The J-Notes
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Jazz must avoid disastrous mistake in chase for superstar

The Jazz have been floated as a potential destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they should steer clear.

By Matt John

Nov 7, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge arrives at the arena prior to a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge arrives at the arena prior to a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images / Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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The Utah Jazz have the assets to acquire a superstar if they chose to. The season is still young, so it's not too late for them to salvage their relationship, but it would depend on who they would acquire. One potential option is Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks have not started any better than the Jazz despite beating them not too long ago. At 2-8, their season is on a fast track to nowhere, and that's a problem because they don't have their first-round pick this season. Even though the Jazz are among the worst NBA teams, they make sense as an Antetokounmpo destination because they have the assets to allow the Bucks to start over.

The Ringer's Michael Pina believes the Jazz should actually consider acquiring Giannis when they get the chance.

"The Magic, Spurs, Hawks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Jazz will have interesting internal debates about how much they’re willing to offer for someone who could be a flight risk sooner rather than later and what acquiring him would do to their long-term trajectory if they bite the bullet and go all in."

There would be some obstacles the Jazz would have to get over to get their hands on Antetokounmpo, but he would be the best player they've had since Karl Malone and John Stockton.

And yet, something feels off about this hypothetical scenario.

Why the Jazz should steer clear of the deer('s best player)

Never mind the cheesy rhyming. As undeniably elite as Antetokounmpo is, the Bucks would demand perhaps the biggest haul ever for someone like him - Note that the Bucks will elect to alter their entire team makeup before they trade him - and while the Jazz have plenty to offer, it might be too many that they won't have enough left over to acquire someone else.

It bares repeating that Lauri Markkanen would be a perfect No. 2 next to Giannis. He absolutely would, but it requires more than him. After that, the netx best players would likely be Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. That will make up a good team, but not a great one. The Jazz will need more.

What will make it harder is that the Jazz will be pressed to get more help, and depending on what they trade for the Greek Freak, they may not have enough assets to get another star. Giannis will have a player option in 2027. He has shown his loyalty, but that can run out knowing that his prime will only last for so long.

The Jazz have plenty of time to figure out what the best move is. Giannis rushes the timeline, and Utah doesn't need that right now. They may not get a player as good as he is, but they have the time to figure out to get a player(s) good enough to form a title contender.

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