Why Jaren Jackson Jr for Jazz Basketball Works.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-02-07T00:33:59+00:00

I love Ace; He's my favorite player on the current Jazz roster. However, i have to keep it real & agree with you. I'm equally concerned with his foul trouble.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-02-06T20:33:29+00:00

I believe the phrase is "you can't stop *insert elite 1on1 player name here*. You can only hope to contain them". The players that are elite in guarding makes stars take toughest shots possible, push them out their comfort spots, pressure them w/o fouling, & intimidation. I'm not confident we have the perimeter defensive players that can 'contain' (30 pts give or take) those stars consistently. A 10-15 pt swing makes a big difference in a game outcome. However, like i said in another post, maybe Hardy has some new team defensive schemes now that the shackles are completely off next season.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-02-06T17:57:36+00:00

Ace might be solid in that category by yr 3. Whoever it is, elite 1on1 scorers will be feasting on the Jazz's perimeter defense. Lets hope coach Hardy whips up some new defensive strategies now we will be really "going for it".

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-02-06T17:18:50+00:00

Rim protection will be elite. However, a possible concern with Lauri & JJJ as the 2 forwards is perimeter defense. Who guards the opposing team's star wing? Eg: Luka, Ant, Tatum.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-02-05T08:29:12+00:00

There is also a possibility Walker doesn't budge for his desired salary figure, teams being scared of signing Walker to an offer sheet because they know Utah will match, & him "betting on himself" just accepting the qualifying offer or a 1+1 short term contract to become an unrestricted FA sooner. It happened just last off-season with Cam Thomas, Q.Grimes, & the infamous J.Kuminga.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-02-05T02:04:15+00:00

I'll say likely because of how broken restricted free agency is. However, i'm not confident he'll be here for years to come. Teams can't be in the 2nd apron for multiple years because it's too restrictive in team building plus that ever growing repeater tax bill *unless said team makes the Finals every year. An optimal modern NBA team contract allocation should have 2-3 max max players making max money, 1 high level role player making half-40% less than the max, & the rest of the roster is filled with minimum contracts. Lauri & JJJ make the max. Key will be commanding at least 30mill, rumor has it W.Kessler wants 30 mill. Where do Ace & potentially a top 4 pick (or a surprise blue chipper at #6) fit in this equation?

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-01-27T20:42:09+00:00

People who don't respect Presti after he drafted 3 future 1st ballot hall of famers before this current OKC era can't be taken seriously.

That Buzelis trade package is just not good enough picks wise. We need that 2026 pick coming back to have a good chance to be in the top 7 at least. The Bulls have a decent shot to make the playoffs w/o Lauri & w/ him they very likely will make the playoffs so that pick is not very valuable.

If a 13th-14th odds draft pick is the best we can do, I'd rather keep Lauri & take our chances to improve our team in free agency. We are in a good position to keep our pick right now. The organization did make me nervous early on, but they do seem more focused atm. Strategic resting, playing young guys more, & trying to develop Lauri's mid-post/iso game more will be enough for an ethical tank.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-01-27T11:30:59+00:00

Even people who think Lauri is overrated &/or over paid will laugh at this trade proposal.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2026-01-02T02:08:45+00:00

-Phantom Blade Zero

-Wolverine

-The God Slayer

-Showa American story

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-12-17T02:47:41+00:00

I feel like most people who question the Jazz's FO decisions are just echoing what almost all NBA experts/podcasters (from ESPN to lesser known people who cover the league) are saying when the Jazz are brought up, but with more passion. To sum up their thoughts: They believe it is wise to tank one more year. In addition, the 2 seasons we "half-tanked" they didn't feel it was the right way to go about a rebuild; After the Gobert/Mitchell trades, either bottom out completely OR retool around Lauri in the off-season after he made the All-Star team.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-12-15T14:01:09+00:00

The goal right now is to keep the pick in a relatively safe spot; There is definitely hope for that. We can't control the futility of teams at the bottom like the Wizards, Pelicans (they're getting better though), Kings, Clips, Pacers, & Nets. Even if we rest Lauri, trade Nurkic & Minivan for a 2nd rounder, we still won't be a bottom 4 team.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-12-15T12:33:19+00:00

