Deseret News | Utah Jazz talked Kirilenko for McGrady trade

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Utah Jazz talked Kirilenko for McGrady trade

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how is this bad? | 1:23 p.m. July 4, 2009

The Jazz don't have a player on the roster that can score off the dribble besides D-Will. McGrady has proven to be a capable defender. This is a no brainer. Swing Koufus, Almond and AK and get the ball rolling. AK isn't exactly in his prime either..

bozo | 1:25 p.m. July 4, 2009

we need to trade boozer first off. Second tmac couldn't make it past the first round because the jazz were a more complete team. He would help us in so many ways if he is healthy he can take his man one on one, he can defend the likes of kobe, (I know that there are many out there that think brewer can but in reality he cannot), and he is a great shooter. He was a cancer in the locker room of hou because they would put all the blame on him.
Please O'connor make this move then move boozer

matt | 1:27 p.m. July 4, 2009

this is a salary dump decision and a good one. it get us into good financial territory in 2010. do it.

Comments continue below

todd from s. ana "hee hee" | 1:27 p.m. July 4, 2009

I am laughing my head off watching all this emotion and fighting on these posts over "Mcgrady"

After all the possible players O Connor could have obtained and would not, yet he is willing to match salaries to move kirilenko yet would not even help till next year. What is the point? McGrady as injury prone as Bill WALTON, Cannot play a full season. Would not have him till February, Plus when he has the ball DWIL might as well be a spectator.

Those that "love" this same roster...

i agree with the cynical posts that say O Connor is as likely to resign "Boyzer and Okurrie" to long term new contracties,

If you are going to do this you better go for D" Antoni run and gun and score 120 points per game.

You might as well go wth starting 5 of DWIL, Korver, Boozer, Okur and Koustos/Goran/Fez 3 headed monster at center.

Of course the opposing small forward might average 40 ppg

That would be fine for Sloan and his "sloanaholics" as he would settle for this and the open 3s unguarded figuring Okur can hit 10 "3s" a game and we win anyway.

Opener | 1:44 p.m. July 4, 2009

If Utah will get Tmac. We will lose in the first round for sure)

Jazz Cop | 1:44 p.m. July 4, 2009

Do it. I'd be willing to take a flier on mcgrady. Mcgrady tried to play through his injury last year, he's taken too much blame for the rockets. The rockets want to dump him, do it. Mcgrady is one of the most dangerous players. If he's healthy, the jazz make out like bandits, and the rockets do well for themselves too. If he's not healthy, maybe he can be bought out, and I don't have to watch a disinterested ak47. Ak47 used to be my favorite player, but after his half hearted attempt at the end of last season, I've concluded it's unlikely he'll give it his all for the jazz, at least in the regular season.

PSTL-44 | 1:53 p.m. July 4, 2009

UTAH IS A VERY SOFT TEAM & NEEDS TUFFNESS.ENTER RAJA BELL, MATT BARNES & BRANDON BASS. 2) GET RID OF AK-47 WHO NEVER LIFTED WEIGHTS IN HIS LIFE TO GET STRONGER & DIDN'T EVER CARE ABOUT IMPROVING HIS GAME & LOSE BOOZER WHO HAS TO BE THE WORST DEFENSIVE SOFT PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE.BOOZER WILL HAVE A RUDE AWAKENING NEXT YEAR HIS TRUE VALUE;MAYBE 5 MILLION A YEAR.3) GET A CENTER WHO CAN JUMP,DUNK,INTIMIDATE,& GIVE HARD FOULS.4)UTAH MOVED TOO SLOW IN GETTING TREVOR WHO IS THE BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE, NOW WHO ON UTAH CAN GUARD KOBE IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS ????? (NO TITLE FOR UTAH UNTIL THEY GET A DEFENSIVE MINDED SHUT-DOWN PLAYER)...BRING JEFF HORNY OUT OF RETIREMENT !!!! FINALY 5) SLOAN NEEDS TO RIDE HIS JOHN DEERE INTO THE SUNSET & BRING IN FIERY JEFF HORNY AS NEW COACH.

re: @above | 2:12 p.m. July 4, 2009

"Greg seems to be slowly fixing the management problems. They did not over pay anyone yet. That is encouraging."

