Caleb Hicks on July 01, 2009 said:

While you make some good arguments (Jazz being a more competitive team with Boozer on the court, emboldened Millsap bidders, etc), I sincerely hope you’re wrong on the Jazz not signing Millsap.

I envision a scenario in which the Jazz make Millsap comfortable in staying, with the surety that Booze is on his way out of town sometime this season by way of trade, or next summer in free agency. I hope the Jazz trade Boozer, as it will give Millsap more experience in the starting lineup.

If we keep Booze all season and lose Millsap because of it, sure, we may be “better” this season, but we’re left without a decent player when Boozer skips town in 12 months. Millsap will only get better, Boozer is a cancer both on defense, in the locker room, and to fans.

Also, Millsap’s whole family lives here, goes to every game. His little brother plays at a school in Salt Lake. Hopefully that adds incentive in the Jazz’s favor during contract negotiations.

Caleb

Jared on July 01, 2009 said:

The best part of Boozer opting in is that we can now trade him for someone we really want. Do we expect different results next year with the Jazz think that bringing everybody back like they did last year? Even if the let a few bench players walk, but our core starters are the same, I think that we will struggle to be 6-7 seed in the playoffs. If Phoenix wasn’t fire selling all of their players and New Orleans wasn’t on serious meltdown mode, I would put us even lower. The problem is that you don’t get different results with the same squad. We need to trade Boozer and whoever else we need to (Miles, Brewer, Korver, AK, Harpring, but absolutely not D-Will) to get a real superstar big. (I think that Bosh or Amare fit the bill) Then do what we can to find role players. If we come back with basically the same team we will still get killed by the Lakers. With the Spurs upgrade there is no way we beat them next year unless we do something drastic, and lets face it, the loosing streak in SA is embarrassing. What is our answer for the Nuggets next season? As much as I think that the Thuggets were overrated this year, we didn’t seem to compete well against them. We have been up and down with the Blazers and Mavericks the last couple of years, but the Blazers have young talent and are getting better. Do we really think that the same squad will yield better results? Remember the end of this last season when everyone was healthy and we totally tanked.

Short recap – We loose first round next year with the team in tact. Trade Boozer and whoever else we necessary to sweeten the deal and get a super-star big.

J R Stewart on July 01, 2009 said:

It’s not my money.

Wait a minute, it’s my season ticket money and perhaps the loss of the Jazz to another market, if they lose too much money this year. So, in a way…

I hope Millsap’s bidders don’t force the Jazz into NOT resigning him. It’s likely that the “under the cap three”, will try to maximize their cap space dollars and a reasonable contract will be presented to the Jazz.

Millsap also has a few similar competitors, who could suck the money up before Paul gets there.

Ideally the Jazz resign Millsap, trade Boozer for a good fit and luxury tax relief.

Jazzaholic

Spence on July 01, 2009 said:

I am fine with the 3 deciding to stay.. and it is likely we will loose out on a good prospect and player in millsap but more work needs to be done… O konnor needs to quit being so predictable and make a move to get us a scoring small forward.. cj miles will not cut it… how do you do this? trade Andrei kirilenko he is getting payed 16 million when in reality he is a 5 million dollar player maybe… get someone who can score the ball.. how bout t mac or turk i think turk would fit in good with the jazz. dont stop now o konnor do something that will bring energy and excitemnt to the jazz and get rid of ak

Jenn Sokia on July 01, 2009 said:

I just hope so badly that Boozer gets traded. Sure he is a good player when he is healthy, but I think he is a cancer for this team. TRADE HIM, PLEASE! He surely put his foot in his mouth didn’t he.

JayD on July 01, 2009 said:

I disagree with you Jared . These players that you said tanked it at the end of last season , I beleive were in some serious confidence issues . After seeing that road trip in Atlanta , Miami , and Orlando , you can see that they lost thier confidence and that was the biggest part of the melt down that they had at the end of the season .
I also beleive that there is still alot of untapped talent in this sqaud that we havent seen yet . So to say they will net the same result to me is unfair to say . I beleive that they can learn to play better then they did last year . I think that we were missing a big man last year , which I think that we will see in Fes and Kosta this next season .
Thats my thoughts ,
Jay

tman11 on July 01, 2009 said:

