Utah Jazz 2011-12: Realistic Offseason Moves the Jazz Should Consider
With a loaded front court and a lack of depth in the back court, there are many different trade options the Utah Jazz should consider. Unloading one or more of their big men for a talented wing player would give Utah a good chance of making it back to the playoffs.
Utah is well-stocked with young big men for the future. Adding Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter made for a clogged front court. With Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap bringing decent trade value to the table, there are a few options the Jazz should look into to improve their chances of success.
Here are some trade scenarios that the Jazz may consider in 2011-12.
Paul Millsap for Richard Hamilton
1 of 7Detroit Pistons get:
Paul Millsap, Mehmet Okur
Utah Jazz get:
Richard Hamilton, Will Bynum, First Round Pick
This trade will give the Jazz a wing player in Hamilton that they desperately need. Hamilton averages just over 17 points a game for his career and contributes with decent passing and rebounding. A fresh start in with a new team may give Hamilton an added boost to have a successful season. The addition of Will Bynum solves Utah's backup point guard problem. Detroit would probably be willing to throw in a first round pick to get rid of Hamilton.
The Jazz lose two big men that are well liked in Salt Lake City, but it unclogs the logjam in the paint. This clears room for Kanter and Favors to contribute more minutes and allows Al Jefferson to own down low on offense.
Mehmet Okur for Richard Jefferson
2 of 7San Antonio Spurs get:
Mehmet Okur, second round draft pick
Utah Jazz get:
Richard Jefferson
This trade is very similar to the Rip Hamilton trade. The Jazz get a needed wing player and get rid of one of their big bodies in the middle. Jefferson, similar to Hamilton, averages just over 16 points a game for his career. He averages more rebounds and slashes to the basket better than Hamilton.
Losing Okur would take away a needed veteran presence on a young Jazz team, but Jefferson could fill that role just as well as Okur.
Why would San Antonio make this deal? Okur is a big body that would compliment the undersized DaJaun Blair well. He is also a great outside shooter and could spread the floor for San Antonio better than Jefferson does. This would open up the middle more for Tim Duncan.
The second-round pick doesn't seem like much, but San Antonio has a great knack for picking up high quality players in the second round (Blair, Manu Ginobili). It would be a good trade for both sides.
Al Jefferson for Monta Ellis
3 of 7Al Jefferson, Raja Bell
Utah Jazz get:
Monta Ellis, first round draft pick
Golden State is reportedly shopping Monta Ellis. They seem to want to pave the way for Stephen Curry to flourish as the team's leading scorer and the future of the franchise. Utah is a good destination for Ellis. He would immediately become the number one option on offense and would add a legitimate scoring threat to the offense-lacking Jazz.
Utah loses a talented big man in Jefferson, but opens the lane for Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter to develop. Okur will also be available to fill the void left by Jefferson. The first-round pick will also allow the Jazz to continue building for the future.
Golden State would get an offensive threat down low and would draw defenders away from Curry, allowing him to get better shots. The addition of Raja Bell would be a much needed defensive addition to the Warriors. With Mark Jackson putting emphasis on defense, Bell would be a great throw-in in this trade.
Millsap, Okur for Brandon Roy
4 of 7Paul Millsap, Mehmet Okur
Utah Jazz get:
Brandon Roy, Nicholas Batum
Utah would love to have a pure scorer like Brandon Roy, but would be taking on a huge risk due to Roy's knee problems. However, adding Batum to the mix would give them a legitimate outside scoring threat even if the former All-Star, Roy, couldn't contribute as he once did. They would be adding two wing players that would greatly improve the balance of the team.
Portland would be getting a prize it has had its eyes on since he cam into the league, Paul Millsap. Portland attempted to acquire Millsap as a free agent in 2009 but Utah matched its offer and retained him. Portland was able to steal away Wesley Matthews via free agency the next year. Matthews has proven to be a threat and good replacement for Brandon Roy.
Millsap and Okur would add needed size and front court depth to the Blazers. This trade would be a blockbuster move for both teams.
Mehmet Okur for Jose Calderon
5 of 7Toronto Raptors get:
Mehmet Okur, second round draft pick
Utah Jazz get:
Jose Calderon
The Utah Jazz could be very creative with Devin Harris and Jose Calderon in the back court. Calderon would provide a great backup point guard that could provide a huge spark off the bench. Calderon averaged nearly 10 points and nine rebounds last year and continues to improve year by year.
Toronto is a very young team in need of some veteran leadership. Okur could provide that for Toronto. Okur is a very similar player to Andrea Bargnani. Both can hit the outside shot and could really provide a tough defensive matchup for most teams. A duo of outside-shooting big men would be unique and difficult to defend.
Paul Millsap for O.J. Mayo
6 of 7Memphis Grizzles get:
Paul Millsap, second round draft pick
Utah Jazz get:
O.J. Mayo, Sam Young
O.J. Mayo is another name that has been in the trade rumors for quite a while now. He is a talented young wing player that would be at least a second option for the Jazz. This role would suit his talents better than coming off the bench for Memphis. He would improve his game as long as he can keep his off the court issues under control. Sam Young would be a good addition to the Jazz bench.
Paul Millsap, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol could be the most talented front court in the league if this trade was made and assuming Memphis is able to re-sign Gasol. The addition of Millsap coming off the bench could be the just what Memphis needs to push to that next level. They could be a very dangerous team in the future.
This is one of those trades that would benefit both sides. It has good potential for Memphis and Utah.
Paul Millsap, C.J. Miles for Andre Iguodala
7 of 7Philadelphia 76ers get:
Paul Millsap, C.J. Miles, second round draft pick
Utah Jazz get:
Andre Iguodala, Jodie Meeks, first round draft pick
There may not be a name mentioned more in trade rumors than Andre Iguodala. Philadelphia and Iguodala both seem to be ready to severe their relationship and move on. This is a great opportunity for the Jazz to add a strong, talented wing player to their rotation. Nobody on this list would fit in the Jazz's system better than Iggy. He would be the dominant force that the Jazz have never really had. His dunks and athletic moves are something that Jazz fans are not used to seeing.
Iguodala averages 15 points five assists and six rebounds a game for his career. He is well-rounded and can play defense. Meeks and the first-round pick would add to the future of the franchise as well.
The Sixers would add Millsap who averaged over 17 points and nearly eight rebounds a game last year in his first year as a starter. He would be a good replacement for the declining Elton Brand. C.J. Miles would add an outside threat to the rotation.
This trade would be a favorite for any Jazz fan and Philadelphia would be receiving some great talent in return. A major trade that the Jazz should definitely consider.