Greg was in charge when they matched the CJ's OK City Offer. If CJ isn't over paid than no one is.

McKay | 2:16 p.m. July 4, 2009

People this has little if anything to do with having Tracy play for the Jazz, if this ever happened it would be purely about the Jazz ridding themselves of paying that ridiculous salary to AK and his mid level stats. If it happened, Tracy probably wouldn't even play a game for the Jazz, he may never play again with the injury he has. This is 100% to do with AK eating up the Jazz cap while doing little to help the team anymore.

If Fez would get | 2:27 p.m. July 4, 2009

his zeeking act together the Jazz could play an inside out game with some decent outside shooters as an alternative game plan.

Maynor/DWill, Korver, CJ, Okur/Koufos or Suton at PF could create a plan B approach when needed. There are times when the 2nd team should run a different type of game.

Note the Jazz are weak on outside shooting and that needs to be corrected. Why are the Cs the best outside shooters? That is by design and backwards from most teams.

The Jazz need a SG can shoot and defend.

on the fence.. | 2:34 p.m. July 4, 2009

about this one. With T-mac healthy and added to our roster we could be a force to recon with offensively. On the other hand our defense would be terrible. So i think we should make the trade cause our defense is already really really bad. T-mac takes pressure off of everybody and could be 2nd on the team in assists. he can hit the outside jumper and make the other team play honest, if healthy. You guys are making to much out of t-mac not getting out of the 1st round. Thats because he was the main man on those teams. We have Dwill and a veteran team thats been there. Make the trade get Kiristinko and his 10% shooting and 20% effort out of here.

@Anoymous | 3:03 p.m. July 4, 2009

T-Mac?!!! What are they smoking? T-Mac has missed many more games than Boozer I'll bet. NO, NO, NO...don't make the deal. Kirilenko won't thrive any where else. He's a Jazz man through and through. Let's keep him and look for someone else besides T-Mac.

Miles | 3:04 p.m. July 4, 2009

Love all the trade Boozer talk. Problem is you all want to trade Boozer for a lesser player. Now that makes sense (rolling eyes). Then let's trade AK for a guy who can't play so we can save money. Since when did the fan save money? Miller can spend as much money as he wants. Not my money. I could care-a-less how much he spends. This team is one player away from the finals and you all want the team destroyed by trades. Nice...

david | 3:41 p.m. July 4, 2009

why on earth do the jazz need two players who will contribute 30-40 games a seasons- if you can call it contributing

Thomas | 6:44 p.m. July 4, 2009

The Jazz just have to do something. Not that I don't love this Jazz team but there is no way they can be a championship contender with the team they are currently suiting up. Yeah they might be able to win a series in the playoffs, maybe two, but that is about the extent of it. I would have loved to see this T-Mac trade go down because it would have given the Jazz a prolific scorer and athlete that they have been lacking for so long. I hope by the end of the off season the Jazz make some trade for Boozer or AK, not because I don't like the guys, but the Jazz, if they want to compete for a title, have to make some changes.

Anonymous | 7:05 p.m. July 4, 2009

Don't understand why people just don't get it. Trading AK/Harpring for McGrady, Jazz would be puttin themselves in an excellent situation for 2010-2011, baceuse they would be carrying about 48-50M in expiring contracts.
Jazz would be with more than decent cap space even after resigning players like Okur, Brewer, Korver or after sign and trade them...
And Jazz only have to part ways with Kirilenko's very bad contrafct and a player who most probably cannot play anymore...
Just don't get it why some posters continue talking about McGradys missed games... it has nothing to do with the goal of this trade...

todd to above | 7:29 p.m. July 4, 2009

Maybe because many fans here care not about the financial aspect as much as "the old fashioned standard how do you contribute the Jazz as a player and a person". Values that many of us love about the state and what "the Jazz are supposed to be about". I think people want to do it the honest way, i know what you are saying though. You have to play the game and that is what I accuse O Connor of not doing. If Mcgrady could have played the whole season, I might have beem more for it. Basically is renting a player for 2 months.

