14th roster spot

Now, that bell will be bought out, there is a roster spot open. The Jazz almost always go with 14 players, and not the max 15. This gives them flexibility to sign someone or do a 2 for 1 where they get 2 pieces at the trade deadline. Right now, without Bell the Jazz are down to 13 players.

What do they do? I can very easily see them going into training camp without making another move, and having an open roster spot, for someone they like out of camp. My gut says, that this is what they do. However, the Jazz have the full mid-level exception available.

Who available would you like the Jazz to talk to? I tweeted, a few names. Here they are.

Jodie Meeks (this depends, on if you think burks is out of position at the 3). As much as i hate UK, I like him. Can shoot, and play descent defense. Really think he is a good backup.

Courtney Lee: Love him. Saw him in high school, and have liked him ever since. Can shoot, and play defense.

Carlos Delfino- Same as Courtney Lee. Gets a bunch of steals, and has a descent shot. Can flip between the 2 and 3 no problem.

Brandon Rush- Had a good year in GS. I liked him in Indy. Brings toughness, and shot above 50% for the year. Also 45% from beyond the arc. Probably goes back down to 40% from the arc next year, but still a very good shooter, and can do other things.

DJ Augustine- Last year was a bad year. However, who on Charlotte did not have a bad year? Would give Utah an upgrade at backup PG, and could give them a somewhat young option there.

Johnny Flynn- call me crazy, but i dont think he is a bust yet. He had a good rookie year. I remember him torching Dwill. Could be a cheap moneyball pick up. Have not given up on him yet.

No AK on that list?

TheMagnus wrote:

No AK on that list?

Only because reports are surfacing he will stay in Russia. He would be on the list if it was not for those reports. AK47 is better than any of them.

therawns wrote:

TheMagnus wrote:

No AK on that list?

Only because reports are surfacing he will stay in Russia. He would be on the list if it was not for those reports. AK47 is better than any of them.

Yeah AK has reached an agreement to stay in Russia for the next season.

Far and away I'd love to get Courtney Lee. But I think he's a starter, and wants to start and will choose accordingly for that also. Same with Delfino and Rush, though neither will start. Would love to get all 3 for the MLE.

More realistically, and I'd definitely be for it, would be to sign Jody Meeks. Natural 2 guard, that strokes the 3, and certainly could be had. I'd definitely be happy with that.

Augustine and Flynn, I really dont see that point.

Any other rumored or targeted???

Well this is a disappointment:

Sam Amick ‏@sam_amick
Source says free agent Danny Green has agreed to return to San Antonio on a three-year deal, $12 million.

Hmm. Kind of thought Mr. Green was going to be in Utah. Think we could of had him for 3yr 14m or something. Too bad, would have been a nice addition.

Jazz need another wing, maybe a veteran to come of the bench. Proven players we have are Hayward and Williams, even if we consider Burks, that's still not enough. I would like (for the right price, of course):

1-Michael Redd
2-Mickael Pietrus
3-Leandro Barbosa
4-Rudy Fernandez
5-Carlos Delfino
6-Brandon Rush
7-Courtney Lee
8-Shannon Brown
9-Marco Belinelli
10-Jodie Meeks

OJ Mayo would be ahead some of them, but I believe he's overrated, so he would be too expensive.

Leoverine wrote:

Jazz need another wing, maybe a veteran to come of the bench. Proven players we have are Hayward and Williams, even if we consider Burks, that's still not enough. I would like (for the right price, of course):

1-Michael Redd
2-Mickael Pietrus
3-Leandro Barbosa
4-Rudy Fernandez
5-Carlos Delfino
6-Brandon Rush
7-Courtney Lee
8-Shannon Brown
9-Marco Belinelli
10-Jodie Meeks

OJ Mayo would be ahead some of them, but I believe he's overrated, so he would be too expensive.

If Redd would accept a bench-sniper role in Utah then he would be a nice veteran addition to the team. Pietrus would be great as a deep threat and a good defender, but he would command more minutes, which takes away from Burks/Gordy.

I'm still on board for a move to bring in a star wing like Iggy. But if it's not a star then I'd rather get a 10-15MPG, specialist than a player who needs more minutes.

Leoverine wrote:

Jazz need another wing, maybe a veteran to come of the bench. Proven players we have are Hayward and Williams, even if we consider Burks, that's still not enough. I would like (for the right price, of course):

1-Michael Redd
2-Mickael Pietrus
3-Leandro Barbosa
4-Rudy Fernandez
5-Carlos Delfino
6-Brandon Rush
7-Courtney Lee
8-Shannon Brown
9-Marco Belinelli
10-Jodie Meeks

OJ Mayo would be ahead some of them, but I believe he's overrated, so he would be too expensive.

