Saturday night I saw my good friend Ben at the Utah Arts Festival. It was a lovely gathering of expensive art, loud music and stinky hippies. Tons of fun. Of course, instead of talking art, Ben and I jumped right into talk of the draft… he was pimping the pickup of Morris Almond. Almond is a nice player, but I just feel that the Jazz are going to try to move AK, and I told Ben that the Jazz should look to Boston to make a deal for the 5th pick.
And then we get this today from the Deseret News.
HE WROTE IT: Peter May, in Sunday’s Boston Globe: “There is someone out there the Celtics might be able to obtain, a former All-Star who would give them a dimension they don’t have and might not have any objection (like Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett) to playing in Boston: Andrei Kirilenko of the Jazz.
“He was an All-Star in 2004. He would give the Celtics something they lack — a defensive presence and shot-blocker — and you’d have to think the Jazz would at least entertain a proposal in which Boston surrendered the fifth pick (Thursday), Theo Ratliff and his wonderful, expiring contract, and a couple young-uns. Boston might have to take back a bad contract (Matt Harpring or Derek Fisher) to make it balance, but not necessarily.
“If the Celtics sent Gerald Green, (Delonte) West, the fifth pick, and Ratliff for Kirilenko and (Utah’s) 25th pick, it’d work. You could also insert (Al) Jefferson and (Sebastian) Telfair into the mix instead of Green and West, but … I’d think long and hard about dealing Jefferson.
“Why would Utah do it? Well, for starters, the Jazz would be happy to get rid of the Kirilenko contract … There seems to be some concern as to whether Kirilenko and (coach Jerry) Sloan can coexist. Utah also has to re-sign Deron Williams in the next year or two and, given the way he’s going, he’s going to demand big bucks.
“The Celtics would be absorbing a big contract, but not nearly as big as Garnett’s or (Jermaine) O’Neal’s. They’d also avoid having to re-sign a pair of their kids, which would account for untold millions … Once they make that trade, I would do what I could to turn the 25th pick into former Boston College center Sean Williams (by moving up via another trade). With him and Kirilenko on board, the Celtics could amp up their defense considerably and not lose a whole lot of offense. And with Kirilenko in the East, he could be an All-Star once again.”
Are you kidding me? If the Jazz could make that deal they have to jump on it. The 5th pick could be huge. I personally think that Corey Brewer has the type of game and game time experience to step in and play meaningful minutes for the Jazz right away. Delonte West is a great combo guard that can hit the three and lock up the opposing point guard, Gerald Green is an incredible athlete that can be the finisher on the break that the Jazz lack and has shown the ability to hit the three. Not to mention that Theo Ratliff has declared that he will be healthy next year. If he can even give the Jazz 15 minutes a night of solid defense in the post, the Jazz would fill all of their gaps in one move and save a load of cash next year.
Kevin O’Conner, if this deal is on the table take it. Don’t hesitate, fill out the papers and make a move.
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Of course, I would still be stoked if the Jazz could somehow pull off a trade for Rashard Lewis.
That trade would be unbelievable, not only for the Jazz but for the Sonics. With a core of AK, Kevin Durant and Ray Allen, to go along with a bunch of other talented young players, the Sonics would be in the playoff hunt immediately and in title contention within a couple of years.
But it is for the Jazz that I cheer for, and in that regard this trade is remarkable.
Think about it. Boozer down low with your other front-line players… Memo and Lewis on the wings. D-Will can break down any defender to get to the hole and Brewer could be the slasher on offense. That is a perfect half-court offensive team. Furthermore, that is an incredibly long-athletic team.
Williams 6′3″
Brewer 6′8″
Lewis 6′10″
Boozer 6′9″ - (but plays much bigger as we know)
Memo 6′11″
Then with Millsap, Harpring and Fisher coming off the bench, the Jazz would simply tear down the opposition. Add in Araujo with those three and the Jazz bench would just beat up the opposition.
I can’t keep writing, I am too excited just thinking about it.
June 25th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
The thought of either of those trades happening is definitely exciting, especially the Boston option, but after I read that article and thought about it for a few minutes, I just couldn’t realistically expect the Celtics to make that trade.
