So here we are, its D-Day for the Jazz and they end up going 1 for 4 on my wish list of things that could have happened.

1. Korer opts in, which isn't the end of the world, but it sucks bad when you top it with #2.  (I guess anything is bad when you top it with a #2)
2. Boozer opts in.  Can we just all agree to call Boozer #2 for the rest of the year?  It fits on so many levels, allow you mind to wander and the possiblilities are endless.  After notifying the Jazz of his intentions he left the following letter in his locker: 
   
   Dear Jazz Management, Fans and Employees: 
   
   Screw you!  You get one more year of me and are going to lose Paul Millsap because of it.  I promise that I will tweak my hamstring/knee/ankle/foot/shoulder/abdominal or ass in the 10th game of the season after I have averaged a 25-12 to start the season.  I will then sit out the next 45 games rehabing in Miami (actually I will be sipping cocktails and sun-bathing on my yacht while I try to convince Cee-Cee that I still love her so I dont have to give up 50% of my next contract to her) and will give updates on my twitter account that say its getting better and should only be another week or so.  Only this will go on for 2 months causing Jazz fans to flee to the nearest cliff getting ready to jump.  When I return I will start out slowly saying things like I'm almost 80% and I just need to get my rythym back.  All the while I will be ruining the Jazz's rotation and morale as we go on to lose 8 of 10 and fall out of the playoffs.  But for the last 10 games of the season I am going to kick it up a notch and go on to average 30-15 so we can just squeak into the playoffs as an 8 seed and get bounced in 5 games again.  With this plan I don't have to exert any extra energy and can still show the league that I can be a dominant player so I can get my big payday next year from some other sucker of a franchise. 
   
   Love,
   The Booze
   
3. Okur opts in.  This actually the one possitive as I see it.  Offensively we need the big guy.  He hits big shots and stretches the defense for the 20 games that we get from Boozer and at 9 million he is a bargain.  Consider that Okur is the 20th highest paid center in the league and its actually one of the best contracts out there because love him or hate him he is a top 10 center in this league no matter what.
4. See ya later Paul, it was nice knowing ya.  Just remember when you come to Salt Lake and get booed, those are really for Boozer because he is the one that got you run out of here.  Rumor has it that the Thunder are going to offer Millsap a 5 year 65 million dollar contract and if that happens the Jazz are S-O-L.  There is no way that they can match that offer.  I love Paul and think he is a great player, but paying him 13 mil per season is plain stupid.  Its actually more than stupid, we are two years away from getting out of the worst contract in Jazz history with AK and I can't see O'Conner being dumb enough to get into another one for Milsap.  Then again he did match the offer for CJ Miles last year so what do I know?  If we can keep him for anything under 10 mil, I am all for it, but it doesn't seem likely to happen now.

So there you have it, the Jazz's biggest offseason in franchise history goes down with a thud.  On the flip side the Jazz just became one of the major players for the 2010 free agent bonanza when they will have about 30 mil in free agent cash to throw around along with the Knicks pick and a cherry of an expiring contract for the next year (17 mil of AK coming off the books in 2011).  So maybe this all ends up roses for the Jazz after all.  I fully expect the 2009-2010 Jazz marketing slogan to be "One more year of mediocrity".

It’s starting to get a little crazy up in here…well, not really, just a rampant, running rumor-mill that is spitting out hearsay at a rate that is getting pretty difficult to keep up with. Here is the latest from the Deseret News. The wide spectrum of possibilities ranges from that of things staying the same as they were last year to things going absolutely ape-shiz, in an apocalyptic scenario that might take the Jazz years to recover from. My guess is Booz will not opt-out, Memo will (maybe. His agent is in SLC as we speak either to hand deliver Memo’s opt-out plans, or to sign our favorite Turk to a multi-year extension. I told you the spectrum was broad), Millsap will be offered a huge deal from about five different teams (which the Jazz will match), Collins and Brev will be sent packing (finally), and Ronnie P will sign a two year deal with the Jazz that will pay him 1.5-2.5 mill a year. Then, and only then, after the Jazz have committed 86 billion dollars to a team that only won 48 games last year will they look to pull off some trades to dump some contracts and fill in pieces. Look for the Jazz to possibly move Boozer, AK, CJ, Matt, and KK (in that order) sometime between now and mid-February.

