Deseret News | Jazz brass debate Millsap match

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Jazz brass debate Millsap match

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Hey Feathers | 10:49 a.m. July 11, 2009

:-P

It's a Saturday, the kids are still sleeping, I'm on a mobile (not behind a computer), and it's my birthday, so if I feel like wasting some time on something I enjoy then I darn will.

Oop, gotta go fishing now. Enjoy your holier-than-thou complex.

jeffn | 11:10 a.m. July 11, 2009

How are you going to trade AK? No one in the league is going to pay his 32 mil left on his contract. I like AK and there are a lot of teams that would love to have him too, but he isn't worth what he is getting paid.

Great defender? | 11:12 a.m. July 11, 2009

I think you are all confusing hustle with defense. Millsap hustles, but he is not a great defender. The front line of the Lakers man handled us, we couldn't match the Nuggets either, and the Spurs just got bigger up front. If we can't compete with those teams with what we have why keep our current roster? I think Koufus given the opportunity may give us similar numbers, he is longer and has more offense. Also Boozer in the final year of a contract? Why not keep him. This will probably be his best year ever, playing for that new contract. Also AK is much more productive at the 4. Also to everyone bashing Miles, his contract is very reasonable. Still lots of upside, and given the chance to slash more, play athletic, he would be very valuable at his current contract. The Sloan system parks him in a corner. Sloans fault not Miles. This team overall would greatly benefit by taking it more up-tempo. It really is time for Sloan to move on. So, you were a great hustler but you will NEVER bring a championship to SLC. Enjoy PDX Millsap.

Comments continue below

I am... | 11:27 a.m. July 11, 2009

Laughing hysterically at those comments to sign Josh Duncan... That may be close to the funniest thing I've ever heard! That is rich!

K | 11:36 a.m. July 11, 2009

And let's put the blame where it all belongs....on Hedo. If he hadn't bolted for Toronto, the only offer Millsap would have gotten was the mid-level from the Jazz, and he'd have been happy as hell....
Bad timing, unlucky decision, and now you have to decide to pay 9 mil for a great hustle player....$9 mil??! Crazy.....Stock didn't make that until his last contract......

louisiana jazz man | 11:41 a.m. July 11, 2009

no one griped last year when millie was getting paid 700.000. jazz could have signed himm for 2 mill for 5 years but they dident. this year they offered 1 mil. if they would have offered him 7 mil probly would have signed. they told him to go check out the market. he did last week looked like he was going to play for 1 mil. you"all were so proud of the money you would be saving. now your ready to throw him under the bus just like boozer.

Andrew | 11:41 a.m. July 11, 2009

Good for Milsap, but whatever he does, he's got to get rid of this Ara Vartanian whoever he is. He reeks of the sort of jock sniffing parasites that plague young professional athletes. For goodness sakes, the Jazz are over the salary cap and were simply waiting to let the market determine Milsap's value! I don't see where they have demonstrated any disrespect to Paul Milsap. Ara Vartanian=Parasite.

Miles | 11:47 a.m. July 11, 2009

@Jordanres: If Roy plays 40 minutes a night and he won't be playing with Millsap, then I guess your analogy calls for Millsap to play 8 minutes a game!! Now that's some good rationale. Roy and Millsap will probably be on the court together 20 minutes a night.

Miles | 11:50 a.m. July 11, 2009

Finally someone who understands CJ. That's right Jerry puts him the corner and tells him to stand there.

Re: Louisiana Jazz Man | 11:56 a.m. July 11, 2009

I have read very few comments about "throwing Millsap under the bus". He has worked very hard to get where he is...so hard that Portland was willing to overpay for him as a backup PF. If I was him, I would do the same thing. I think all anyone is saying here is that with the luxury tax and the front loaded contract...$20+ mill (for this year) is over the top for an undersized PF with limited low post offensive characteristics, and a limited ability to defend some of the bigger and more athletic offensive big men in the league. Not to knock what he does, he gets the most out of what he has, but that's not $20++ mill. talent, if we were talking KobeLebron/Dwayne yes.