Miles: How can you say the Jazz are one player away? Who a true defensive center?

I believed too much in this "talent" last year and we saw how it finished over last third of season, it was all not Boozer either.

You are like me about SLoan we are in agreement how does this group win under him?

Another coach I might have been more for this staying "pat"

However, we are talking about Mr. Inflexible "jer"
and of course his "loving sloanaholics"

AKs contract will be worth | 7:38 p.m. July 4, 2009

a lot more than McGrady later. It is not needed this year and AK can contribute a lot. Trading AK for nothing (McGrady) only helps HOU. AK can be traded next summer for some real value and can contribute all of this year.

The Jazz are not worried about the luxury tax. It is not going to kill them. They will learn to manage their cap better and might even spend enough to produce a winner in the longer run. They knew 2 years ago they could go into the luxury tax this year. They could have made some moves if they chose to. They may go into it again when Brewer's contract is up.

Losing Millsap will not kill them. They will replace him. Losing Brewer will not kill them. It may help.

Role players are replaceable. The Jazz have to learn that before they can contend. Semi Stars are replaceable. That is how we got here. L Miller over paid AK. He over paid Ostertag and killed any chance the Jazz had of winning a championship for a decade.

The Jazz have to learn the hard way. Greg seems to understand and is adjusting.

jazz fan | 11:42 p.m. July 4, 2009

i would love this trade add boozer i mean LOOZER and that is a good deal all the other west teams are making deals and becoming better and its about time the jazz start doing the same or they will not win a championship so get t-mac!

Miles | 12:08 a.m. July 5, 2009

To Todd: We have the best Point Guard in the league. We have one of the top players at his position in Boozer. Memo is better than most centers in the League. CJ and Brewer are Ok. But every team has a weakness in their starting lineup. We have AK and Millsap who are two of the best bench players in the league. If we could get a premier 2/3 outside scoring threat and AK would stop being a headcase. Boozer and Memo would just attempt to play defense. The Jazz are as good as any in the league.

AH!! | 2:02 a.m. July 5, 2009

JUST DO THE TRADE PLEASE

Blauch | 10:17 a.m. July 5, 2009

Boozer socre points and rebound, while AK scores less and rebounds less but defends, passes, gets steels, alters shots (sometime blocks them) and moves without the ball.

+/- stats are only valuable over long periods of time.

During the last 5 years when we had AK and Boozer - AK total combined Plus Minus is 833 points when on the court and -382 when he is off the court, While Boozer is + 332 when on the court, but +119 when he is on the coury - both less the than the teams total +/- of +451.

That means over the last 5 year when AK was on the court they outscored their opponets and won games and when he was not on the court the Jazz are out scored and they lose, but when boozer it makes no differnce if he was on or off the court.

AK impact to the Jazz winning games over the last 5 year is much greater than Boozer.

Boozer helps you score points and rebounds, AK helps you win games. But everyone complains about AK salary and no one ever complains about Boozer salary. WHY? WHY does everyone only look at points and rebound and not wins?

Anonymous | 10:20 a.m. July 5, 2009

ROCKET FAN

It was Houston who proposed the trade and the Jazz shot it down.

Anonymous | 12:23 p.m. July 5, 2009

AK and Harp leave and McGrady in would be the best thing for utah to do in the offseason.

Nick Mortensen | 1:21 p.m. July 5, 2009

The Jazz would be a championship caliber team if they would just make a blockbuster trade like this. The rotation they have if excellent but it wont be complete unless they acquire an all-star scorer that can stick with the Kobe and Lebron's of the league. MAKE THE TRADE UTAH...

lynn | 1:23 p.m. July 5, 2009

Yikes. McGrady is always injured. Boozer is always injured. It seems like one ultra-delicate starter is already 1 too many. I'd rather see the Jazz get someone more durable. No matter how great a player is, he's not just useless--he's actually a detriment--if he's not on the floor.

