[jericho]

Is there any truth to the rumor of Donyell Marshall being swapped for Jerome Williams and Michael Bradley?

I think I can see why Toronto would do this, since Bradley's not getting off the bench, Williams is a piston but not indispensable, and Marshall would give them some different looks offensively and is a good rebounder.

But Utah? They would have to figure out Williams and Bradley backing up Malone, and Kirilenko developing well enough to replace Marshall's offense. Also, they'd better hope Borchardt is an agressive enough rebounder and can stay on the floor long enough to replace Marshall's rebounds.

 

[JoeF]

The biggest problem with this trade is that it doesn't address any needs of the Jazz. If this trade went through Kirilinko would be the only SF and Stevenson would be the only SG. Kirilinko is capable of starting and playing heavy minutes but not every minute. Stevenson is a huge question mark. He has lots of athletic ability and "potential" but it hasn't translated to results on the floor. To be fair in his first year he averaged 7 minutes and in his second year he averaged 17 minutes so he hasn't had a chance to prove much. I think the Jazz must get a SG/SF in nay deal. At bare minimum they need a player who can play 25 minutes backing up both positions. A quality starting SG would be better. In any case the player neds to be able to consistantly hit the three.

 

[BBallFan]

Jerome Williams can, and has played significant minutes at the SF.

 

[Shadows]

Maybe Karl Malone is being shopped.

Let's face it, Why would Utah be interested in 2 PF unless Malone was leaving. If the Jazz can get JYD and ship Malone to another team for a SF or SG this team looks prety good on rebuilding for the next couple of years.

With that said I doubt they would Trade Malone with Stocton still around. But you never know.....

 

[Quasi-Quasar]

Byron Russell is also a SF and Brandley can handle SF also, anyways Marshall got most of his minutes at PF and some at center. And as for Malone, he has one more year under contract and even if they don't trade him to a contender Bradley isn't ready and Williams isn't good enough to play PF in the WC.

 

[jericho]

I guess the bottom line on this rumored trade is that it seems to me that Utah wouldn't be getting enough back. Marshall can start for several teams in the league. Williams is a great role player but not really a starter, and I don't have a clue whether Bradley deserves serious minutes. Unless Utah is sure he's a hidden gem who's ready to take off and just couldn't get on the court last year because of Toronto's crowded frontcourt, it's not worth it for Utah.

I agree that a SG is a higher priority for Utah, but I don't know who. Stackhouse, Wally and others are probably available at the right price, but I'm not sure Utah could put the right package together.

 

[JoeF]

Originally posted by TheGoods
Byron Russell is also a SF and Brandley can handle SF also, anyways Marshall got most of his minutes at PF and some at center. And as for Malone, he has one more year under contract and even if they don't trade him to a contender Bradley isn't ready and Williams isn't good enough to play PF in the WC.

Russell is probably gone. His agent says they haven't even talked about Russell (link below). Russell is shopping his services and assuming he won't be back. If he gets no offer he wants he may be back at a cheap price. Marshall usually starts at SF with Malone at PF and who ever is the starting center that game. Sometimes they do go small and play Malone, Marshall and Kirilinko or Russell. I don't think Marshall can play consistant starter minutes at PF and take the physical pounding.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,405018135,00.html

 

[jericho]

Can Kirilenko play SG effectively? He's got good size for it, but I don't know if he's got the speed...I just haven't seen enough of him.

Clearly, Stevenson and Lopez will get every chance this year to demonstrate that they're the backcourt of the future. But Marshall has played well for the Jazz, and I think they need to keep him unless they can really help themselves in a deal...

 

[JoeF]

Originally posted by jericho
Can Kirilenko play SG effectively? He's got good size for it, but I don't know if he's got the speed...I just haven't seen enough of him.

I don't know. Last year Kobe torched the Jazz in the first half. in the second half Kirilinko guarded him a lot and Kobe had a rough half. I didn't actually see the game so I am not sure on details. If he has the speed to do it his height length and Jumping ability would give opposing SG big time problems. One problem with Kirilinko at SG is he is also the best shotblocker on the team and this would hurt there. He would be playing farther from the basket and wouldn't be able to leave his man open to try to block shots as much.

I agrre with keeping Marshall though I am not convinced he can be a #1 option when Malone leaves.

 

[jericho]

I agree. In my opinion Marshall at his best is the perfect number three guy on a team, able to score some when needed and rebounding well with good size at the small forward position.

That said, the Jazz had better be thinking about who's going to score points in two years.

It would be interesting to see what Karl Malone's trade value is now...what a team like Dallas, Milwaukee or New Orleans would give up (Van Exel? Glen Robinson? Michael Redd in a sign-and-trade along with filler?) in order to have a 2-year window for a legitimate championship run. Malone's numbers will probably decline a bit more this year, but I think he's still good for 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists--if he can remember how to play without Stockton.

 

[JoeF]

Malone is going to be hard to trade. He is going to make 19.2 M this season. The Jazz will have signifacant cap room next summer to make a run at some free agents. They are going to be unwilling to take on longer term deals unless they are convinced they are getting players as good or better than are available next summer.

I don't think his numbers will drop this year for three reasons.
1. He is in the last year of his contract and needs to prove he can play to get $$$ next summer.
2. He is pissed that the Jazz are waffling on an extension. This means to him that they doubt him. This will motivate him.
3. Defensive rule changes and lack of outside shooting have affected his game.

His stats other than shooting percentage and rebounds haven't changed much in the last 4 years.

 

[Rickyb]

throw in keon, and jazz throwin kirelinko.

 

[JoeF]

Originally posted by Rickyb
throw in keon, and jazz throwin kirelinko.

Kirilinko is untouchable. It would take a player who is all-star level right now to get Kirilinko. Most people in Utah think Kirilinko is a future superstar. Theorganization is very high on him too.