I am anxious to see if they will be talking about how we were 'played' by Pritchard 2 years from now.

S!X | 11:57 a.m. July 11, 2009

It seems to be that people are forgetting who coached one of the best power forwards of the game. Millsap is good in Utah, but is he really going to be better in Portland. I'm betting he won't be. Logic says NO. I like Millsap, but he needs to stop listening to his "special" uncle that moron is going to kill his career.

Dmoney | 11:58 a.m. July 11, 2009

Its time to let Paul go and be over paid for a back up roll. Thats all he will ever be is a back up!

Vartanian | 12:13 p.m. July 11, 2009

Go to Ara Vartanian and DeAngelo Simmons website and check out their "boutique" sports management business. I guess boutique = one NBA player and two NBDL players. 'Sap can go to Portland and take these two pretenders with him. I don't ever want to see Vartanian's face in SLC.

Unhappy Blazer fans | 12:13 p.m. July 11, 2009

Check out the Oregonian. Brandon Roy is upset because he has not gotten a contract extension, and the Blazers have signed Millsap for more money than he is worth. This may not work out well for Millsap if he ends up in Portland. The fans are huge supporters of Roy, as they should be, Millsap is not in the same class. Millsap will also be playing behind Aldridge. Millsap is a good hustle player, but not a player worth more than mid level money. Rembember Howard Eisley and Shandon Anderson. I think there is a possibility we may see something similar here. You cant blame Millsap though, he did everything the Jazz asked, and is entitled to get what he can. However it looks like he is content to be a backup player rather that a starter in order to get the extra money. Go figure.

Anonymous | 12:15 p.m. July 11, 2009

Everyone The Jazz are going to trade Boozer and keep Millsap. The whole goal was to get in return for Boozer but if we don't get something of value we can still make this work.

See since
Tim Thomas to Utah
Tyrus Thomas to OKC
Boozer to Chicago

OKC is under the cap so they could get Thomas for nothing and have to give up nothing. The Jazz get Tim Thomas and Chicago get Boozer.

The Jazz might not get something of value in return, but the Jazz are going to resign Millsap.

Doug | 12:22 p.m. July 11, 2009

Like Stockton once said when renewing his contract for $5M, "when is enough, enough?" I was hoping Milsap might be more like Stockton than the other "greedy" players throughout the NBA. Thanks to the Jazz giving Milsap the opportunity to hone his skills, he can now go out and get an average of $8M per year for being a back-up player with Portland. He is a nice player and a good fit for the Jazz but as his financial advisors said, "it was all about the money!"

no more odom talks plz! | 12:25 p.m. July 11, 2009

What makes you people think we can get Odom, he's a free agent, we need actual money to get him! duh! if we had money do you think we would be shuffling our feet over the whole milsap issue? We can't trade boozer for 12 million in cash to spend on a free agent, and LA isnt going to do a sign and trade for boozer, they saw how crappy he played last year in the playoffs when he turned the key into an open highway for guards. We aren't getting Odom, period. I think the bulls trade talks are the most legit/rational ideas we have right now.

Reality is Hard To Swallow | 12:50 p.m. July 11, 2009

Both for us fans and Jazz management. Millie was a great 2nd round pick, worked hard, did the right things but has more than likely maxed out on talent. He is quite frankly not a very good defender, and when he does try he is foul prone. Athletism is not his strong point, but hustle and desire are, therefore when the price for any product we want goes up above 30 or 40% of what we consider value we normally look for a subsitute, same thing in this case. Just shop elsewhere like Gooden, or Nocioni to name a couple. Odom will be signed by the Lakers so you can forget him. I'm not worried about this year, it will work out in the next few months you'll see. Go Jazz.

