Utah Jazz: Next Off Season Move
By Cody Powers
The Utah Jazz have only made one move this off season. However, for the future of the Jazz youth and the future of the franchise, it was a very big and much-needed move. There is still some work to be done before the season, but what moves the Jazz make is a mystery. Let’s take a look at some possible scenarios.
Currently, the Jazz roster sits at 12. It could sit at 11 if the Jazz decide to release Jerel McNeal, who is with the Jazz on a non-guaranteed contract. Here is a current look at the roster: Alec Burks, Jeremy Evans, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter, Jerel McNeal, Marvin Williams, Trey Burke, Rudy Gobert, Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson and Brandon Rush.
As of now, the Jazz only have one point guard on the roster in Burke. The Jazz have always carried at least three point guards on the roster, which should mean you could see two more signed. The Jazz acquired Raul Neto from the Atlanta Hawks on draft night and he has played in two summer league games after finally being cleared to play. If the Jazz want him to play next season, he will have to be bought out of his current contract Lagun Aro GBC in Spain.
Jamaal Tinsley, who played well as the starter in Mo Williams‘ absence last season, has said that he would like to remain loyal to the Jazz and return next season. Neto could be worth the buyout. Tinsley is definitely worth a veteran minimum salary to come in and be a mentor to Burke.
If these two come to play for the Jazz next season, the roster would then sit at 14. They would probably stop their offseason acquisitions right there.
In a recent interview (per the Deseret News), Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said that it is “time to see what these young guys can do.” If that is the case, the Jazz could have a starting group with an average age of 21.5 years. This is what Jazz fans have been asking for though.
The Jazz are trying to use the same model as the Oklahoma City Thunder have used. If it works out the same way, expect the Jazz to make a deep run into the playoffs shortly.
Russell Westbrook‘s rookie season, the first season the Thunder’s “core” was all together, the team won 23 games. The next season, the Thunder jumped up in the win column dramatically. By the third season together, the Thunder reached the NBA Finals.
Give it time, Jazz fans, but the future starts now.