JayEpp

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[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

@SleeperJazz I honestly can't understand how you would have this take. Everything they have done has been great.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

If I were to guess, it's another deal with the 2ne year having a team option, and the Jazz use the rest of their MLE. So around 3m per year? Maybe less.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

The Jazz struck a deal with Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports and Greer Love on Wednesday to bring back the 7-footer who spent part of last season in Utah.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

@AJ3Jazz Ya I think Okogie and Hayes are gonna be slotted for 16 minutes a night. I don't think they would have signed with us if they weren't going to get at least some run.

I also agree with Collier getting minutes even if it's just 16 a night.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

@YossiGozlan hey, any reason why the walker Kessler deal hasn't gone through yet? Any chance the jazz would look to expand it to acquire a player instead of the 15m tpe? If so, how much salary would be allowable for the Jazz in that instance?

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

@NBASarah @NBASarah Can you find out if Cody Williams is going to Vegas?

[David Locke @DLocke09]

Just one thought this morning

DARRYN PETERSON PLAYS FOR THE UTAH JAZZ

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

All of the Boozer concerns are kinda showing up this game imo.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

Peterson is making Coward look like a fool man. This guy is incredible

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

The Jazz didn't sign Hayes to be a third center. I think people need to realize that if they think the Jazz will try and upgrade the center spot before the end of the year.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

@McCadeP8 I kinda wanted them to use their MLE or try and expand the trade but with Keyontes extension coming up I'm assuming we will still be a tax team next year regardless. Probably more valuable to give our young guys minutes than add another contract we can try and trade later.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

I think there would have been a major pain point if the Jazz had to sit one of Walker Kessler, ace, or Peterson to close out games this year.

With Walker out, we now got out closing 5 pretty solidified imo.

Key
Peterson
Ace
Markkanen
JJJ

I honestly can't wait to see hardy work

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

@SpencerKeele I think the Jazz still really lack playmaking and ball handling, and it will be important to have 2 good ball handlers on the court at all times if they can manage it. With that in mind, I think Collier will get some backup pg run despite his poor outside shooting.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

Projected 9 Man Rotation Minutes Distribution

J Jackson Jr. - 34
L Markkanen - 34
K George - 32
A Bailey - 30
D Peterson - 30
J Nurkic - 24
C Williams - 24
I Collier - 16
J Hayes - 16

Reserves

S Mykhailiuk
B Sensabaugh
K Filipowski
J Konchar

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

@TalkingKnicks Ya I think so. The Jazz want to win now, and they tried playing him at the 5 a lot last season to see how he would hold up. It wasnt pretty... So I think he will get minutes when the roster eventually has injuries throughout the season.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

Projected Starting Lineup

Keyonte George
Darryn Peterson
Lauri Markkanen
Jaren Jackson Jr
Jusuf Nurkic

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

If JJJ can't close games as a 5 (even for just the final 5 minutes of halves) they have the assets to go find a replacement, and then figure out how to reduce salary allocated to other areas. Maybe even move JJJ or Markkanen eventually if the fit just doesn't end up working.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

When the Lakers offered far more, they had to pivot and look at sign and trade options to avoid losing him for nothing. I think this also means they will take this year to analyze the JJJ Markkanen duo, and determine what type (and cost) of center will be necessary long term.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

So starting Nurkic with Hayes off the bench makes sense. They push for the playoffs this year and analyze closing lineups with JJJ and Markkanen at the 4-5. If it has some juice they can allocate their salaries to guards and wings and go cheap on center going forward.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

The Jazz wanted to sign Kessler to a deal closer to 25m as a starting point so they could more comfortably sign keyonte to a big extension for next year. I think they really pushed the RFA tag with the hopes they could get a favorable contract like Josh Giddeys as an example.

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

Lastly, I could also see Svi taking the 9th spot from Cody Williams, but I'm thinking Cody's perimeter defense will be prioritized over Svis shooting. If Svi is in the rotation then it just means Ace will play more at the SF instead of SG

[JayEpp @Jay_Epp_NBA]

PG Minutes

Keyonte - 32
Collier - 16

SG Minutes

Peterson - 30
Ace - 18

SF Minutes

Markkanen - 12
Ace - 12
C Williams - 24

PF Minutes

JJJ - 26
Markkanen - 22

C Minutes

Nurkic - 24
Hayes - 16
JJJ - 8