BRENT | 12:59 p.m. July 11, 2009

REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED WHEN UTAH GAVE TOO MUCH FOR OSTERTAG? iT SCREWED THEM FOR YEARS. PAUL IS AN AWESOME PLAYER AND I LOVE THE GUY BUT YOU CAN'T PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET. ESPECIALLY IF HE ISNT A PROVEN STARTER

J-Slade | 1:00 p.m. July 11, 2009

It seems the Trail Blazers didn't do much to help themselves, but did do a lot to hurt the Jazz. Millsap doesn't fill a need for them. They could have gone after Lamar Odom and helped themselves and hurt the Lakers. Now the Jazz are in a lose-lose whether or not they resign Millsap.

Young Love Bites The Dust | 1:09 p.m. July 11, 2009

Same thing as young love in high school, where you can't live without each other and then priorities of one party changes and you end up with a divorce, normally things work out for both after the split and it will in this case. I wish nothing but the best for Milsap, and the Jazz organization. It was good while it lasted. End of story.

Re: Doug | 1:17 p.m. July 11, 2009

I agree with your sentiment as it applies to A.K., but not to Millsap. (Why doesn't A.K. step up and say, "hey, to keep the team togehter, I'll give up some salary." ? Sap's been making far less than he's worth, and the Jazz could have easily locked him in for less than Portland offered had they shown some respect. I get the idea from what his Uncle said that KOC, et. al. did nothing to keep him.

Think of it: They payed AK more than 17 times what they payed Sap last yer. Talk about stoooopid.

Now they are faced with the choice of either letting him go or trading Boozer. They can't afford both.

TJB | 1:22 p.m. July 11, 2009

The danger for Portland is that they will have 9.0 Million per year heading to a backup PF and another 9.0 Million to Darius Miles, while their starters are paid much less.

THAT alone will cause a lot of dissension in Portland.

Brandon Roy, had reconstructive knee surgery in college and he's going to have to play 2009-2010 without a max contract because his front office chose to pay the reserve PF 9.0 million per year. Roy won't even make 40% of what Millsap will.

james | 1:26 p.m. July 11, 2009

Best thing for the Jazz to do..

Trade Boozer for Henrich and another player...James Johnson from Wake Forest..or Tyrus Thomas (who the Jazz can let walk after next yr)

Use whatever money to sign Glen Davis from Boston

james | 1:30 p.m. July 11, 2009

What about signing Paul and using both him and Booze with miles to set up a 3 way trade?

Maybe chicago and Golden State...they can get heinrich and a players like Heinrich and Biedrens..

Miles 4 mill a yr, with Booze's 12 mil and Milsap's 8 mill comes to 24 million and players like Heinrich and Biedrens are valued at 19 mill

it all sounds like monopoly money, doesnt it?

louisiana jazz man | 1:43 p.m. July 11, 2009

i havent read anything about 20 mil. i read 32 to 36 mil not confirmed. 15 mil signing bonus. dont belive that that would be 24 mil next year. dont belive that. i would say 8 mil plus 4 mil bonus that would be 8 mil four years 32mil 4 mil bonus .36 mil four years. i would say about what i expected him to get. i would have started out asking for 10 too. hoping to get 8. all the agent said was he dident know if jazz would match they hadent acted like they was. they could have signed him already for 7. they played the waiting game and lost.

Bye Millsap | 2:00 p.m. July 11, 2009

Portland overpaid for Millsap and they are trying to force the Jazz's hand to get Hinrich. Let Millsap go to the Blazers! He's not a good fit there at all and it appears it just came down to money for him...the same thing happened with Boozer when he left the Cavs.

Millsap's limitations will not | 2:00 p.m. July 11, 2009

change fast or easily.

Millsap fouls a lot. He is not particularly quick or fast. He tries to play defense but has trouble staying on the floor.

Millsap plays better as a starter but is not as effective the second time teams play him. He has limited offensive moves. He could not run Boozer's plays and required a modified offense. He can't run some of Sloan's system.

He can't guard tall athletic PFs any better than Boozer. He does try.

The Jazz can't build the future around him.

He is to expensive for what he does. He will improve but he can get more then.