I think AK47 will actually play a lot better on a lesser team than the Jazz, but based on his recent performances, why would the Celtics want to give up two of their reasonable players and a relatively high draft pick for him?
If the opportunity came up that would definitely be a trade that the Jazz couldn’t afford to say no to. It would get a huge salary off the books and give them a great opportunity to get a good young player to go with the current core of young players. The future would look fantastic.
June 25th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
It sure would be nice to think that we had some Utah Jazz front office readers…however, I don’t think Kevin O’Connor will be reading the blog and say, “Hey! I think that would work great!”. Still, Larry Miller and Kevin O’Connor, feel free to prove me wrong. The Jazz should be thrilled if any offers like this come up, where the team actually gets some value back instead of just dumping.
I think that the Jazz plan to keep Kirilenko at this point. It’s been kind of back and forth, it seems, but the Jazz will keep him if only because they can’t get his true market value right now.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I really like both of these trades, especially the thought of the number 5 pick in the Draft. Corey Brewer, or Al Horofrd in a Jazz Jersey sound oh so sweet. However i DO NOT want Delonte West on the team. He is a “me first player” and would have no place on our team. Just Maybe but i highly doubt it, we could get Jefferson from them? I would be very Happy for AK there too, cause in the East, if he could find his game he would be and All-Star for sure! But then again if he can find his game i want him here!
June 26th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
McSean, nice to see you at the Arts Festival.
Paul Pierce is now squawking that he wants out of Boston unless they can get him a running mate. AK to Boston for Paul Pierce? Screw the 5th pick, get a proven 2 guard.
Now Gerald Wallace has opted out with the Bobcats. With Kobe and Garnett and JO and Chauncey and Gerald Wallace all fluid…this off season is going to be reSICKulous.
KOC has got to parlay AK into a top-flight 2 guard, especially if KG goes to LA, the Jazz are going to need somebody to temper Kobe a little bit. Corey Maggette, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Paul Pierce, Gerald Wallace…he can get one of those guys can’t he…CAN’T HE?
June 26th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Danny Ainge would have to be smoking crack to make that trade.
June 26th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
I heard the rumors regarding both of these trades and frankly I also think the chances are slim to none on both. No one wants to absorb AK’s contract especially after his performance and antics this last season. It would be too big of a risk for any team to take on. If AK accepts his role on this team he can and will be a difference maker next season. However, if he continues his lack luster play next season it will be much easier to move him next year which would still leave the cap space necessary to sure up Deron’s contract extension. The Jazz would be much better off if they made a more low key trade for some role players who will accept and perform their roles and not cry about playing time or touches.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I still wouldn’t do the Lewis deal, if only because trading AK within the Northwest (not just the West, but keeping him in the same conference) would be insanely stupid.
On the other hand, I’m all for trading AK and drafting Brewer. I don’t even think West/Green need to be added. Just AK for #5 and Ratliff works (throw in #25 if you really want), I think. Of course, all the talk now is of Brewer having had bad workouts and being a potential bust and all, but if he comes to a team that isn’t expecting the world from him, he should be fine.
Trading AK w/i the division could lead to the downfall of the team, especially with the division seemingly getting much stronger… Denver has AI and ‘Melo, Portland has Aldridge, Roy and Oden (or Durant), Seattle is getting Durant (or Oden), Minny looks to be getting another lottery pick or 2 for KG to go with Foye…
And if need really be, you can go sign Mo Pete too. There… the 2 and 3 spots are filled with guys that can defend and still score if need be.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I agree that trading AK within the division is nuts, but the Sonics are thinking the same thing about Lewis. For all intents, this trade really helps both teams. Lets face it, the Sonics are going to get better either way… they have great pieces. Why not get a piece from them that can really, really help?
With Williams, Boozer, Memo, Lewis and hopefully Mo Pete (or another quality free agent 2), the Jazz starting five is insanely good. Then you have a Kirilenko clone (sort of) in Paul Millsap coming off the bench along with Fisher, Harpring, and Brewer. That is a championship quality team for at least the next 5 years regardless of what the opposition does.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:47 am
I don’t like the trade to Boston for the 5th pick. We need veteran help. I don’t like the trade for Pierce, he costs way too much, over $75 Mil. for the next four years.
Now Ray Allen is being shopped. http://www.hoopshype.com/ How nice would that be?