Should we give in to his demand, or try to work things out again? His value improved after EuroBasket, but if the Jazz are being “forced” to trade him, that hurts his value.
An article in the Salt Lake Tribune had this to say:
“I’ve thought about it a lot and I came to a decision. I want to leave Utah Jazz. The European championships that just ended became sort of a test for me and now I think I know what I want to do.”
More info coming tomorrow. Jazz fans, is this good or bad news? Some could consider this a big loss, while other fans may rejoice at this excuse to trade AK47.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Wow, this comes after i’ve tried to defend him the entire season. Thanks a lot AK. BUt i still wish you the best, and expect that you will now be on the long list of Jazz Killers. That said, GOODBYE!
I just hope that we can get good value in return. It looks like he’ll be headed to a team that can more suppport his style of ball, Which means Golden State, Phoenix, or I thought i heard that Memphis was headed for the run and gun offense. Chich means we could get, Pau Gasol, Shawn Marion, or couple from Golden State. I don’t know how you replace such a defensive force… BUt at least his value just went way up, if not all the way. His performance in Europe just proved to everyone that he still has his game, but that he needs to be in a place where he’ll be able to be the star.
UGGHH thanks for nothing AK, i wasted too much time on you.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
His value may have gone up from EuroBasket, but any time a player publicly asks to be traded, it means that every other team has a leg up on the Jazz in negotiations. Andrei has forced the Jazz’ hand, and now we’ll be lucky to get 30 cents on the dollar for him. Get the ESPN Trade Machine fired up, people.
By the way, this now makes my great “move Andrei to the bench” post irrelevant. Crap.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:11 am
You’re right Shums that was a great post! (keep it up)
I think the Jazz should work a three way trade in which we somehow get Luol Deng. He is one of the most similar players to AK’s skill set. So i think we would have to use Memphis in order to make it work. Chicago receives Pau Gasol, The Jazz get Luol Deng, POssibly Tyrus Thomas, and a couple of expiring contracts. The Grizz get AK, a draft pick, and either Giri or Collins. In the “tradeMachine” it won’t work only because Pau’s contract puts the Bulls over the Cap. but the Bull’s in reality may pay a luxary tax for Pau.
But i really think either Luol Deng or Tayshaun Prince would be the best reward for AK. Marion would be good, but i’m pretty sure he has no desire to play in Utah.
September 19th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
If the Jazz trade AK, it will mark the end of the biggest coaching failure of Jerry Sloan’s career. Jerry and his staff should have been up to the challenge of finding a way to get AK’s strengths to compliment Deron, Boozer, and Memo. AK could be Pippen, but neither side would blink. A tragedy.