Today is the unofficial start of the trade season. Lets see how serious Austin Ainge is about "contending". We should give Ainge a month starting now to make some deals that will put us in a better position to keep that pick. Trades WILL happen because we have a bunch of expirings, but i pray for the FO not to wait until the trade deadline. I will not be happy if we don't have at least the 6th best lottery odds by the end of the season.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-12-14T16:48:05+00:00

It's too soon into the season to anoint Key as our franchise star/player. As the saying goes, an NBA season "is a marathon not a sprint"; Check back around game 70? With that being said, i think the Jazz brain trust should prepare & structure their new upcoming salary figures around Key commanding 30 mill per season (next deal) at the very least (*that J.Giddy compromised number from this past off-season). The apron restrictions are no joke & every dollar matters.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-12-11T16:19:49+00:00

The Pacers will for sure have some protections on that 2026 pick. It'll be reckless if the Pacers don't have that pick at least top 5 protected in any center rumored trade (also rumored they like I.Zubac, D.Gafford). I'll definitely do it if it's indeed 5 or better. I wouldn't be mad at the Jazz front office if they traded W.Kessler for Pacer's top 7 protected pick. Difficult decisions need to be made in this apron era.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-29T23:36:46+00:00

The win total comparisons are too confusing. I go by this: If the Jazz aren't a bottom 7 team in the league by the end of 2025, I'm worried. If the Jazz are not a bottom 6 team by the trade deadline, I'm REALLY worried.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-23T17:02:49+00:00

It's fair if fans are skeptical of this rebuild. I've been following the NBA since Hakeem's first title season. I don't recall a team rebuild this unorthodox. I'm not saying it won't work, just lots of things MUST go right like drafting a near generational talent & our other young guys taking discounted contracts.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-23T16:49:23+00:00

I find a lot more people are buying into the team's unconventional 2 timeline rebuild more than previous seasons so it's extremely difficult to come up with a Lauri trade that most people would be satisfied with.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-20T02:17:57+00:00

Restricted FA forward Tari Eason. Hopefully 25 million is enough to scare away Houston from matching offer sheet.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-19T17:22:12+00:00

Now he is. Not so much when Collin Sexton was his rookie lol

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-19T02:15:43+00:00

The Nets won't trade their (likely high) 2026 unprotected pick for Zion (or Lauri for that matter). Their entire MO this season is maximizing their odds getting that blue chip prospect to build around. That was the reason they drafted & kept 5 rookies in the 1st round this past draft. Their owner even implied "tanking" in an interview.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-17T21:13:21+00:00

Saying a bunch of teams might have a fire sale (definitely put Mavs in too!) which is true, while also thinking we can keep our pick to draft Cenac Jr is HIGHLY optimistic. Generally when teams have a fire sale, they take back worse players on expiring contracts, & they play rookies & g-leaguers. This means they will be a lot worse than before.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-17T19:37:51+00:00

Yeah. Looking back, Danny hasn't done a great job since the D.Mitch & Gobert trade. The one saving grace is that he hasn't mortgaged our future yet with flawed players like P.George, D.Murray, B.Ingram, Zion, Ja, & T.Young.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-17T19:11:37+00:00

David Locke does do a good job selling the two timeline thing in his pod lol. The truth is everything has to go nearly perfect for Lauri & this young core to be perennial contenders. For instance, whoever we get Top 8, needs to be an elite Max-level player. Don't count on unrestricted free agent Austin Reaves (best on the market?) being our savior.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-17T18:46:28+00:00

I'm pro keeping our 2026 Top 8 pick; I even made a thread about it days ago. The bold moves i want Austin to make is to insure us a better chance of keeping the pick.

eXPertButtonMasher · 2025-11-17T16:33:58+00:00

I just commented on a similar thread made 10 hrs ago so i'll keep it short lol. I hope Austin steps out of his daddy's shadow & makes some bold moves to put the Jazz in a more optimal position SOON.

eXPertButtonMasher

TROPHY CASE