I don’t know what to think about Booze signing back on. ON the one hand if he stays heathly we are a top four team in the west playing for a championship. On the other hand Boozer hasn’t stayed heasthly yet and, this deal just mad us loose Paul. OKC is going to offer that kid about 10 to 11 million dollars, the jazz can’t match it. So may i be the first to say goodbye to Paul you will be missed
The whole deal about trading Boozer for an amare or a Bosh is your getting rid of two markee players for one. Not to mention Chris bosh has one more year on his contract and, we will be in this same situation next season all over again. If you bring in Amare I don’t think he will reaspond well in a jazz system this guy is use to pushing the ball not playing any defence what so ever. So how is he going to act when we slow it down and, get into are offecnce and, can he paly a good hard 24 seconds of deffence i don’t think so.
Also you are giving up Boozer and, anther starter for one yeah I’m sorry that just doesn’t add up to me at all. Boozer yeah I am dissappionted he signed on for anther yeah but, look at it like this he is gone after next year. I have a feeling he won’t be hurt as much or milk his injuries at all. Because if he comes out and plays very well for us and plays all 82 plus games. He gets his big meaty contract for Miami or New Jersey next season. That will make him step up his game. That’s why he didn’t leave this year he went shoppin and found out he was going to be makin 8 or 9 million. So he took more cash and, came back.
As far as the luxury tax deal i believe we have enough guys to get rid of that will reall help out that ordeal. Collins gone, brevin thanks you he is gone also. I wish kover didn’t sgn back on so he could be gone to but he did. So i think you will either see a trade or Almond will be gone as well as Ronny price. That help out your luxurys taxe alot if you look at it and, these were guys riding the bench anyways so. weed them out and Hopefully Kost and fez can come thru this year and back up Booze and Okur wich i think they will be great there.
I’m excited for this next year go JAZZ

SFC Rigby on July 01, 2009 said:

BOOOOOO ZER! How fitting that after 12 months of SLC having to listen to Opting Out and how much of a raise he deserves, that when all is said and done he OPTS IN. Sure when C Boozer is healthy and not being interviewed he is an asset to the Jazz, and even when he spits in the Jazz Fans faces, most will welcome him back with open arms, but when is enough enough? Reward P Milsap who was making $800,000 last year and playing night in and night out and reward the Fans and the Jazz as a team with a trade! Boozer is not worth the 12.7 million that he will be making next year, there are several free agents that could be a great fit for the Jazz and would keep us from paying the Luxury Tax that Larry H Miller has stayed away from since bringing the Team to Utah. Just My Opinion……

Travis on July 02, 2009 said:

Say goodbye to Boozer, if you look at last year, we played better with Milsap in the starting lineup. When rumors of Boozers return started, Milsap started his downslide, not that it was a bad one, but I think his confidence started going down hill. Then when Boozer returned, yea, he scored avg.. but his defense sucks. With Milsap on the floor our defense was better and that is where the game is won. We have scorers, we need defense.

Samuel Pike on July 02, 2009 said:

I definitely agree that Kosta Koufos will be much needed off the bench this year. He is a much better player for a big man than was Greg Ostertag,Tag had the ability he just didnt respond consistently enough. Koufos brings a big man that can actually block shots,much like Mark Eaton was able to do. Sure Koufos may not ever lead the league in blocked shots but at least he showed some promise so I believe he will make a positive impact this next season. As far as Andrei,i think the comment about letting him go is dumb. Sure he may be paid a bit more than hes worth,but consider this. While he may not be a scoring threat he is a decent help defender,can block shots,get steals,and at least played guys like Kobe admirably the past few years when hes been on him. So sorry,you do have to keep him here. I think everyone opting in this year will bring about some good next year. Boozer i believe will be gone by then,which would free up some money for the Jazz to consider getting someone like a Chris Bosh,excellent rebounder,good defender,and a little bit better at that than Amare,Amare is a scorer and good rebounder for sure,but,Bosh in my opinion is a bit better defender and player overall. Interested to see what happens with Paul Millsap,hes brought alot of good to the franchise,however,if OKC has a better offer and he decides to take it he should,he works his but off and deserves whatever salary increase he gets. Lets just wait and see what the offseason brings,should be interesting.

Jazzfanforever on July 02, 2009 said:

we should go after Trevor Ariza, i want to see somebody new in a Jazz jersey. Ariza would be great for us i think. I really want the Jazz to get another good player and who wants to win. Ariza plays very good defense.

Starkey on July 02, 2009 said:

If the Jazz bring back the exact same team as last year we still won’t be a championship team. We need some major changes in Utah and this summer is the time to do it.

tman11 on July 02, 2009 said:

Trevor is to much money i say you let Milsap go and, get a Chris Anderson or Lenis Kleza. You can pay them half of what Milsap will make next year and, i think they will be jsut as good if not better then Paul. I am not a fan though of to many new players I mean if it’s not broken why fix it and, the jazz aren’t broken by any means. We just had an ijury prone season last year. I think we made the right moved by signin every one back on cause that i sa great team that we put on the court every night.

J R Stewart on July 02, 2009 said:

It looks like OKC isn’t jumping in quickly with an outlandish offer for Millsap, which would tie up a lot of their cap space needed for extensions next year.

The Griz and Pistons are out of the Millsap market.

It certainly looks like $8 million is the max anyone is going to pay, probably less.

If Boozer stays healthy, the Jazz could gel into a very competitive team. If they have a top 4 record at the trade deadline, I would guess they will “bite the bullet”, pay the luxury tax and hope for good matchups, a little luck and a run at a trophy. They then would become a major player in the 2010 free agent market.