Millsap needs to be replaced with a more talented PF who is the future of the Jazz.

They are stuck with Okur now. They absolutely have to have an upgrade at PF.

Thanks POR for doing the Jazz a favor. They are not smart enough to get the talent they need unless forced to do so.

Get the right players for Boozer and the Jazz will be fine.

Too bad the Jazz can't be proactive and create a better team without being force to move.

If Millsap costs the Jazz | 2:17 p.m. July 11, 2009

15 million this year to keep (including the lux tax), how much better would the Jazz be if they spent that money on trades for other players?

This is an obvious no brainer decision. It is easy. Let POR overpay. If the Jazz are going to pay the lux tax then get a better team with the money.

The current Jazz team with Millsap and Boozer can't do better than 4th in the West.

They will stay 4th or worse for years if they refuse to take advantage of the bad economy and the fire sales of other teams. The best players will be available in the fire sales. The Jazz already wasted Okur's ending contract.

What kool aid has Jazz management been drinking? Jr. High students are smarter than this.

Why are the Jazz so fearful of change? They seem paralyzed by the prospect of actually trying to get better.

Please Portland take some more of the Jazz mediocre players. The Jazz will be forced to at least think about getting a better player.

Who has the poker face? | 2:46 p.m. July 11, 2009

Looks like Portland is in the process of putting one over on the Jazz! We really don't need Millsap at the price Portland seemingly is willing to pay. Could this be a game of Poker? Calling a bluff! Or trying to break the Jazz bank? That's a pretty steep price for a guy ! Alot more than he's actually worth. So you have to look for Portland's ulterior motive here! Don't be fooled and fall for this charade! Hello Jazz management .....are you really going to go for this?

I have always liked Paul | 2:49 p.m. July 11, 2009

But I am very disappointed in the way this is being handled. For his management to say The Jazz didn't make an offer is stupid, because they know that the Jazz have to do something with Boozer. Now I say, "Let Them Both Go". They will both be overpaid. when is the League going to get their act together and quit overpaying these sports figures and keep feeding their egos. It's getting to be too much of a circus. The best players in the league should not make more that 5 Million a year. It's rediculous. So long Paul & Carlos. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. I am extremely disappointed in you Paul. Your uncle "Sold You Out".

Dallas | 3:04 p.m. July 11, 2009

This Simmons character needs to go take a flying leap. I think the Jazz showed far more loyalty towards Milsap by drafting him, which nobody was really set out to do in the first place, and giving him the minutes he received.

Simmons and Paul BOTH of them knew dang well what the Jazz financial situation was. The Jazz most likely value Paul far MORE than Simmons is willing to admit... but the financial situation really has strapped Utah to the point that they are doing about everything they can to make the numbers work. Again... the Jazz being LOYAL!

What Simmon's and Paul did was flat out disloyal and pointing out "financial security" as the reason why Paul wanted this is a flat out JOKE! People don't have jobs today and they are tossing that ... around?

What Paul and Simmon's did was nothing more than financial and team sabotage to the Jazz. They both knew of what they are doing with Boozer. They go and do this. Sorry... I don't bring back Milsap. He'll be traded in short time anyway, Portland doesn't even value him that much... not at that much money.

MisManagement Again | 3:07 p.m. July 11, 2009

The Jazz Management screwed up again by trying to low-ball the player and threating all the other teams with the "We will match any offer" talk. All that did was encourage Portland to come up with a "Toxic" offer for the Jazz to match if they wanted to keep Millsap. They did the exact same thing with Mo Williams and then the Bucks did the same thing Portland did, with a front end loaded contract that would have pushed the Jazz into the luxury tax. So the Jazz did not match it even after saying they would match any offer. The whole tough guy posturing is just a dumb appoach in my opinion. Better to offer a market value contract or at least keep your mouth shut so you do not encourage another team to offer more or sturcture something they might not otherwise do.