So what will the Jazz look like in 2009-10? Maybe pretty much the same as they did last year, which, in all actuality, isn’t all that bad. I don’t think the Jazz need to go all Mav’s, Sun’s, or Piston’s on this team. For one, our upside is far greater than our downside at this point. I agree some changes need to be made, but they need to be made carefully, and by bringing everyone back, the Jazz will give themselves more time to make the right decisions. Remember, last season was an injury-plagued mess, and it probably does not reflect the current state of the team all that accurately. Most teams need a couple of months together to really get their chemistry in check, and the Jazz did not have that.

So, that is my best guess of what is going to happen in the next six or so months. I have heard every possible scenario from Memo opting out to play in Turkey to Boozer and CJ being sent to Miami in a three-way trade that would involve bringing Chris Bosh to Utah (my buddy Jake says he has his sources, an that it is definitely going down). Whatever happens, KOC better not screw this one up. If we have another season like the one we just had, I might switch from cheering for the Jazz to cheering for whoever plays the Knicks, and that could technically mean the Lakers at some point, something I personally vowed I would never do (ok, there was that little 2004 Finals thing, but I felt I owed it to the big guy for 18 years of service).

I guess all we can do is play the waiting game…

(Also posted as a fanpost at SLC Dunk)

I'm not certain how relevant this will be a couple days from now. But I figure it's worth asking, just to see what the feeling is around here, if nothing else. As we stand right now, the Jazz have 7 guys under contract... assuming everyone that can opt out does... and another 2 waiting in the wings. A quick depth chart of the 9 guys...

1. Deron Williams, Eric Maynor
2. Ronnie Brewer
3. C.J. Miles, Matt Harpring
4. Andrei Kirilenko
5. Kosta Koufos, Kyrylo Fesenko, (Goran Suton?)

There are obvious needs at the wings (Harpring is done, and the team doesn't have a shooter there), at power-forward (AK can't play all 48 minutes) and maybe at center (can The Koof, Fesenko and Suton hold down the fort?). Interior defense might be at a better position than where it was last year, but there is a ton of inexperience at the 2-3-4 spots. Which makes it obvious the Jazz are going to need to dip into FA.

So now, let's assume that 'Sap, Booze and Okur all opt out (I'm ignoring Korver in all of this, because truthfully, the other 3 guys play a much bigger role on the team). Given the needs, and the fact the Jazz probably don't want to go over the luxury tax (by way of "expiring contracts," the Jazz only have Harpring, Fesenko & Brewer... who'll be a RFA like 'Sap this season... assuming Okur, Booze & Korver all opt out), the Jazz aren't exactly overflowing in cash with which to fill needs. Assuming Suton sticks, the Jazz still need to find 4 more players to reach the NBA's required roster limit... I'm seeing 2 bigs, a wing and a PG (maybe 2 wings, depending on how ready Maynor is for the back-up spot). I'll go into contracts in another post if need be, but for now, let's just assume the Jazz are as cash strapped as it seems. So the Jazz get to FA, and can only afford one of their 3 guys ('Sap, Booze, Okur). Which one do you keep?

Pros & Cons of all 3 below. (Note, it's probably what you could classify as a "long post".)

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The Jazz have spent the last week or so bringing in players for pre-draft workouts and interviews and all that Jazz. Looking at guys they might draft or invite to the summer league, to make sure they know what they're getting. The Jazz seem to put great stock into the pre-draft workouts. Sure, it didn't show last year... they didn't workout The Koof because neither the team nor the player/agent thought he'd fall that far. But before that... Morris Almond? Check. Ronnie Brewer? Check. Deron Williams? Check. (I'd go beyond that, but seriously... I don't remember 2004. Because I wasn't here for the draft. Plus, that draft sucked majorly.) Anyhow, obviously the Jazz work out guys the like, and generally take guys that they've worked out. So, looking at the players they've worked out so far and then looking at where they'll go, based on 3 mocks (NBADraft.net, Draftexpress.com, collegehoops.net).

