Utah Jazz Draft and Opt-ins

The Jazz Drafted Erick Maynor a 6'3" point guard from VCU. Physically Maynor reminds me of Sam Cassell when entered the League. He is known for his point guard skills: passing, control of tempo and running the pick and roll. His question marks are if he is quick enough defensively. Also he could stand to get stronger at about 165. I have watched Maynor play a few times in college. He has an effective flip shot in the lane and he uses hesitantion moves to get into the paint and to the free throw line. For the twentith pick Maynor was a good value. He could see time as a rookie as the backup point guard though Sloan has expressed interest in resigning Ronnie Price.

The 2nd round pick Goran Suton- is a tough skilled big man. But at 6'10" he lacks the size for center and he lacks the speed for power forward.


Korver, Boozer and Okur opted into the last year of each of the respective contracts.

This means before making an offer to Millsap the Jazz are already slightly over the luxury tax limit.

As it stands now the likely rotation would be.

Deron 38/Price or Maynor 10
Brewer 28/Korver 20
AK 17/Brewer 6/Harpring 10/ Miles 15
Boozer 35/AK 13/ Koufos emergency
Memo 32/Koufos 16/Fess emergency

So the Jazz don't really need Millsap next year.

But Korver, Harpring, Boozer and Memo will all be free agents next year and Brewer will be a restricted free agent.

So if the Jazz can retain Millsap for about 6 mil a year he would give the Jazz more flexibility.

In any case I highly recommend the Jazz dump Harpring for a conditional 2nd round pick and a minimum player. His 6.5 mil salary being gone would allow the Jazz to avoid the luxury tax.

Also the Jazz will be fielding a team in the Orlando Summer League starting on Monday on the 7/06/09. Maynor, Suton and Koufos headline the team. Derrick Brown a draft pick for Charlotte will be playing the team as well. The games can viewed off of nba.com.