What's left for Jazz: unproven points, added draft picks
That left the Jazz to sift through what remains in the aftermath of Friday's trade between Utah and Detroit: two largely unproven point guards in 29-year-old Keith McLeod and 24-year-old Raul Lopez, and one more first-round draft choice to add to their growing stockpile of picks.
Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, is anxious to evaluate McLeod, Lopez and other Jazz youngsters over the second half of Utah's season.
"We still haven't seen (All-Star) Andrei (Kirilenko, who missed 26 games until Saturday with a knee injury) and Raul play together," O'Connor said. "(Center) Curtis (Borchardt) is finally starting to play sometimes.
"I think that (evaluating) is what we're trying to do over the last (41) games — that, and try to win every game."
That is not to say, however, that the Jazz have made their last deal prior the NBA's Feb. 24 trade deadline.
O'Connor: "I'm not saying we're done; I'm not saying were looking to trade someone."
But they are looking to see how McLeod and Lopez in particular will play without Arroyo, the Jazz's starter in each game he played last season and for 16 games earlier this season, lurking in the shadows.
Still, the crowded backcourt made for some awkward moments at times.
"Sometimes you never know how you were going to play, or when you were going to play," McLeod said shortly after Arroyo was dealt. "Sometimes, it would be tough."
Sometimes, one or another — for injury reasons, or just because it was their turn — would sit for extended times.
Each time, though, all but Arroyo managed to overcome.
"For sure, with four point guards it's harder to play minutes," Lopez said. "But it was the situation, and I accepted it, and I just tried to do my best to be on the floor."
"The only thing you can do as a player is be ready when called upon," Eisley added. "You can't dictate how much you play, or even if you play at all."
With Arroyo no longer in the picture, though, no one among the three will have to wonder now from where their minutes might come.
As the starter, McLeod — who is playing in just his second NBA season, and is on a one-year contract — should continue to get plenty of playing time.
He welcomes the opportunity.
"I was playing when Carlos was here, so I don't feel like there's any pressure at all," said McLeod, who does admit he plays with something of a chip on his shoulder after going undrafted out of Bowling Green University. "I think I'll just pretty much keep doing what I'm doing."
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