Danny Ainge is promising to go "big game hunting" this offseason. Ainge, the CEO of the Utah Jazz is obviously looking to land some major names this offseason. As Salt Lake City doesn't have the same appeal as Los Angeles and Miami to some, the best way to get guys in the door is via a trade. Luckily for the Jazz, they have the draft capital, young prospects, money, and team infrastructure to warrant such an act.
With Lauri Markkanen firmly in place, for now, the Jazz could add guys to compliment him, thus taking the Jazz to another level. Landing two star-caliber players would set the Jazz up for the future, as long as they don't burn through their capital in acquiring these purported stars. Landing these names won't be easy but it's entirely possible, and it seems Ainge knows his job is teetering some. After all, why make such a bold claim?
But we've seen what Ainge can do with draft picks and determination, and he can put together some competitive rosters. Not everyone believes that Ainge can pull this off, however.
The Ringer's, Howard Beck, an NBA senior writer for the outlet, went on Spence Checketts' show on ESPN 700 recently and revealed that anyone the Jazz may want, other teams may want as well, saying (via Sports Illustrated)
""There's going to be a stampede, and that could be led by the [Brooklyn] Nets, who have a stockpile of picks, mostly from the [Phoenix] Suns. The [New York] Knicks who have all of their own picks and I think still an extra one or two laying around. The [Oklahoma City] Thunder have the biggest stockpile picks in the history of sports, and even if they’re the top seed in the West, they could combine picks and players to go get somebody. There’s going to be a lot of competition for whoever becomes available.”"
While Beck's comments aren't untrue, what he fails to address is the simple nature that not everyone values the same players at the same cost. The Thunder may have the largest stockpile of picks ever, but other teams know that. If someone like Devin Booker becomes available, the Phoenix Suns may demand six first-round picks from the Thunder to get Booker. Would they pay that?
Sam Presti, the Thunder's GM, may value those picks more than he values the "stars" of the league, so who's to say that he'd even be willing to part ways with those picks? Not only that, but who's to say that all the teams who can make moves all target the same players? There are 30 teams in the NBA and it's very possible that not every team is going after the same guy.
We believe Ainge is going to pull this off, because well, if he can't, it's his job. And he seems to know that.