Gone (Average position is before #20)

1. F James Johnson (average draft position = #14)
2. F Tyler Hansbrough (17)
   
3. G Jeff Teague (18)

Potential 1st Round Guys (Average position is in the 20's)

1. F DeJuan Blair (20)
2. G Eric Maynor (21)... they didn't work him out, but did bring him in for an interview yesterday
3. F Sam Young (23)

First Round Reaches (Won't be around at #50)

1. G Toney Douglas (33)
2. F Derrick Brown (34)
3. G Jermaine Taylor (38)
4. F Taj Gibson (41)
5. F Jeff Pendergraph (43)
6. F Josh Heytvelt (45)
7. F Dante Cunningham (45)
8. G Jodie Meeks (47)
9. G Patrick Beverley (48)... was only in 2 of the mocks

Second Round (Average draft position is #50 or below)

1. G Curtis Jerrells (53)... was only in 2 of the mocks
2. G Nando De Colo (55)... was only in 2 of the mocks
3. F Jeff Adrien (55)... was only in 1 of the mocks
4. G Wes Matthews (57)... was only in 1 of the mocks
5. F Alade Aminu (58)... was only in 1 of the mocks
6. G Tyrese Rice (59)... was only in 1 of the mocks
7. G Jeremy Pargo (60)... was only in 1 of the mocks

Undrafted (Didn't show up in any of the mocks)

1. G Dominic James
2. G Ryan Toolson
3. C Goran Suton
4. F Geoff Payne
5. C Luke Nevill
6. F Shaun Green
7. C Marcus Cousin
8. G Justin Dentmon
9. F Taylor Griffin
10. F Kevin Rogers
11. G LeVance Fields
12. F Marcus Landry
13. F Gary Wilkinson
14. G Taylor Rochestie
15. G Ben Woodside

It seems the Jazz are really high on Sam Young, according to various reports/rumors out there. They also seem high on a couple of 2nd round forwards (including Taylor Griffin), so I'm not sure what they're planning. KOC has said the team will carry 3 PGs next year... but not 2 rookies... so I'd assume they get at least 1 PG tonight. Maybe Maynor or someone like Teague/Holiday/Lawson (if they fall) in the 1st. Or maybe they wait till the 2nd and pick up someone like Rice or Pargo or De Colo.

So... there have been a couple of trades the last couple of days that could impact the Jazz.

Richard Jefferson to San Antonio -> The Spurs gave up 3 players for him... 2 of whom could be back in San Antonio before the off-season is over (gotta love the NBA!) Jefferson adds to their "big 3" and makes them even more dangerous. The Jazz already have issues with San Antonio, and now the Spurs have added another wing. Not good. Let's say Brewer & AK can shut down Manu & Jefferson... who's gonna stop Duncan then? And if you shift AK to help on Duncan, can you count on CJ or Harpring or Korver (if he's back) to stop Jefferson or Manu? Or maybe the Jazz just plan to out-score them?

Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland -> The Cavs have no impact on the Jazz... David Stern is probably already set up for a Lakers/Cavs Christmas Day game (and NBA Finals, but whatever). No, the big thing here is the Suns trading Shaq for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic (remember him?), #46 and $500,000. This seeming salary dump by the Suns could signal the start of a "rebuilding process" that could take them out of the playoff race. Since they were the only team "in it" behind the Jazz (who finished #8, if you don't remember)... and given that most of the other teams below that probably won't improve by leaps and bounds (though you have to watch out for all the young teams)... the Jazz might find their road just a bit easier to walk on (no guarantee, of course). The Suns are also being rumored to be interested in Tyson Chandler, T-Mac (for J-Rich or for Amar'e) and might even get an offer from Golden State for Amar'e, so we'll have to see what they do. And if they are in fact rebuilding, does that put Nash on the market as well?

Amir Johnson to Milwaukee -> By trading Amir for Oberto (who they will now release so he can go back to SA), the Pistons clear up a bit more cap room. Rumors are that they're not interested in Booze... they want money to spend on several players, and no contracts over $10 million... but this could lead them to 'Sap. And it could also keep Booze from opting out, as I don't see Memphis or OKC being huge players for him either, and most other teams aren't overflowing in cash. If Booze doesn't opt out, the Jazz are stuck.