Our 14th is kind of a tough call, because we have a ton of guys who need a ton of minutes, and alot of those available out there are going to want to play substantial minutes:

At least 30mins: Paul/Al/Mo/Marv/Gordo/Derrick maybe even Alec Burks
Roughly 20mins: DC/Kanter(Burks)
At least 10mins: Watson/Murphy
Leftover: Evans/Tinsley

So without a trade, thats alot of minutes, realistically 7 guys playing starter minutes and IMO rightfully so; they're all good enough to get starter minutes. Also want Kanter to develop and play 20mins+ this year, so that makes 8 guys getting alot of minutes. I think Murphy is actually going to be really pretty good too, though jury is still out---but he may very well be a shooter we need. So at this point I'd like to see someone like Belinelli or Jody Meeks, two guys with great 3pt shooting. Or, Darko is getting amnestied as is Haywood, two big shotblockers and rebounders who bring some weight. Maybe Fes.
I think this team as constituted is ready to go, just need to add someone with a specific skill.

My vote is for Deron Washington. The kid is fun to watch.

The Voice of Reason wrote:

My vote is for Deron Washington. The kid is fun to watch.

Hah, Smash?? Yea, is my kind of guy too.

I like Smash but think the Jazz would be better served if they went with a big to fill the 14th spot, just 1 injure at either the center or power forward position and they would be very thin. It has been reported that the Rockets are going to amnesty Scola maybe the Jazz could offer them a future pick for him before they do it, I just don't understand why they would even think of doing this with him he is a very good player.

dongibby wrote:

It has been reported that the Rockets are going to amnesty Scola maybe the Jazz could offer them a future pick for him before they do it, I just don't understand why they would even think of doing this with him he is a very good player.

Making cap room to pursue Howard?

dongibby wrote:

I like Smash but think the Jazz would be better served if they went with a big to fill the 14th spot, just 1 injure at either the center or power forward position and they would be very thin. It has been reported that the Rockets are going to amnesty Scola maybe the Jazz could offer them a future pick for him before they do it, I just don't understand why they would even think of doing this with him he is a very good player.

A pick for Scola would be a great deal, but I worry about bringing in a player that will need 20-25 MPG to keep them happy. That would pretty much mean demoting Kanter to the D-League for the year, baring injury. Guess it depends on where people stand when it comes to player development.

An intriguing idea for that 5th big man is Greg Oden. He can't play big minutes or probably every game anyway. He may be worth taking a chance on in a limited role. I'm sure he can still defend he paint well enough in limited minutes to be worth a small contract.

zero24gravity wrote:

An intriguing idea for that 5th big man is Greg Oden. He can't play big minutes or probably every game anyway. He may be worth taking a chance on in a limited role. I'm sure he can still defend he paint well enough in limited minutes to be worth a small contract.

I haven't even heard his name in a while. Any idea on his health?

Romoholic wrote:

zero24gravity wrote:

An intriguing idea for that 5th big man is Greg Oden. He can't play big minutes or probably every game anyway. He may be worth taking a chance on in a limited role. I'm sure he can still defend he paint well enough in limited minutes to be worth a small contract.

I haven't even heard his name in a while. Any idea on his health?

Might not be available at the beginning of the year ... but nobody seems to know fore sure.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/greg-oden-agent-open-playing-season-think-play-185000405--nba.html

I like Brendan Haywood as our 14th. Mean, huge shotblocker. Probably better as a backup verses 3rd string, but can even start if needed.
Guessing, he probably wouldn't want to come to Utah, but he was just amnestied so wouldn't have a choice if we had the winning bid.

You know who we should go after though, is CJ Watson who was just amnestied. Thats like Earl and Tinsley combined, but with more athleticism and younger. Be nice if we could more one of our PG's for a back up Center and then get CJ off of waivers.

zero24gravity wrote:

An intriguing idea for that 5th big man is Greg Oden. He can't play big minutes or probably every game anyway. He may be worth taking a chance on in a limited role. I'm sure he can still defend he paint well enough in limited minutes to be worth a small contract.

I hate to say it but after watching Kanter in these summer league game's he don't look to have made a whole lot of improvement in his offensive game, he look's to be about the same player he was at the end of last season. The Kid is still Young and has time to get better but I think the Jazz should try to find a big that can come in and play some back up minutes and if he turn's out to be a good player that helps the team win how could that hurt anything. With that said I have to say that I liked the Ideal that someone had about trying to sign Robin Lopez maybe the Sun's don't match it or maybe they do but he would be a very nice add to this young team.

