2016-17 FINISH : 38-44 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Things were not so easy this season in Utah. Jazz used to be between top teams in the West with their strong lineup, but this season was different. With newcomers like LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol, Utah could hold themselves for most part of the season fighting for the playoffs, making big trades to stay strong on a “win now†strategy that Merencio plays well. SEASON LOWLIGHTS: However the Jazz couldn’t stand long against the injuries and decay of Derick Rose. On last weeks of the season Rose suffered a torn meniscus on his left knee and left his team on a bad spot. Without their point guard leader Utah couldn’t hold longer their 7th position and ended up out of the playoffs for the first time in years. Which was very disappointing since the team is has been built to win. After traded all of his picks the pressure is on. Merencio’s have to improvise with what they have now in hands to bring his team to the winning path again. BEST TRADE(S): Merencio did a very good trade bringing LMA and Chris Paul, both need to be mentioned Jazz got an amazing piece on LaMarcus Aldridge for Gordon, expiring Bogdanovic, a second and few gm points. LMA played 83 games last season with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Another good trade for the Jazz, at least for what they want for their future, or in other words for their present. They finally got their center sending away the underperformance Jeff Green, the young big Julius Randle and a future first round for all-star caliber Marc Gasol. Marc Gasol finished the season with his best statistics of his career. 20 points, 3 more than when he was wih the Wizards, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. An amazing upgrade, however not enough to help his team to the playoffs. Jazz took the opportunity to get this superstar from Detroit Pistons before he decides to leave. Turn out Chris Paul declared he will re-sign with new team and Merencio got the prize for having guts. For now the new face Utah Jazz is looking good with Chris Paul. 7 games, 6 wins. CP3 will probably re-sign next few weeks, its all on the hands of his gm to spend some points on the offer. WORST TRADE: Merencio was very quiet last season so maybe, there is only one trade that wasn’t quite good for him and I can say wasn’t that bad either… Well this one was a bit ok for both sides but Jeff Green didn’t turn out any closer to his previous performance. Only 7 points and per game and he was kicked out to the Wizards for Marc Gasol. BEST and WORST FA SIGNING: After re-sign Eric Gordon Merencio couldn’t sign anyone on free agency. After that Utah signed Davis Bertans, Toney Douglas, Sasha Vucevic and James Jones to fill the roster. None of them were relevant for the team so it’s hard to say who was good or bad. At least the big young man Davis Bertans wasn’t waived last season and remains with the team. So I can say he is the best signing probably. STAR: Andrew Wiggins Amazing season by the young wing who took the team on his shoulder. Improving almost 10 points per game, 15 to 23, Wiggins was almost every time as a player of the week on west side. He made the Allstar game for the first time and the future is bright for this guy from now. SURPRISE: Sean Killpatrick This guy came from the Indiana Pacers and had a great performance off the bench. His stats doubled with his new team even with only few minutes more than when he was in Indiana. On his contract year Sean seems to improve even more his season and Utah fans would love it GOAT: Derrick Rose Rose completely changed his game style and Utah suffered with it. From 29 points per game Rose couldn’t go over 15, a half of he was. However Rose doubled his assists per game. But looks like his team needed him scoring more. In the end Rose also got unluck with his knee again. A torn on his knee sidelined him when his team were fighting for a spot on playoffs and Utah lost 5 in the row losing the spot for Houston and Golden State DRAFT REPORT CARD Merencio traded every single pick and we won’t he Utah drafting for a long time I guess. GRADE: - LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Utah is all about winning now, there is no future only now. Their starting lineup is looking good with Gasol, LMA, Wiggins, Killpatrick and new coming CP3. All they have to do now is to re-sign CP3 and nothing else. Yes let Derrick Rose go, get these gm points and sign some good free agents this year. I know it hurts but Utah need to part ways with their former hero for good of both. UPCOMING FREE AGENTS: Chris Paul 100% to return. Utah need to throw few points though but the bought a lot this off season. Derrick Rose Merencio is a super fan of Rose but looks like they will have to spend a lot of gm points to convince him to stay in Utah. Is better for them to let him go… Jordan Mickey Not restricted so I guess he is leaving. Pierre Jackson Not even in NBA I guess. | 
