Offseason Plan Comes Into Focus

Don't be fooled by the silence coming from the Jazz this off season. Sometimes it's the biggest news that gets passed through whispers. So what are the Jazz whispering?


1. Lock up Deron Williams - done
2. Prepare for Summer of 2009
3. Sign and Trade for Restricted Free Agent - pending
4. Solidify depth at PG - done

We Jazz fans have been told on many occasions this summer that the Jazz brass have been as active as any team in the free agent market. The difference between Jazz brass and other team's management? Jazz brass keep their workings in house.

The Jazz are at a CRITICAL junction which will decide the future of the franchise. The next two summers could either send the Jazz on their way to Utah's first NBA championship...or could send the Jazz down toward the bottom of the NBA's cellar. DWill is locked in for 4 years, with a player option for a 5th (1 year left on rookie contract in addition to new contract). DWill clearly wanted to see the state of the team after 4 years before committing to anything beyond that. Let's take a look at the Summer of 2009, and what it will likely entail:

Under Contract:
Deron Williams - $17.5 M
Andrei Kirilenko - $15.1 M
Matt Harpring - $6 M
CJ Miles - $3.7 M
Kosta Koufos - $1.8 M

Not Under Contract:
Carlos Boozer - Free Agent-opt out {current = $11.5 M, expected = $17 M}
Mehmet Okur - Free Agent - opt out {current = $8.5 M, expected = $12 M}
Kyle Korver - Free Agent - opt out {current = $5 M, expected = $6 M}
Jarron Collins - Free Agent
Ronnie Price - Free Agent
Brevin Knight - Free Agent
Ronnie Brewer - Eligible for extension {current = $2 M, expected = $6M}
Paul Millsap - Eligible for extension {current = $1 M, expected = $6M}

In order for the Jazz to re-sign the key pieces they currently have, their overall payroll will increase by an expected $19 million (not including luxury tax implications)! That is HUGE for any team, let alone a small market team like the Jazz. Larry Miller has always been willing to open his pockets and pay players, but if he were to open his wallet that much, the team would be in such financial problems, it would be have to be sold or moved to a bigger market.

Needless to say, the Jazz have know what's coming, and have been preparing for that day. Any Free Agent they signed with the MLE this year, would increase that number even more. If Boozer jumps ship and Memo jumps ship, Deron won't be happy with his supporting cast and may opt to leave in 4 years (3 from that point).

So what can the Jazz doing to prepare? The Jazz HAVE to clear some roster space. They can do this by trading for expiring contracts, or for a combination of players, some which may stay on as a piece to the puzzle, some which will expire and come off the books just in time. The Jazz can also trade a young up and coming player in exchange for a future draft pick (knowing the payday that will be necessary next year).

With a maxed out roster, and upcoming financial demands, the Jazz have not pursued any significant Free Agents...word regarding Unrestricted Free Agents usually gets passed around the NBA pretty quick. Now Restricted Free Agents, that's a different story.

Luol Deng for Andrei Kirilenko Rumors:
Not that the Jazz don't have a spot and a need for AK on the team, but when you realize there is only so much money to pass around, Memo and Boozer are simply more valuable than AK. AK makes $15M, and comes off the books in 2 years. There is very little chance AK returns to Utah after this contract. The Jazz may just let his contract run out and see what happens. Or the Jazz could move AK for a cheaper contract combined with expiring contracts. Rumors are floating about the Jazz going after Chicago Restricted Free Agent Luol Deng (SF), who would fit in perfectly with the Jazz. Deng will likely receive around $10M per year, and a second player may need to be included to match salaries. The second player would need to be an expiring contract who could come off the books next season or be bought out of their contract. (Drew Gooden $7M, Tyrus Thomas $4M, Thabo Sefolosha $2M, Cedric Simmons $1.5M) Considering the value of Deng for Kirilenko is pretty much even, the pieces would need to be insignificant players.