Groundhogday | 3:45 p.m. July 11, 2009

One year left for Boozer, two years left for AK. Just let these guys play out their contracts or trade them if a good opportunity arises... particularly opportunities that return a servicable PF (e.g. Thomas). With Millsap gone, AK can pick up more minutes at PF.

What is the point of freaking out over the potential loss of a backup PF (good role player, never going to be a star, might not even be a good starter)? YES, with finesse players like Koufos and Memo at center, the Jazz need a strong interior presence at PF. But are either Boozer or Millsap the answer for a championship caliber team? Probably not. Both have benefited tremendously from (1) Deron Williams; and (2) Sloan's system that highlights the PF position.

rorybreaker | 4:03 p.m. July 11, 2009

Think of the worst case scenario, Jazz don't match Millsaps offer, Can't find a trade for Boozer.
Jazz and Boozer make nice, Boozer in a contract year plays his butt off, Harpring's contract goes away, Jazz resign Price.
They are under the luxury tax, Koufas gets more minutes, AK plays more PF, Fes gets some minutes, CJ.
Maybe they come up with a guy like Drew Gooden cheap.
In 2010 Boozer goes, all sorts of contract options open up with Korver, Brewer, maybe Knicks pick turns out to be high.
Things aren't that bad after all.

louisiana jazz man | 4:12 p.m. July 11, 2009

millsap would be a good fit were ever he goes because he playes hard and dont need plays called for him to score he could fit on any team in the nba and get alot of playing time. as for having troubel gurding 7 footers. he is a forward not a center wich he has to play all the time why? because utah has no center okur plays like a 7 ft forward, millie is the one gets stuck playing derk odem gasol does preety good for 6'8 on 7ft. how good would boozer and millsap[ be if they had a real center? the one they have that caint play def plays like a forward just signed over 10 mil. millsap a steel at 8 or 9 .

Blazer fan/reality | 4:22 p.m. July 11, 2009

I think another reason that is not mentioned is Millsap wants to leave for PDX is because PDX has a better chance of winning a championship than the Jazz. LaMarcus Aldridge is legit, and is obviously an all-around beter player than Millsap, and Millsap does not mind coming off the bench for a team that has Brandon Roy, Joel Pryzbilla, Aldridge, Blake, Batum and the best bench along with Millsap that will include, Frye, Fernandez, Oden, Bayless, Outlaw, Webster.

He is the perfect roll player, and that is why this offer is so big becasue he is perfect for PDX. He is not meant to be a star and some All-Star the Jazz think he will be, but if he does, PDX will have him on their team.

PDX's GM owns the Jazz's GM.

Shaybo | 4:38 p.m. July 11, 2009

Lakers are only offering Odom 7 mil and he dominated Millsap in the playoffs let's go after him.

uncle kevin | 5:06 p.m. July 11, 2009

I cant believe you guys think that portland will be in trouble with the cap. They will resign oden aldridge and roy because Paul Allen is one of the richest guyx in the world. They were way over the cap about 8 years ago with dale davis, Wallace, stodamire, pippin, sabonis etc.... They have a chance to be very special, there paying darius miles 9 million a year and he's not even on the team. They payed stevie francis 13 million and Lafrentz 12 million and they never played a minute last year. Money is not the issue with portland. They will resign all of their guys. you can trust me on that.

Does it hurt a little bit to know that your third best player milsap will be our 7th or 8th best player.

Peeved Performer | 5:14 p.m. July 11, 2009

I have absolutely no respect when athletes who are already making more in one month then I will make in my lifetime think that they are privileged to demand incomes that could fund a small country. The baseball leagues lost my respect as they continued striking for endless periods year after year, football never had my respect with all the violence, murder, and adultery following the modern-day gladiators, and now Utah has to deal with another basket-case athlete who wants to throw a tizzy fit to get more than he'll ever need in many lifetimes. Fire them all and cap their income along with all the other government reforms on big business. Put them all on "Dancing With The Stars" and see how well they can compete with athletes that have to put just as much effort or more into becoming artists, teachers, technicians, choreographers, and competitors but who make a miniscule fraction of the compensation these jack-dandies demand. Have the government take over the sports programs and we'd be out of debt in no time. HA!