Odem want's to play and is open for offers from what it say's in the rumor mill's might be worth the risk to take a chance on him there are players who have made good come back after as many knee operations as he has had.

dongibby wrote:

zero24gravity wrote:

An intriguing idea for that 5th big man is Greg Oden. He can't play big minutes or probably every game anyway. He may be worth taking a chance on in a limited role. I'm sure he can still defend he paint well enough in limited minutes to be worth a small contract.

I hate to say it but after watching Kanter in these summer league game's he don't look to have made a whole lot of improvement in his offensive game, he look's to be about the same player he was at the end of last season. The Kid is still Young and has time to get better but I think the Jazz should try to find a big that can come in and play some back up minutes and if he turn's out to be a good player that helps the team win how could that hurt anything. With that said I have to say that I liked the Ideal that someone had about trying to sign Robin Lopez maybe the Sun's don't match it or maybe they do but he would be a very nice add to this young team.

Odem want's to play and is open for offers from what it say's in the rumor mill's might be worth the risk to take a chance on him there are players who have made good come back after as many knee operations as he has had.

One, Robin Lopez is bad. He is a big im hesitant to put out on the floor.

If you get a C that gets more PT than kanter, how do you develop him? He wont develop on the bench. Im not putting much stock into summer ball.

dongibby wrote:

I hate to say it but after watching Kanter in these summer league game's he don't look to have made a whole lot of improvement in his offensive game, he look's to be about the same player he was at the end of last season. The Kid is still Young and has time to get better but I think the Jazz should try to find a big that can come in and play some back up minutes and if he turn's out to be a good player that helps the team win how could that hurt anything. With that said I have to say that I liked the Ideal that someone had about trying to sign Robin Lopez maybe the Sun's don't match it or maybe they do but he would be a very nice add to this young team.

Have you watched Kanter the last two games??? He looked lost at first, but for at least the last two he's looked like a solid young player. Two solid double doubles, and is leading the Summer League in rebounds. For a guy with no lift, he has been constantly in the tall trees and comes down with it every time. This last game especially he had alot more offensive moves. He was quick, decisive and successful. He had his usual up and under, but he had some very nice spin moves to the baseline for a reverse layup. He also went a step further on his up and under and brought it back around for a third move (ala Hakeem) back to the front for some nice hooks. IN 24 mins he had 12pts on 5-6, with 11 rebs and 2 steals. Solid again.
With 3 solid baseline moves, it keeps defenders guessing. Kanter also ran the floor for some nice break away layups. Guy looked great. He needs minutes this upcoming season. In summer league you can see he's pressing, but learning. He's ready for some back up minutes for sure, and still rebounds like a vet. Slow start, but Kanter is looking every bit a good pick and getting better.

Btw, if any of you haven't seen Burks, dude is killing it. Easily best player in summer league, whatever that means, but still, he's ready for big time minutes. What a great pick by KOC.

Mutangclan wrote:

dongibby wrote:

I hate to say it but after watching Kanter in these summer league game's he don't look to have made a whole lot of improvement in his offensive game, he look's to be about the same player he was at the end of last season. The Kid is still Young and has time to get better but I think the Jazz should try to find a big that can come in and play some back up minutes and if he turn's out to be a good player that helps the team win how could that hurt anything. With that said I have to say that I liked the Ideal that someone had about trying to sign Robin Lopez maybe the Sun's don't match it or maybe they do but he would be a very nice add to this young team.

Have you watched Kanter the last two games??? He looked lost at first, but for at least the last two he's looked like a solid young player. Two solid double doubles, and is leading the Summer League in rebounds. For a guy with no lift, he has been constantly in the tall trees and comes down with it every time. This last game especially he had alot more offensive moves. He was quick, decisive and successful. He had his usual up and under, but he had some very nice spin moves to the baseline for a reverse layup. He also went a step further on his up and under and brought it back around for a third move (ala Hakeem) back to the front for some nice hooks. IN 24 mins he had 12pts on 5-6, with 11 rebs and 2 steals. Solid again.
With 3 solid baseline moves, it keeps defenders guessing. Kanter also ran the floor for some nice break away layups. Guy looked great. He needs minutes this upcoming season. In summer league you can see he's pressing, but learning. He's ready for some back up minutes for sure, and still rebounds like a vet. Slow start, but Kanter is looking every bit a good pick and getting better.

Btw, if any of you haven't seen Burks, dude is killing it. Easily best player in summer league, whatever that means, but still, he's ready for big time minutes. What a great pick by KOC.

