Utah Jazz thread

[CKR13]

The Jazz are loaded in the front court with Al Jefferson & Enes Kanter at the Center position and PFs Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors.

They need to move at least one of those players and fill their SF/SG spots.

I'd suggest moving Millsap to make way for Favors and Al Jeff to make way for Kanter who is supposed to be a stud. They could get a solid player back for both of those guys. They didn't make the playoffs, they should go young.

pgoughy
http://www.buzzerbeater.com.au

Also, don't forget Mehmet Okur, who's contract is set to expire after the 2011-2012 season. They can let him go or sign him for less.

With Andrei Kirilenko being a free agent, Gordon Hayward is the only SF they have. That too will have to be addressed as will the Jazz re-sign Kirilenko or go for the 2012 free agency and sign someone like Carmelo Anthony.

For the shooting guard position, there is quite the uncertainty as well. Raja Bell is aging and the other legitimate shooting guard is rookie Alec Burks.

As for Millsap, prior to the lockout, there have been rumors of Millsap on the trading block.

[CKR13]

Andrei Kirilenko has signed a contract with the Russian Team, CSKA Moscow for three years. The contract has a stipulation where Kirilenko will be able to terminate the contract within a month should the NBA lockout ends to negotiate with NBA teams.

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=8367

[CKR13]

Former North Carolina State Head coach Sidney Lowe has been hired to be an assistant coach under Ty Corbin. Lowe joins Scott Layden and Jeff Hornacek as Corbin's assistants.

[CKR13]

Utah Mayor Ralph Becker is hoping for an NBA Season. Becker cited economic reasons on why the lockout must not consume the whole season.

Utah Jazz: Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker wants NBA to play

[Cryotek]

Jazz should hire John Stockton as part of the crew of assistants...

[CKR13]

Jazz should hire John Stockton as part of the crew of assistants...

Stockton turned down that offer back in the summer of 2003. But you are right, it would have been great to see a legend in the bench. But alas, Stockton is a family man and seemed enjoying life beyond basketball.

[CKR13]

Devin Harris is working hard to improve his jumpshot. Quite a good way to spend the lockout. When one's career seems to be going stale, improving on areas will help.

I’ve been ramped up since July, which is my normal workout routine. I go two-a-days everyday, usually five days a week. Lifting and conditioning in the mornings. Working in the afternoon with some five-on-five work.

Yeah, I’ve been working a lot on my jumpshot. Pullups, 15 to 18 feet and the standstill 3. Just trying to shoot for a better percentage and knock it down at a higher pace

[CKR13]

Utah Jazz Charity Game

Jimmer Fredette
Chauncey Billups
Stephen Curry
Al Jefferson
Devin Harris
Paul Millsap
Corey Maggette
Derrick Favors
Ronnie Price
Anthony Tolliver
Enes Kanter
Wesley Matthews
Earl Watson
Jeremy Evans

[CKR13]

Utah Jazz Charity Game Video Highlights

Utah Jazz Charity Game Photo Gallery

[CKR13]

Andrei Kirilenko breaks his nose.

[CKR13]

Can an unfavorable new Collective Bargaining Agreement force the Larry H. Miller group of companies to prompt a sale?

Could bad deal mean end to Jazz in Utah?

SALT LAKE CITY — The ongoing NBA lockout situation presents a dilemma for the Utah Jazz and their fans.

Everybody wants basketball to be played, not delayed by a labor mess.

But even if it brings pro hoops back sooner than later, an unfavorable collective bargaining resolution for Utah could adversely affect the organization as it tries to maintain a tradition of winning despite market-size challenges.

In fact, one source with intimate knowledge of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies' inner workings speculated that small-market-related economic hardships could force Jazz ownership to place a "For Sale" sign on the franchise. The source told the Deseret News that the Jazz were expected to report losses in the $17 million range for the 2010-11 season.

"If I was a betting man," the source said, "my guess is that the Millers will sell the team within the next five years, unless this CBA changes the formula so that the team can make some money."

Others say the Millers will never sell the Jazz.

The late Larry H. Miller viewed the Jazz as a "community gift" to Utah. The self-made entrepreneur once put it like this, "Selling the Jazz would be like selling Canyonlands."

From his vantage point, RSL owner and pro sports mogul Dave Checketts can't envision the Miller family selling the Jazz. He doesn't view their commitment as conditional.

"I think the Jazz have a tremendous, tremendous fan following. I think teams like that will always exist in the markets they're in," said Checketts, whose resume includes time spent as the Jazz's president and general manager.

"I don't think the Jazz are an endangered species."

Fans can thank NBA commissioner David Stern's league-wide gag order on lockout talk for Jazz CEO Greg Miller's decision to turn down an interview request.

"Based on the circumstances," Jazz spokesman Jonathan Rinehart said, "we respectfully decline to comment on your questions."

Despite his current silence, Miller hasn't shied from emphasizing his intent to keep the Jazz in the family and in Utah. He told a packed EnergySolutions Arena at the 2009-10 season-opener that his family would ensure the Jazz stay in Utah as long as the support remained.

"These fans," he said that night, "are the engine of the Utah Jazz."

Even so, the Millers would make an enormous profit by selling the franchise.

According to Forbes, the Jazz are the 16th most valuable NBA franchise and are worth $343 million. While that's down from its $358 million value in 2008, the late Larry H. Miller bought the team outright from Sam Battistone for $24 million in 1986.

-Desert News

An insider claims that a new CBA could prompt a sale while others in chorus said that the ownership group will not sell the Jazz franchise.

[CKR13]

Utah Jazz Chief Executive Officer Greg Miller denies reports that an unfavorable Collective Bargaining Agreement Deal for the Utah Jazz situation will force the Jazz into sale.

Jazz CEO denies report that team would be sold without favorable labor deal

[CKR13]

Updates on Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur.

Mehmet-Okur-on-hold-in-Turkey

Andrei Kirilenko To Weigh Free Agency, Remaining In Moscow

[CKR13]

According to ESPN, the Utah Jazz are exploring trade possibilities on bigmen Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap.

I guess the Jazz see the immediate advantage on developing sophomore Derrick Favors and rookie Enes Kanter.

[CKR13]

Point guard Devin Harris was the first player to show up in the Jazz Training Facility.

Meanwhile, veteran point guard Earl Watson is said to be interested in re-signing with the Jazz.

Earl Watson interested in re-signing with Utah Jazz, source says