Anonymous | 5:18 p.m. July 11, 2009

10 million is not that toxic every. Anyone who said it was 15 million - doesn't know anything about the NBA. The max a team can pay a player coming out of his rookie contract is about 13.5 - That is what the Jazz paid Williams. 15 million - come on.

That means the last 3 years are for 22 million 7.5 million a year. That is beyond resonable for someone in his prime. The Jazz have all week to trade Boozer. Once they do that they will resign Millsap For 2.5 Million less than Boozer. Add the 5 million salary they pick from Thomas or who ever they get brings the Jazz up to 75 to 76 million depending. The Jazz will release Harpring at the Trade Deadline and that will save them 6 million in taxes. They will recover 1 or 2 million from other teams paying the taxes.

Millsap will be playing with the Jazz soon. Millsap deserves the 10 million signing bonus.

Not as bad as it seems | 6:15 p.m. July 11, 2009

Millsap's offer from Portland is for $32 million and is front-loaded precisely because they will need to pay him less later as Roy's and Aldridge's extensions take effect. They have the cap space now, so why not use it to grab an excellent back-up. Then they will be paying 6-7 million for the following 3 years. Seems reasonable (relatively speaking). Not a bad move by their GM. If they can get a good PG, they will be complete. And very scary.

Miles | 7:19 p.m. July 11, 2009

Why does everyone think that Portland signed Millsap to hurt Utah? Makes no sense. If my memory serves me correctly, the Lakers, Nuggets, Houston, Spurs, Hornets all finished ahead of Portland and Utah. So is Portlands goal to finish 7th next year? That's just crazy talk. Their goal is to better themselves to beat the Lakers. Not the Jazz. Sorry guys.

Pastor88 | 10:38 p.m. July 11, 2009

Procrastination usually ends up being a negative.
KOC has precrastinated and mst of the talented free agents have already sighed deals. If he doesn't make a move soon he will be hard pressed to get a college kid to sit on the bench and fill out the 13 reuired players.
Some say Milsap is not worth the contract. Harprings contract pays about the same, but Harpring like booze is always siting behind the bench in stret clothes. For a tough guy he very seldom plays hurt as tough guys do. Send Harpring to the Jets or Browns. That opens up 6+ mil for getting athletes that could play at least 60 games a year.
Harpring,Miles and boozer leave, now theres some change for coming year and may help this year.
Let Portland have Paul as he and oqner have same fist name.

Pauls contract plus signing bonus plus luxury tax equal approximately 15 million that Jazz would pay out , if all things stayed the same.

Anonymous | 7:58 a.m. July 12, 2009

Jazz certainly made a mistake in letting the market determine Millsap's value, because they opened themselves to exactly what Portland has done. If they had offered him a more reasonable 6-7 million, four-year deal, they wouldn't be in the situation they are in, and would have much better leverage in trading Boozer. Now with their public statements about Boozer, they almost have to trade him, and if they match Millsap, for practically nothing. Seems what they need to do, at this stage, is let Millsap go and work on getting some value for Boozer.

mr cold | 4:35 p.m. July 12, 2009

go jazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Paul was gonna test the mkt | 5:02 p.m. July 12, 2009

Paul was gonna test the market no matter what the Jazz offered. That's why they call it a qualifying offer.. Just to start the process. Like the ante in poker. Unless the Jazz had offered stupid/preemptive money, his "advisers" were going to see what was out there. Clearly, the offer from Portland is from left field and a bit of an anomaly, artificially inflating the market for Milsap.. So..good for him. If it's a mistake to match for him, the mistake pales when compared to giving a max money contract to AK and or Carlos. The opening offer to Milsap had nothing to do with what the Jazz or league felt about his actual market value..Any basketball person with more than 30 days tenure knows this.

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