Jan 22, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with center Enes Kanter (0) during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Given the recent Kanter-gate scandal, as well as the fact that the NBA Trade Deadline is less than a week away, many Utah Jazz fans find themselves clamoring for GM Dennis Lindsey to pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal.
Lindsey, assistant GM Justin Zanik and the rest of Jazz brass are undoubtedly working hard and exploring every option as the deadline approaches. Such is life for those tasked with compiling an NBA roster and the Jazz are a team with the cap space and assets to complete deals. Alas, fans expecting fireworks between now and next Thursday are probably going to end up disappointed.
Contrary to popular belief, trades are hard to come by in the Association. Even under a collective bargaining agreement that labor negotiators claimed would foster player movement, many of the traditional barriers to trade consummation remain firmly in place.
This is news to no one, but Enes Kanter will be a restricted free agent this offseason. If I’m a GM in a position to acquire Kanter, I would have to think twice about sending real assets to Utah in exchange for a player that could simply walk this offseason. This is without even considering his defensive limitations or the immaturity he’s shown with recent comments.
Which brings us to what is perhaps the biggest obstacle as relates to exchanging players—the fact that it takes two to tango. Jazz fans may get all hot and bothered thinking about the potential of Kanter or of Trey Burke, another name often bandied about in trade talk, but the reality is that both have huge question marks surrounding their game and the market for their services probably doesn’t generate the heat that some think it does.
So while fans might grow impatient when, for example, the team fails to move Paul Millsap and/or Al Jefferson before the trade deadline or finds themselves unable to pry the No. 1 pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers, they should be taking solace in the fact that Lindsey isn’t willing to take back pennies on the dollar or trade the cow for magic beans.
Don’t get me wrong, it can be deflating when a team allows the trade deadline to come and go without making a move to better themselves. This is something the Jazz are infamous for doing. What we have to remember is that developing the players currently on the roster has been Lindsey’s top priority and that he’s not going to agree to any trade that puts that at risk or encumbers the franchise long-term.
Yanks Go Yard
Now, with all of that being said, the team could absolutely make a move. The Kanter situation cannot be ignored and if there’s something out there that makes sense, Lindsey and co. will pounce. The team could have retained Chris Johnson, who impressed in his short stint with the club, but instead opted for an extra roster spot. An extra roster spot that could come into play this coming Thursday in potential dealings. We as fans don’t always hear about it, but the wheels are always turning.
At this point, it’s all speculation. The Jazz will make a move or they won’t. Whichever the case, those of you waiting for the team to flip Kanter or Burke into a superstar to save the franchise will probably still be waiting on Friday.