DO IT!! | 1:38 p.m. July 5, 2009

I'm sick of AK and his contract hold down. We trade AK and matt and then houston releases him. We could keep T Mac and he'd not have all the pressure on him, he could come in score 17 to 18 points a game and do good again. He knows next year he's gonna be like iverson and in the free agent market that no one wants. If he can come here and show everyone he's a team player and that will help him out in the big 2010 market. Also he'd play with a chip on his shoulder by never getting out the 2nd round and how everyone says he's done. He could be a great fit!! But i'd much rather do the maggette trade from earlier i heard about.

ROCKETS FAN | 2:37 p.m. July 5, 2009

after reading all the blogs...i've come to one conclusion...people from utah can't spell...the grammar is atrocious...has utah ever won a championship in any sport...oh...i forgot...you don't have baseball or football...good luck in the slalom...

Anonymous | 2:43 p.m. July 5, 2009

Rocket fan what is a slalom

And you are talking about our spelling.

todd to above | 2:56 p.m. July 5, 2009

Let us see Utah Utes have one Ncaa Baketball title, the 1984 BYU COUGARS won the National Championship.

I was curious between the Astros and Rangers how many titles you won in Baseball....

thanks..

Oh I forgot the "love you blue" Houston Oilers/Texans. Do not come back with the DYnamo that is B level Soccer.

By the way after "has utah ever won a championship in any sport:

Is there not supposed to be a question mark after that?

I'd Take It... | 3:13 p.m. July 5, 2009

McGrady for AK and others? I'd take that all day. Even if McGrady leaves after one year, we don't have to pay AK $18 million next year. His contract is the reason we are in this finacial mess yet he can't even start for us. He's out of position here. Plus, McGrady will have a lot to prove when he comes back next season. If we can stay above water prior to him coming back, he could provide an enormous spark down the stretch. We know Deron is our star and Tracy would have to play in his shadow but Tracy would give us the dynamic scorer at SG we've always wanted.

Anonymous | 5:07 p.m. July 5, 2009

Jazz doesn't need SG as scorer because of Sloan system. MCG'll never play meaningful game. Oh well who cares JAzz never been winner with Jerry.

terrible trade | 6:56 p.m. July 5, 2009

not only do we pick up a larger contract for another injury prone player - more so than even AK - but we HELP houston get better. Say what you want, mcgrady may be more talented than AK, but last year he only played 35 games. If he were to only play that many this year, and AK put in a near full season like last, Houston gets a steal out of the trade, and the jazz get to watch tmac and booze ride the bench again. Bad idea, glad its not gonna happen. Yes AK's contract is big, but he's not a detrement to the team; he can still play. keeping him for 1 more season will help the jazz more than hurt them, instead of trading for tmac. plus him and sloan would hate each other.

Anonymous | 7:54 p.m. July 5, 2009

this a nice news to hear, AK is a great player, but his intensity had gone down over the past two seasons, maybe he is just not happy anymore with the Jazz, and because of that if affects not only him but his team's performance, I think its better to part ways to benefit both parties.. T-Mac playing for Utah? Wow! D-Will, T-Mac, and Memo in the same floor in going to be awesome!.. the problem is will T-Mac fit into Sloan system?.. AK for T-Mac is a great news.. but so many things to consider like the salary of T-Mac, although it will save Jazz money in the future.. and also now that everyone knows that Houston is trying to trade T-Mac, I'm very sure that many teams will consider him

Pastor88 | 8:20 p.m. July 5, 2009

Buckley, What does Kobe get in 2009?
How about KG( Kevin Garnett), who was at 24 mil in 2008. Did he have a salary reduction tied to his contract?

PG | 1:27 a.m. July 6, 2009

I hope Andrei is gone by the time the season starts

Jazzman | 8:51 a.m. July 6, 2009

If we get tracy mcgrady does this mean were not getting out of the first round ?

bry | 10:24 a.m. July 6, 2009

Hey smart ones, if t-mac did play the whole season last year there is no way that the jazz would ever be able to get him. He's an allstar strait up, grab him while we can and if we don't like him then don't resign him. Then go for a top free agent next off season.

Scott | 10:50 a.m. July 6, 2009

McGrady is the Rockets Carlos Boozer - extremely talented and the second best player on their team, but is always injured. Rockets fans have always questioned his heart, ability to win in the playoffs and his willingness to play hurt. He has also become much more of jump shooter rather than rim attacker.

