Al Jefferson panic button engaged!
In case you missed it yesterday, Chris Sheridan did something that usually isn't done in the middle of the season. He reported a rumor about the San Antonio Spurs. That trade involved the Utah Jazz and center Al Jefferson. Sheridan didn't have anything concrete, but he did say any trade would likely involve both Stephen Jackson and Tiago Splitter. Here's a couple of options on bringing Big Al to San Antonio.
Splitter, Jackson and Patty Mills for Jefferson: This is the one Sheridan suggested and at first glance it seems awfully steep. Splitter and Jackson are integral parts of the team, but Jackson has been dreadful on offense this season and Splitter for all his positives, isn't the player Jefferson is. They're different players to be sure, but Jefferson is better and believe it or not, is the same as the Spurs' current starting center. The question is whether the Spurs would be able to use the rest of the regular season to tweak one of the league's best offenses to include Jefferson's low post oriented offensive game and mostly below average defensive game. Let's look at a couple other trade options involving the two teams.
Jackson, Matt Bonner and Nando De Colo for Jefferson: This deal clearly depends on Utah's opinion of De Colo as a starting point guard and how much they just want to clear the decks this summer (Bonner's only owed $1 million if waived by the end of June). Obviously the plus side for the Spurs is getting Jefferson and keeping Splitter, but they'd definitely have to choose between signing one of them this summer. The Spurs could also sweeten this pot by offering a future draft pick or the rights to Erazem Lorbek or Adam Hanga.
Splitter and Gary Neal to Minnesota, Jackson, Luke Ridnour and De Colo to Utah and Jefferson and Derrick Williams to San Antonio: I'm really just having fun at this point. Spurs get a bunch of interior help, though their bench is completely overhauled and the chemistry is left in limbo, but again, we're just having fun. Utah gets Jackson's expiring and a couple of point guards since they don't really have any right now. Minnesota gets guys that have played in Europe, which they love.
Lol, if we did that last trade you mentioned the Toros would have an entire new roster as well.
As a Jazz fan, I don't like this deal...nobody mentioned in this trade really tips the scales for me. The Jazz need a playmaker, and/or someone that could create their own shot. There is no reasonto give up big Al for nothing...might as well get something that u need. I understand creating room but rather get something of value back or if you end up leaving at the end of his contract, we will have money to spend in free agency.
As a Spurs fan I don´t like this trade either... Jefferson is an upgrade but we are giving up some awesome role players, arguably the best in the league for someone we don´t really need. No disrespect but I take offense to your statement. "There is no reason to give up big Al for nothing." Splitter is a notch below Al Jefferson and S Jax and Patty Mills could be starters for teams like the Cavs or the Wizards and decent sixth men for teams like the Bulls or Knicks. Spurs have the deepest bench in the league and the best record for a reason. Apart from our big 3 we got super subs too.
@SpursG I guess Nothing is a loaded word...I guess I mean we would be giving up a potential (probable) All-Star Talent and focal point of an offense for a few good role players...We have a few good role players...from your point of view I would probably do this deal as like you said...you have a bunch of awesome role players and losing 3 wouldn't seem like it would effect the Spurs much...they always just find more good role players to plug holes...I think Jefferson would be a good fit with the Spurs, though the conflict of space with Duncan is a bit confusing, but understandably the Spurs want some one to take more of the load off of Duncan. I am hoping this rumor is dead...I like the DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe deal possibly for Jefferson that I have heard...I doubt anything will happen...The Jazz are ok, the young guys will get their time probably next year and either we trade for some missing parts, or have money to throw at someone.
@VKJackson I think Spurs could add draft picks to the 2nd proposal as well as exchange De Colo for Mills or Neal. You guys need playmakers like you said, and you need shooters to relieve pressure out of the logjam you have in the post.
Right now though, Jazz need to get out of the way in the West. They need to conceded playoff seeding in order to get into the draft lottery so you can develop your core young talent (Favors, Kanter, Evans, Hayward, etc). Draft players, develop talent, and don't overpay Jefferson should be the goal for the Jazz.
@CraigThomas I like our shooters, definitely a lot better there, the Log Jam at center is due more to too many players in the Post and not enough minutes for the young guys...I think the spacing and outside shooting are actually really good. Hayward could be the guy that I am thinking of, someone who can create his own shot and and be a facilitator...but he is still quite inconsistent, which hopefully continues to change.
I just see Al, as a near All-Star, and probably could have been an All-Star caliber of player and our go to guy, so to give him up for a bunch of role players scares me, to clear out the logjam for minutes we need either a playmaking point guard Dragic, Bledsoe...are a couple guys off the top of my head, and or a slasher/athletic shooting guard Derozan, I like Marshown Brooks potential as well. Splitter would just clog up the big man situation again, and is not as skilled as Big Al, Mills is a good shooter, but we have that in Foye, and Jackson just doesn't seem like a good Jazz fit, though he does have huge talent...his inconsistency and somewhat erratic behavior at times would drive Jazz fans crazy. No, in the long run if we can't address needs now, might as well see what happens in free agency and if Al leaves, use the money to address needs.
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@VKJackson Great points. I also didn't quite understand Splitter's inclusion because wouldn't a competitive guy like Ty Corbin want to start Splitter and therefore still limit opportunities for Kanter and Favors?
@andres783 I'd rather be on the receiving end of a Gortat trade. As much as I like watching Monta score the ball, I think it's been conclusively proven that he is just a volume shooter. We don't need extra scoring. If you look at the stats thus far in the season, it's clear what the Spurs' weakness is: rebounding. Despite getting Baynes and Splitter's development, I still think we could use rebounding.
Any trade that gets rid of Bonner/Blair is good by me though. This one though doesn't give us what we need.
@CraigThomas @andres783 What if Spurs get involved in a 3 team trade involving:Spurs,Suns and Jazz....Spurs receive O'neal(from phoenix),Utah receive gortat,shannon brown,future 1st rounder and cash(all from suns),and Phoenix recieve jefferson( from utah),blair and neal(both from spurs)
@EHdz89 Jermaine O'Neal? You want to trade 2 players for a once was, but no longer is? He's averaging 4.4 rebounds and 6.8 points per game. Spurs need better than that. I wouldn't trade Blair or Neal for him. I definitely wouldn't trade both, that's not a good deal. If it were Indiana Pacers Jermaine O'Neal, I would. The Phoenix Suns would get the best deal in that 3 team trade.
@growndhawgg I think it gives us a super bench with Manu and Monta, plus a great backup for Kawhi in Dudley and another big center in Oneal for backup minutes. Any comments why you dont like it?
@andres783 Monta Ellis is good, but we already have Tony Parker. We don't need two point guards trying to take over the game. Look how well it's working out for Milwaukee with him and Brandon Jennings, not that good. Jared Dudley is not bad, but I'd prefer to keep Stephen Jackson over him. Jermaine O'Neal is not what he used to be. He's old and his stats are not worth trading for. We need a Center that's going to rebound.
