Morning Jazz 04-18-14

After the final buzzer went off, after all the lockers were cleared out, after all the summer plans were made, the Utah Jazz are now officially in the off season. I love watching Jazz basketball and hate when it is over for the year, but before we know it, we will be back into another season!

Just as a heads up to all of our readers, the Jazz season may be over for the time being, but The J Notes will be bringing you new Jazz content all off season long! We will have this “Morning Jazz” segment running daily, new articles on the NBA Draft, Free Agency, and much more. Be sure to check with us daily throughout the off season to stay current on everything Jazz!

The final buzzer of the Jazz’s 2013-14′ season wrapped up the other night with a thrilling 136-130 double overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. As exciting as the game was, most fans were upset that the Jazz didn’t lose because it effected their 2014 NBA Draft lottery odds. With the win, the Jazz tied for the fourth worst record in the league with the Boston Celtics, giving them the same number of ping pong balls heading into the lottery. Here is a breakdown of all 14 of the lottery teams odds heading into May 20th. (via Purpleandblues.com)

Prior to locker room clean out, I started looking towards free agency a bit, wondering what might happen to Jazz players entering the off season unsure about their futures. Four Jazz players for sure have real uncertain futures in Gordon Hayward, who is a restricted free agent, and Richard Jefferson, Marvin Williams, and Brandon Rush who are all unrestricted free agents. What will happen to them this off season? Should they stay with the Jazz or go elsewhere? We give our thoughts on the matter. (via Purpleandblues.com)

Yesterday, we finally got news out of Duke that we have all really been waiting to hear. Jabari Parker will forego his sophomore season at Duke and enter the upcoming NBA Draft! It was news that not only excited fans, but more than likely excited GM’s of mainly the top five lottery teams as well. Now that we are headed towards the off season, more and more mock drafts will start coming out across the web. A “Post Jabari Declaration” Mock Draft can be found on our site. (via Purpleandblues.com)

As we enter the off season, and as the Jazz look back on things that worked and things that didn’t work, there will be a lot of questions surrounding this team on how to improve and get better from here. After the Jazz decide what to do with their own free agents listed above, they need to look at their biggest needs to address this off season. If the Jazz are wanting to be competitive and a better team next season, there will be issues that need solving, whether through the draft or free agency. (via BleacherReport.com)

At locker room clean out, every Jazz player got a chance to talk to the media about how they think the season went as a team, and also individually. Questions surrounded Hayward regarding his current restricted free agency situation, which he gave the political answer of “I’ll let me agent take care of that.” The same question was asked to Alec, who has an opportunity to sign a contract extension before the October 31st deadline next season or he will become a restricted free agent like Hayward is this season. There was also questions about what might happen to Tyrone Corbin regarding his current expiring contract. Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey talked about all these issues and more when he sat down and talked with Jazz radio voice David Locke. You can listen to his whole interview, as well as the interviews of all other players and coaches on 1280 The Zone, but as far as Corbin goes, Lindsey mentioned they would wait until the weekend to decide anything so they didn’t make any emotional decisions. (via 1280TheZone.com)

Last but not least, our new writer here at The J Notes, Blake Draper, debuted here with a strong article. He dished out Thank You cards to the Utah Jazz for various things that he enjoyed this season. From the Jazz fans all the way down to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, nobody is left off the list of thank you’s. (via Purpleandblues.com)

It has been quite the season and I can say again that I am sad to see it gone already. However, at the same time, I am glad to see it come to an end. This off season has been fun, and once again, remember to stick with The J Notes all off season long for your Utah Jazz fix! Go Jazz!!!