Jamal Crawford to Atlanta -> First of all, I'd just like to say that I have no idea what Atlanta is thinking. Meanwhile, the Warriors add a young PG in Acie Law... and trade away a guy they had no interest in having around (Crawford). In the process, the Jazz lose 1 potential target in an AK trade... which could be huge if Booze doesn't opt out.

#5 pick to Minnesota -> Sure, they lose a bad PG (Foye) and a disappointing 3-point shooter (Mike Miller). And sure, they added a couple of guys that might play a role or something on the team. The big addition for the T-Wolves, though, is the pick. This gives them 4 1st-rounders (!), including 2 of the top 10. Even if they don't end up trading up to #2 or #3, they'll end up with 2 solid players (probably a PG and a SG) to add to Corey Brewer, Kevin Love & Al Jefferson. That's a solid core to have. The team is young, but they're improving quickly (like OKC is... and like we've seen Portland do over the last 2 or so years). Sure, this draft might be "weak," but if they know what they're doing, they'll find the guys that fit their system (whatever it is) and make them better. And with McHale the GM gone, I'm worried they might know what they're doing. This is just going to make the Northwest even tougher for the Jazz... 3 young and up-coming teams, plus a Denver team that has really come together with the acquisition of Billups.

From ESPN Insider Chad Ford:

The Pistons also made a small deal Tuesday, moving Amir Johnson to the Bucks for Fabricio Oberto. Since Oberto's contract is only partially guaranteed next year, the Pistons can waive him and get about $1.7 million further under the salary cap this summer.

That could put them roughly $23 million under the cap going into free agency. Over the past few months, we've assumed Carlos Boozer is their primary target, but that might not be the case. A league source told me Tuesday that the Pistons' free-agent strategy likely would preclude a run at Boozer.

The Pistons want to add several players to the roster and want to keep salaries at or less than $10 million per year. With Boozer likely demanding a deal in the $15 million to $16 million a year range, his contract demands are out of their league. Add in concerns about Boozer's injury history, and I don't think the Pistons will make a play for him.

Instead, you can look for them to make a run at Ben Gordon, try to re-sign Antonio McDyessand find one or two other players they can sign for smaller salaries.

That stance in Detroit could put Boozer in a tough position. If he opts out of his contract with the Jazz, he's going to struggle to find any team far enough under the cap to offer him what he wants. And with the Jazz interested in keeping Paul Millsap, Boozer could be out of luck in Utah, too.

How great would this be? Boozer opts out. The Jazz sign Millsap. Boozer comes back crawling on his hands and knees and the Jazz turn the other way.

Sad part is...I don't think Boozer is opting out? Do you agree or disagree? Vote in our poll!

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

A short post for you right now (well, shorter...). It comes to you via Ric Bucher's twitter page.

My question to him...

@RicBucher Hearing anything about the Jazz? Any chance Terrence Williams falls to them?

His much appreciated response...

@UtesFan89 No. Terrence won't get past Cha, might go to NJ. Hear he already has a promise from Cha. Teague/Sam Young are atop Utah board.

Young was #6 on my top-10 list. As for what I said about Young at the time...

The major issue you'll see with him is ball-handling. It's not very good, and it causes issues when he's trying to score off of the dribble. That said, he's been working offensively. He's become a solid threat from outside due to a lot of work put in during college. He has an awkward shot, but it works for him. And he's got a body that lets him absorb contact. He is a bit older than other players in his class, so his "potential" might not be as high as some of the others... meaning he's more of a "what you see is what you get" guy than some of the others in the draft. Not that that's a bad thing. He's a force defensively, with the size, length & athleticism to lock down players. He's aggressive, but not to the point of careless gambles (which would make him different from someone like CJ). I guess another question I have... given that he's 6'6, how's he going to match-up with some of the wings (Turkoglu... who Portland is interested in... and the likes).

And Teague... there are some questions as to whether he's NBA ready or not. Obviously the Jazz think he is... or they better... because otherwise he's rotting away on the bench for the next couple of years.

Oh, and for a list of rumors that I'm trying to update as I hear/read them... go here.