Rafael Araujo traded to the Utah Jazz

[stuart]

From: http://www.byucougars.com/Filing.jsp?ID=7979

Old news, but didn't see this posted - Rafael Araujo traded to the Utah Jazz for Kris Humphries and Robert Whaley

Araujo Acquired by Utah Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY (June 8, 2006) -- Former BYU All-American center Rafael Araujo was acquired by the Utah Jazz today in a trade that also sent forward Kris Humphries and center Robert Whaley to the Toronto Raptors.
The Jazz acquired Araujo and cash from the Raptors in exchange for Humphries and Whaley, the Jazz announced Thursday. The Jazz exercised their 2006-07 team option on Whaley prior to the trade.

The 6-11, 290-pound Araujo was the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and played two seasons for the Raptors. A native of Brazil, Araujo played two seasons at Arizona Western College before completing his college career at BYU (2002-04). Araujo earned All-America honors and was named Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year and All-MWC First Team as a senior. He helped BYU earn back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 2003 and 2004.

Humphries (6-9, 235 pounds, Minnesota) played two seasons for the Jazz, and was originally selected by the Jazz with the 14th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.

Whaley (6-10, 260 pounds, Walsh), was the 51st pick of the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft and played his rookie season for the Jazz in 2005-06.

[stuart]

HoopsWorld put a nice spin on this for the two main players of the trade... call me crazy but I think Kris Humphries can be a good player given the right opportunity and looks...

Utah had its eye on Araujo during his two years at BYU. They worked him out repeatedly, headed south to scout his games, and made no secret about their desire for him to don a Jazz uniform. When it became apparent that he would be gone before the 14th pick (the first of three 2004 Utah first-round picks), they tried to move up, but to no avail. They settled on Humphries and guard Kirk Snyder (and behemoth Pavel Podkolzine who they promptly shipped to Dallas), and neither player panned out here.

Utah needed a center. With Greg Ostertag’s retirement and the uncertainty of free agent Jarron Collins, Jerry Sloan was looking at playing Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer, both natural forwards, extended minutes in the pivot. This move gives them a big body to throw into the middle. When in doubt, trade to get bigger (although the immense success Dallas and Phoenix are seeing may quell this notion).

Kris Humphries was going absolutely no where in Salt Lake City. Due to the great depth Utah possesses at the forward positions, he wasn’t going to get more than 10-12 minutes per game this upcoming season (if even that). While he is still young and unpolished, he should have demonstrated more in two years. Humphries never seemed to look comfortable on either end of the court. He is much too eager to shoot, and far too lax on defense—two Sloan no-no’s. He doesn’t play with any sense of urgency and takes free throw shooting tips from such maestros as Ben Wallace and Shaquille O’Neal. Moreover, he is a classic tweener—not enough size to effectively play the four, and not enough fluidity or shooting ability to play the three. He has potential, but didn’t seem to have much will to fulfill it. He was simply expendable.

A change of scenery is sometimes the best avenue to take. Araujo was Toronto’s whipping boy and his status as the 8th pick spelled Rob Babcock’s doom. Humphries was simply nondescript and did little to endear himself to Jazz fans. Perhaps new situations will be exactly what the doctor ordered for the pair...

Never underestimate the appeal of a local player. Araujo was enormously popular during stint at BYU. While Provo is 40 minutes south of SLC, I wouldn’t doubt that many will pay to watch him play again. It will get more people following the Jazz...

Jerry Sloan brings the best out in players. It’s been mentioned repeatedly, but many players who thrive in Utah seem to digress elsewhere. Here the list of those whose egos told them they could do better without Sloan: Howard Eisley, Shandon Anderson, Bryon Russell (one of the most overrated players in Jazz history), Donyell Marshall, and Ostertag (during his one year in Sacramento), to name a few. To be fair, some have gone against this trend and have excelled (Raja Bell and Mo Williams being the main ones). Sloan and his staff are excited to help mold Araujo. He will be given the attention and tutelage that Sam Mitchell did not or could not provide.

Araujo has some definite qualities that could be key in Utah. He has offensive ability. He can nail the outside jumper, and Sloan has always enjoyed having bigs who can do so (for example, Antoine Carr, Tom Chambers, Thurl Bailey, Greg Foster, and Collins). During his time at BYU, he was able to often step back and nail the occasional three-pointer. Seeing as Okur and Boozer will often draw double-teams, Araujo will get plenty of open looks.

[Edgar Lopez]

Who thinks Rafael will be better with the JAzz??????

[stuart]

Who thinks Rafael will be better with the JAzz??????

I don't think he could fare worse. In the NBA, it's all about the situation and system, so hopefully sloan's system is good for him. It's becoming clear that they traded Rafael because they were looking at Jorge Garbajosa.

Stuart