If they have a mediocre record, look for fire sales.

Booz should have quite a chip on his shoulder, after the Olympic benching and the salary snub. He has a big ego, and this reality check, might motivate him to a career best season. So, lets not beat him up too much, until he’s had a chance to redeem himself.

Jazzaholic

donnie brown on July 02, 2009 said:

i think the jazz should ride boozer for one more season and cut harpring and use the money to resign millsap.everyone keeps forgetting its a business and matt not good for business!

tman11 on July 02, 2009 said:

They will have a solid season i believe, if they all can stay heathly. The big player in 2010 for free agents yeah sorry not going to happen. Most player hate utah It’s not a big market out side of utah. Also every one has this image of utah how it’s an uptight crazy world and no wants to stay here that long. It sounds stupid when you say it but, it’s true. As far as gett LJ Wade or, Bosh not going to happen. They want to go to bigger markets where they can make more money. Most of a players money doesn’t come from. What there team signs them to it come from advertising and, you can’t get much of that in utah as say a place like New York. That’s why You hear alot about Newyork in 2010 as far as LJ and, wade goes. Utah won’t be any kind of player in the 2010 free agent market

J R Stewart on July 05, 2009 said:

I really doubt there will be much movement of the true superstars in 2010, most will resign with their own team, but the 2nd tier, Bosh Boozer etc will be out there for the highest bidder. It’s rare that a player says “Portland, you go play in Portland, I’m going to Toronto!”

It’s the money!

J R Stewart

tman11 on July 05, 2009 said:

I think we will be surprised by that. I can see LJ moving and, Chris I don’t see Wade moving but, I can see two of the big three moving. I can also see the jazz being a complately diffrent team next season as well

J R Stewart on July 05, 2009 said:

I think Wade, James, Howard and Bryant are the the franchise players. Bosh, Boozer, even CP3 and DWil are probably second tier players. Point guards need a big man, that’s why I’d rank them there. If Yao ever gets healthy, you’d put him up there too. LBJ is the only one of the five, who might move, but Cleveland has put so much money and support behind him, his image would suffer, which is very important to him. New York might never put together the support structure he has in Cleveland.

So, I can see second tier players moving in mass to the highest bidder. Franchise can get more money and years staying.

The Jazz may be a completely different team THIS season, certainly next season.

I just think you have to wait 15 or 20 games into the season, to gauge the quality of their play and who is expendable. There’s no rush and Jazz have lots of expiring contracts, getting more valuable each day.

Jazzaholic

tman11 on July 05, 2009 said:

The NBA isn’t palyed like it use to be. It’s more of a piont gaurds game and shooting guards game then any thing right now. It use to be let’s get it inside and, post players up. NOw it’s if we don’t score in 10 seconds you better be throwing up a 3. I would have to say players like Wade and CP3 are more important to a team then a player like Kobe and, LJ. ‘I didn’t say better i said more important now”. I mena think aobout it if we lost Dwill the jazz aren’t a playoff team any more but, if the lakers lost Kobe they still got player there to get them to the finals. Anther thing that proves my piont is Chicago and, orlando.
The Bulls lost Kirk last year to injury and, went from competing for the east championship to a top pick in the draft. They draft Derik Rose who I think is the next best player in the NBA and, Kirk comes back as well, What happens they give boston the fight of there lives in the first round that is very dificult even with out KG. Orlando Neilson goes down and, with in a wekk or so they have anther piont guard. You need a decnt piont gaurd to be succesfull in the league any more.
To say Dwill And CP3 are secondtier players is crazy because with out them there team isn’t any thing your way off in left field on this one buddy. I’m surprsed Howards on the list he proved more then anyone he was’t even the leader on his own team. When they were down against Boston is was Lewis picking them up and, dragging there sorry butts for a win. I know one thing for sure Dwill isn’t going any where you won’t see the jazz wheel and deal for any one in the league if they want Dwill that wouldn’t happen. Boozer maybe he has burnt to many bridges in utah and, got under every ones skin. If he didn’t though i could see him not moving eiher. CP3 is the same way though i think if they had an oppertunity to get Labron for CP3 they wouldn’t do it. They know how vauluable he is to the team to call CP3 and, Dwill secondtier players is crazy

Shannon in Sacramento on July 06, 2009 said:

I think Boozer opted in because other teams didn’t want to pay more money than 12 million for a player that is injured every single season. I’m thinking Boozer will play his heart out, not because he likes Utah, but because he wants to make more money. So maybe the 2010 season we can bring in a pretty good player. We will see.

J R Stewart on July 06, 2009 said:

It is the money.

Booz got his raise, just not the raise he thought he’d get.

It should be sobering for all the free agents.

Jazzaholic

tman11 on July 06, 2009 said:

that’s what i have been saying I think Boozer will have a great season just so he can make that big paycheck. Next season he need to show other teams he can stay healthy and, play a whole season