NLL Insider - Team by Team: Utah Jazz

by sheed36, updated on Thursday, August 15 2013, 10:33 pm EST

2012-2013 Finish: 22-60

Season Highlights- February 2013 - The disappointing gm Jaz was fired just before the allstar game. Two days later, a ray of sunshine arrived as the Utah Jazz front office hired the promising brazilian gm Merencio. One week after merencio’s arrival, Utah won 3 games however this was abruptly ended by a 4 game skid in week 13. Despite this it was obvious that gm merencio had a serious mentality and was focusing on Utah’s future with the key being, bring in some young talents. Following the draft, all signs indicate that gm merencio’s promise of a bright future in Utah may well be coming, the question is ‘just how long will it take for the fans in Salt Lake City to once again be proud of their team?’

Season Lowlights – A 13 games skid to end of the season between week 17 and week 20. In fact they weren’t tanking at all but this skid may well have been a blessing in disguise. You could see all their talent on the floor. Nene, Beasley and Gee they were all trying to play something close to basketball. Interesting thing is that they end up this skid against the Wizards. I guess you can’t do much against a real tanking team!

Best Trade – The LA Lakers send Glen Davis and Alonzo Gee to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send Richard Hamilton and Wilson Chandler to the LA Lakers.
The Utah Jazz send a 2nd-Rounder (NY) to the LA Lakers.

Once again thinking on the future. Sending away aging Rip Hamilton and the bad contract Wilson Chandler for two useful players Gee and Davis. Gee became the main part of Utah offensive with 15 points per game. Davis in other hand injured his foot and may not be ready for next season. In long term Utah win this one

Worst Trade - The New York Knicks send Hedo Turkoglu to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send DeAndre Jordan to the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks send a 2nd-Rounder (NY) to the Utah Jazz.

Nando de Colo was also sent to Utah

Turkoglu 20 points and a second round pick for Jordan at that time wasn’t that bad, but turnout gm Jaz spent only 5 of these 20 points and Turkoglu got himself amnestied playing only 8 games. So I guess New York got DeAndre Jordan for almost free if it wasn’t for Nando de Colo.

Other Notable Trades – Utah made lot of small trading bringing some NBDL prospects into their roster. Looks like they totally trust their scout team

The Dallas Mavericks send Josh Selby and Kent Bazemore to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send Jeremy Pargo to the Dallas Mavericks.

Oh God! Utah got a really good player in Bazemore for cheap.

The Utah Jazz send Festus Ezeli to the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Bulls trade -1 GM points.The Utah Jazz receive 1 GM points.

A useless gm point for a useful player. Bad move

Best FA Signing –Utah signed Aaron Brooks early in the season. He played 53 games before been sent away to Dallas for two second round picks. He started all these 53 games with 14 points and 5 assists.

Worst FA Signing- Utah wasn’t that bad on free agency. They sign a bunch of NBDL players, some of them never played. Poor guy DeQuan Jones signed in early season played 75 games with 15 minutes and 3 points per game.. Wasn’t that bad for a rookie and he could improve given more playing time.

Star- Micheal Beasley: He got his chance with the Utah Jazz and he delivered it. 23 points per game with a career high 43 points.He also was selected to play allstar game. The former first round pick showed everyone what he is capable. Can he handle the spotlights and lead the the promising Utah Jazz next season ?

Surprise – Alonzo Gee: Improving after the trade by 5 points per game Gee became the second leading scorer for the Jazz. Gee will stay in the starting lineup for sure.

Goat – Nene Hilario: 11 points per game and only 7 rebounds. Utah is paying too much for Nene indeed. They might trade him away next season

Draft Report Card – Draft Grade A

First Round 2^nd pick- Victor Oladipo was the wise choice to make. Victor is a guy you will certainly see in ten or more years. Despite not having superstar potential he has a starting lineup caliber. His position in the Utah lineup is still uncertain with Gee and Beasley on the wings – he may even come off the bench for the early season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder send Chuck Hayes and C.J. McCollum to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send Dennis Schroeder, Alex Abrines, Isaiah Canaan and Nate Wolters to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Oklahoma City Thunder trade -9 GM points.The Utah Jazz receive 9 GM points

First Round 5^th pick- C.J. McCollum. Another good pickup. C.J was the best scorer in this years draft, and his numbers were pretty much the same as Lillard in college. I can see C.J starting at PG this season and pouring in at least 15 points per game.

Second Round 40^th pick- Livio Jean-Charles. Utah had some good luck when the French Guianense ended up in the second round, I mean it’s always a good pick when you draft an NBA San Antonio’ Stash in Europe prospect

Second Round 51th pick- Lorenzo Brown. The young 6’5 point guard also may not come this year for Utah

Second Round 55^th pick- Peyton Siva. Looks like Peyton will be part of the Utah roster this year. His inspiring backstory brings the Jazz the strength and maturity they needed

Second Round 60^th pick Bojan Dubljevic. Talent center but still not coming this year. If he comes to NLL (NBA) at all.

Looking to the Future – gm merencio has declared that he is building his team around the oft troubled Michael Beasley. This remains a big question mark as Beasley may self implode at anytime. Linking success to Beasley will depend on him staying out of trouble (and drugs) and keeping his focus on the game. This doesn’t appear to be occurring as during the NLL off-season Beasley has reportedly been cited by authorities with cannabis. Who know’s whether he will even front up to training camp? Perhaps gm merencio will get lucky and Beasley may be wiped off his books for nothing before the season begins? Either way I think it’s time to cut ties with this goose and focus on rebuilding with clean youth.

Davis and Nene who are both injury prone will need to stay healthy as Utah have no bigs (I know Hayes is big… but not tall) See above! Then again this is a season of rebuilding and Utah have a lot of prospects. Oladipo and CJ McCollum will join an already young squad. If only one of these guys pops up his inner allstar sense, Utah can make some noise this season. If not they are in a good position to make some noise in the upcoming draft. With the strong 2014 draft the jazz look like a prime candidate for the #riggin4wiggins campaign!

Upcoming Free Agents

Austin Daye- restricted- Sources say Utah will sign and trade Daye. We will see it soon

Matt Bonner- Likely re-signing

Linas Kleiza- Likely leaving to Europe or somewhere else

Josh Selby, DeQuan Jones, Chris Quinn, Malcolm Thomas- Humm does anyone care?

NLL Insider - Team by Team: Utah Jazz

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