McGrady is a great passer, scorer and, when healthy and motivated, one of the top 10 players in the NBA. The question is if he will be healthy and motivated. If not, Sloan will eat him alive.

JazzFan4ever | 10:52 a.m. July 6, 2009

If AK plays for the Jazz this year he will have a All-Star year.No Trades lets see what happens when everyone is healthy. If after 40 games they are not in the top 5 record wise then I will look into trades.If they are a great team and go deep into the playoffs then they will have some money to pay the luxury tax.I just want to see how they play after training camp and all healthy first.

Why Not? | 11:16 a.m. July 6, 2009

Why not trade Boozer to NY for Lee? This would help the Jazz get rid of the injury-prone player in Booz, and help NY get under the cap even more for the class of 2010. If the Jazz were to pull off a sign-trade for Lee, then they would be able to have a PF for several years that can still put up double-doubles, and might not cost them as much as Booz.

Think about it. What do the Jazz have to loose? Milsap is one of my favorites, but for anything over about 7 million, is too much for him as a starter. He broke down after 2 months of starting.

done | 2:31 p.m. July 6, 2009

They should do it. This will clear space for next year. Mcgrady, Boozer, AK and Harping will all be off the books as will Korver and Okur unless they sign extensions before the season ends. They could sign Millsap and possibly go after Bosh and a few other low key free agents next year. Mcgrady in the starting 5 this year with Booz and DWill would be pretty good.

Anonymous | 2:38 p.m. July 6, 2009

I say do it but only if Houston throws in there next lottery pick.

John | 3:49 p.m. July 6, 2009

AK should stay in utah.

Wait wait wait | 8:46 p.m. July 6, 2009

Many of you hate Boozer for always being out with injuries. Now you want another player that is very injury prone? That makes little to now sense what-so-ever.

Anonymous | 1:38 a.m. July 7, 2009

Get okur and the russian outta utah asap!! o and mr knight of coarse, guys a joke!! take kufor as well. there is where all the problems are at..

Apollo Sun | 8:07 a.m. July 7, 2009

The more i think about it, the more i'm content with our crrent team for one more season. First thing's first, bring Kirilenko back to the starting 5. Last year's 6th man experiment didnt work. Go for a rotation of:

D.Williams (E.Maynor)
R.Brewer (K.Korver)
A.Kirilenko (CJ Miles)
C.Boozer (P.Millsap)
M.Okur (K.Koufos)

When you look at that team, you see that, if the players stay fit, the Jazz should be very strong next season.

One idea though: I would say that the only weakness is that both Boozer and Okur play no defence. Meaning when they are both on the floor at once, it makes it too easy for other teams to exploit. Since Boozer wouldn't be happy to come off the bench, I say try Okur as 6th Man. Koufos could be a more traditional big in the middle, preventing the easy drives to the basket and hopefully even holding off the opposing bigs. Then Okur can lead the second team in scoring, and have Milsap alongside him for help.

Any thoughts?

todd to apollo sun | 2:46 p.m. July 7, 2009

CLueless: people just do not read what the constructive jazz fans think. If you start the same 5 as last year be prepared to "run and gun" like Magnus suggested like D "Antoni and win 120-119. No Defense in the front court. Yes they are capable of being adequate.

Then that is up to Sloan his coaches and "you the sloanaholics"

Anonymous | 6:06 p.m. July 7, 2009

This would be a great trade. We should trade AK and Harpring for Mcgrady, then turn around and trade Boozer for Hamilton. We get the salary cap relief we need and flexablity to sign Okur and or Korver to longer contracts. We will still have plenty of cap space to be a player next summer and we have NY draft pick. We would still have a good chance to compete for a playoff spot next year, our bench would be shorter and FEZ and Kofus can get some playing time. Come on KOC make it happen.

trade idea... | 9:02 p.m. July 7, 2009

I read in the most recent Sporting News that Dalembert (a rebounding, shot-blocking, Center) will be a liability in the 76ers new up tempo offense, so...

Why not AK to Philly for the aforementioned?

It makes to much sense K'OC would NEVER do that.

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