The J-Notes
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Three things the Utah Jazz can learn from the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Finals appearance

By Jared Woodcox

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs hugs Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors following an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs hugs Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors following an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Don’t be afraid to make the tough choices

Make no mistake about it, Toronto Raptors fans loved and still continue to love DeMar DeRozan. The loyalty he showed to the team and the great heights he took them to were almost unmatched by former members of the franchise. In every way imaginable, he was an incredible part of the Raptors franchise.

As such, Toronto management could have stuck with narrow thinking that they had no alternative but to retain their beloved hero. Instead, they made the tougher choice and struck when opportunity presented itself. With superstar Kawhi Leonard wanting out of San Antonio, the Raptors took a risk and made a deal to get him in place of DeRozan.

This was a hard blow at the time for Raptors fans, management and DeMar’s former teammates alike. However, now that they’ve reached the new heights that they have, I don’t think you’ll find any complaints among even the most die hard of DeRozan defenders. The Raptors had reached their ceiling with DeRozan. And if they wanted to go further, they had to be willing to take a risk and make a sacrifice.

Said sacrifice has paid off immensely, and Raptors team president Masai Ujiri has undoubtedly been vindicated by his formerly controversial decision.

So how can the Jazz apply this now? Well, perhaps they don’t need to or perhaps they can’t! The Raptors wouldn’t have been able to swing for the fences as they did if there wasn’t a fence in Kawhi Leonard’s surprising availability to swing for. In many ways, their risk came with a lot of luck.

Likewise, I’m not suggesting the Jazz hastily trade away promising players for a short-term rental that may not even change their fate when all is said and done. However, what I am saying, is that down the road Jazz brass should be open to dealing anyone on the team regardless of their popularity or position on the team.

You might be thinking, “Wait, does that include Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert?” Well, believe it or not but it actually does. Now, I’m not saying it’s likely. And at the moment, especially considering Donovan Mitchell is still on his extremely friendly rookie contract, it probably doesn’t make any sense at all. However, if an opportunity presents itself of the magnitude of landing a transcendent star like Kawhi, the Jazz should follow the Raptors’ example and do whatever it takes.

Some may say that it’s a bad look for a small market franchise to trade away players loyal to it and that it could hurt their odds with future free agents. But the Jazz struggle with free agents as it is, and as has become the case and culture in Toronto, prospective targets are likely to prefer a destination that prefers winning over all else. Sometimes the tough decision, such as parting with a fan favorite to bring in a superstar, can be the best one.

No team gets to the top without taking risks. And the Jazz will have to veer from their reputed conservative path at some point and take a few chances of their own if they hope to reach the next level.

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