is certain yet. Those medicals are going to be huge for him.