The Jazz Could Experiment for a Season
Once again, Bojan Bogdanovic finds himself relocating, this time back to the Indiana Pacers. I’m sorry, Bogey, but your contract makes it so easy to trade you for young talent.
The Indiana Pacers have moved on from Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogden, so they clearly are on the rebuild. They have the means to take on two fairly large contracts, including Mike Conley. Conley leaving means Utah can play better players like Clarkson, Beverly, or perhaps a different player (Tre Jones?) at point guard alongside Mitchell, and they would have some room to sign a starting quality player next season.
.@wojespn with an update on the Pacers' plans:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 2, 2022
"They're clearly moving into a full rebuild now. They're also engaged on Myles Turner elsewhere, too." pic.twitter.com/xEVvwNBSgg
In return for taking on those contracts and giving up Myles Turner, the Pacers would require at least two draft picks. Turner only has a year left on his contract anyway, so if it doesn’t work out Utah can cut ties and spend cash on a different guy.
I think Myles Turner would workout, though. He is an absurdly good shot blocker and at age 25 has led the league twice. He can step out and knock down the occasional three, and while he isn’t an elite rebounder like Rudy Gobert, he can spread the floor and play more of a combination center/forward position.
Even though he is a good center now, I think in Utah, with Mitchell and company, he could turn into a really good center, if not a great one. He has all the physical tools, but never really got a chance to play alongside a generational shooting guard in Indiana. Donovan Mitchell could be just what he needs.
At the end of the day, the Utah Jazz are fully loaded up to either build to the future or make a real run at the Western Conference. They cannot do both, so the organization is at a fork in the road. Either way, they will find some success. Do you want it now, or later, when the NBA is not so top-heavy?