Ya, I have been watching you have to remember this is summer league and good players should be able to dominate like Burks is doing, scoring 10-12 points a game is not dominating IMO. He looks to be at about the same level that he was at when the season ended the way I see it, on the defensive end he is not stopping any of these other young guys they are putting up just as big of numbers as he is. I think the kid has got a long ways to go before he is going to be able to help the Jazz in the an NBA game, hope I am wrong but it sure is not looking that way.

dongibby wrote:

Ya, I have been watching you have to remember this is summer league and good players should be able to dominate like Burks is doing, scoring 10-12 points a game is not dominating IMO. He looks to be at about the same level that he was at when the season ended the way I see it, on the defensive end he is not stopping any of these other young guys they are putting up just as big of numbers as he is. I think the kid has got a long ways to go before he is going to be able to help the Jazz in the an NBA game, hope I am wrong but it sure is not looking that way.

Of course it's only Summer League, Im not looking at him as beating up on stars. Why do you expect him to dominate when everyone he's playing against has more experience than he does. I'm looking at him and seeing him doing the things he should be. And Burks played two years of college ball, while Kanter had none. No comparison. And 12pts a game is not dominating, but how do you expect him to score better than 5-6? He only got 6 shots. Can't do much better than 5-6. For the tournament he went 23-46 and thats with the bad first 1-7 game. 50% shooting isn't too shabby at all, and also grabbing all the rebounds. Actually leading the Summer League in rebounds, which is great.
Kanter already is better offensively than he was last year. More than just the up and under. KOC was saying yesterday that Enes was a 2-3 year project, and he's already ahead of schedule. Shouldn't be expecting him to dominate, should be expecting him to play well, which he is. And there weren't any bigs that dominated him; Drummond that first game was tough, but thats it. Enes is playing good position defense, not making silly fouls, and getting his hands straight up when guys are driving into him.
Enes played this tournament very well, scored a high percentage, took good shots, rebounded great, and played good big man defense. He's still a project, and is still progressing.
His rebounding and size alone, with no silly fouls, is good enough of a reason to get back up minutes this upcoming season.

I liked the Jazz drafting Kanter, so I have nothing to criticize about it. That said, kid's got no chance for more than little minutes a night. I expected much more from him. Hope bad conditioning have something to do with it, but hey... that's not a good excuse either I guess...

Mutangclan wrote:

dongibby wrote:

Ya, I have been watching you have to remember this is summer league and good players should be able to dominate like Burks is doing, scoring 10-12 points a game is not dominating IMO. He looks to be at about the same level that he was at when the season ended the way I see it, on the defensive end he is not stopping any of these other young guys they are putting up just as big of numbers as he is. I think the kid has got a long ways to go before he is going to be able to help the Jazz in the an NBA game, hope I am wrong but it sure is not looking that way.

Of course it's only Summer League, Im not looking at him as beating up on stars. Why do you expect him to dominate when everyone he's playing against has more experience than he does. I'm looking at him and seeing him doing the things he should be. And Burks played two years of college ball, while Kanter had none. No comparison. And 12pts a game is not dominating, but how do you expect him to score better than 5-6? He only got 6 shots. Can't do much better than 5-6. For the tournament he went 23-46 and thats with the bad first 1-7 game. 50% shooting isn't too shabby at all, and also grabbing all the rebounds. Actually leading the Summer League in rebounds, which is great.
Kanter already is better offensively than he was last year. More than just the up and under. KOC was saying yesterday that Enes was a 2-3 year project, and he's already ahead of schedule. Shouldn't be expecting him to dominate, should be expecting him to play well, which he is. And there weren't any bigs that dominated him; Drummond that first game was tough, but thats it. Enes is playing good position defense, not making silly fouls, and getting his hands straight up when guys are driving into him.
Enes played this tournament very well, scored a high percentage, took good shots, rebounded great, and played good big man defense. He's still a project, and is still progressing.
His rebounding and size alone, with no silly fouls, is good enough of a reason to get back up minutes this upcoming season.

I would hope that he would be able to play better against guys that have only played college ball for 1 or 2 season for sure I mean really that is not that mush more experience than he has to tell the truth and Ya like I have been saying he still has a ways to go before he will be helping the Jazz in the NBA. He is playing at the same level as these kids who are coming out of college and I am not so sure that he will be able to give prime back up minutes in the NBA at this time, now if the Jazz has an injure to one of the bigs and they have to depend on him they could very well be in for a rough time.

I am not saying that Kanter is a bust but he is showing that he still has a ways to go before the Jazz can count on him in an NBA game the way I see things, let's hope that he can step it up and turn things around before the season starts.