New GM in Utah: Big Changes Coming?

[lazyforlife]

After weeks of speculation, Utah has finally hired its new GM. Mike, aka lazyforlife, comes to Salt Lake City after years of coaching in college after spending years working in an NBA front office. Mike joins Utah who just finished going 31-51, the 9th worst record in the league.

Mike had no choice but to hit the ground running. The NBA Draft Lottery was happening just hours after Mike was officially announced as the new GM. Arriving just minutes before the lottery went on air, Mike took his seat at the lottery, hoping for some good luck on his first day. When the #9 pick was announced and it wasn’t Utah, a huge smile came across Mike’s face. Utah ended up with the 3rd pick, much to the delight of Mike.

“The new era of Utah Jazz basketball just added a new asset to help it build,” said Mike after the lottery.

Whoever the team decides to take at #3 (unless its traded) well join a team filled with young talent. All-Star Derrick Favors leads this young talent. Derrick, who missed 20 games due to injury, lead the league in blocked shots at 2.4 per game. He also averaged 16.0 points and 10.7 rebounds a game. Joining Favors in the frontcourt is Enes Kanter. Kanter, who missed 58 games, averaged 13.0 points and 8.7 rebounds a game. Mike has a decision to make as Kanter’s contract has expired and could be in demand from other teams.

The backcourt has its own young talent as well. Last year’s #2 overall pick Dante Exum had a very exciting rookie season. He averaged 12.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in playing every game while starting 78 of them. Joining him on the wing is Gordon Hayward. Hayward was 2nd on the team in scoring, putting in 14.6 points per game. Hayward plays a huge role in help facilitate the Jazz offense. Trey Burke started every game at pg, putting up 10.4 points and 3.4 assists per game. Backing up these 3 was Alec Burks. Burks, who started 62 of the 82 games and is a free agent after the season, scored 12.1 points per game. The future for Utah is bright as 6 averaged double digit scoring, with backup post Jason Thompson scoring 9.9 points per game in only 21 games.

Mike has requested time to meet with the coaching staff, but rumors coming from the front office expect Mike to clean house and bring in his own coaching staff. First up on his list is hiring a new scouting department and hit the roads to look for options for that #3 pick.

[emplep7]

You have a really good young core that should have played better than their final record this year. Add the 3rd pick (or whatever talent you get if you trade it) and you could be a playoff team next year in the weak Western Conference. Good luck.

[Marcos_Beck]

Thank God, someone active to take care of those young Jazz. You seem to have a plan, I'm betting you will do a great job with that team. I hope you prove me you're right!

Young team, with lots of talent but not so many good fits. You'll have your hands full while building this squad as you like, as you have lots of assets. As for the 3rd pick, you strike gold, because both Harris and Randle who are projected as #3 fit your team, one as a great post scorer, the other as a nice shooter / defender. Harris is a great complement to Exum and Hayward, would give you a great defensive / playmaking / scoring perimeter, and good rebounding too. That would be amazing, those 3 with Burcs and Burke completing the perimeter rotation. Then you'd need 2 more competent bigs next to Favors and Kanter to have a great team!

[NanashiWake]

Favors is always a favorite of mine. nice young talent.

[Marcos_Beck]

BTW Burks signed an extension this season, check it here viewtopic.php?f=37&t=1190

[Rizzo]

Need to fix that back court as I don't think all the pieces fit but man you got some great young talent to work around.

[bt]

Arsed a top pick last season and arsed another one this season. Great gain for a new GM but lucky as hell two years in a row.

[Sky]

Good read! Lucky on falling third overall, promising days ahead for the Jazz..

[Jestor]

So pissed at Utah's luck the last two years.

[Dennis]

Tim you got the Utah pick for free.. So you can't complain:)!
Will be interesting how you will retool the Jazz. A very young and talented team! Boston has interest in Favors and Hayward.. Just to leave it here:)

[lazyforlife]

Thanks fellas! Looking forward to turning this team around quickly and making them competitive.

[Chilikonkarne]

Burks, who started 62 of the 82 games and is a free agent after the season, scored 12.1 points per game.

Burks signed an extension this year so no free agent : http://championsimleague.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=1190

[Dennis]

Thanks fellas! Looking forward to turning this team around quickly and making them competitive.

Some work ahead of you! Actually its very nice you joined during the playoffs. You now can get to know the engine, the league and your players before committing to anything stupid. Often it happens that new joiner rush into something stupid.
Good luck man!

[andrei]

Thanks fellas! Looking forward to turning this team around quickly and making them competitive.

Good read.
Be careful there Mike. Turning around "quickly" is what a lot of GMs want but not easily achieved. Most of the time it takes a while. But you have a good team and with another solid pick you should be able to improve big time.