Mega Deal Friday: Brewer for AK47

Interesting idea, though I don’t know that I’d agree with you about Kirilenko’s ability to hit the longball – this seems like the weakest part of his game to me, maybe the only weak part of his game. I don’t know about trading for Brewer, I personally love Brewer and think he’s going to be really good, but I’m also a huge fan of Kirilenko.

So why am I posting? I want to say this: Jerry Sloan has used Kirilenko terribly since I can remember. Everyone talks about what a great coach he is, but frankly his misuse of Kirilenko makes me think that “inflexible,” “uninventive” and “unimaginative” are better words to describe him. I know I’ve said this before but I was in Europe during Eurobasket 07, and hence was able to see how Kirilenko singlehandedly won that tournament for Russia (slight exaggeration; Holden was also very good, but nowhere near the same talent). Basically what I’m saying is this: Kirilenko is a once in a lifetime talent who is literally wasting away under Sloan’s lack of imagination. I’ve never seen anyone who could do as many weird, freaky things as he can, both on offence and defence (e.g. people who have only seen him in the NBA have absolutely no idea what a good passer he is), and it would be nice to see him go to a team that could make use of his talent.

It’s definitly a good idea. Well thought about and it’s balanced. It’s something that could work for both teams. There’s a plus for both. Nothing unrealistical.

I do like AK47, I also liked Fesenko on draft day, I’m not sure about Almond if I can remember well he was also OK. It would also clear up our last batch of bad contracts. The fact that it would throw free agency out of the window is not a problem to me. We got AK47, we were thinking about getting Turkoglu, Childress or the-guy-from-indy .. AK is worth more than that. Besides, how good a chance have we got that players really wanna sign in Minny (cfr Livingston).

So it really sounds like an ok deal I still think I’d pass. The whole plan of the team was to keep a core of guys together and really make a team this time (as opposed to KG + parts). Make one oiled machine. So to plug someout out of that core, I’d have to be a real no brainer. This is a good trade but not a no brainer. The only thing that would make me change my mind is if Carney really showed he is here to stay.
In that case this trade would set us back 1-2 years chemistry-wise, but it would up our chances quite a lot.. on the other hand it would also close our window a bit… Tough one.

AK is also about the same age of Mike Miller. So another guy who’s going to be a real veteran when the young guys mature. So it’s basicly choosing between a guy who’s a veteran and has proven himself and one that’s still young, growing in the core and showing promise. Their games are quite similar if you ask me.
Straight up I wouldn’t do it .. Fesenko is nice .. but we already got Pekovic waiting for that last center spot .. for the sake of let’s not take any chance when we don’t have to .. I wouldn’t do it.

AK will break you?
No, he only break himself
Wife let sleep around

Brewer is kind of a poor man’s AK47 right now, minus the shot blocking. Plus he’s younger, has time to develop, and light years CHEAPER. There will be better fish to catch in the next couple years in free agency or trades if we keep our cap/cash situation in tact. Signing AK47 would seriously detract from that. If we make a trade it needs to be either a bonifide star or a young guy with loads of potential a la Big Al. Either will take money but that is something we will have in the next couple years. Plus we have some excellent up and coming players to use in trades (Craig Smith, Corey Brewer, Gomes, Telfair, etc.).
P.S. Has anyone been able to watch pre-season games on line? I tried with sopcast the other night and it wasn’t available….

Very good deal for Utah ….. I wouldn’t do it from Minny’s perspective.

Utah gets cap space and the superior perimeter defender who has good potential. All they have to give up is a player who’s a complication in their system on both ends of the floor, plus two prospects in positions where they already have better young prospects.

Minnesota – giving up cap flexibility, taking on one of the worst contracts in basketball + a player who is a shadow of himself at small forward, and would be in the way of Love/Al if playing power forward.

4 things.

First… AK at the 4. I’ve been calling for it (and I’m not the only one) for a while. It seems that if Booze does leave after the season, it could be our best shot. Having him play on the wing is a bit hard because it forces him to stay out there, while he’s best causing havoc in the middle of the paint. And 2nd, the Jazz already have 1 wing starting without much of a jumper (Brewer). No need for 2.

Second… I love(d) Corey Brewer. Really. I was hoping the Jazz would trade up for him (instead, we got Almond, who’ll be a FA after this season now). I’m just not sure if giving up the 1 “impact big” who’ll definitely be under contract next season (Booze & Okur can opt out, ‘Sap is a FA-to-be) is the best thing. Especially not for another young wing (we have enough, and J-Slo seems to hate all of them). And not when our biggest need is interior help (I don’t think Cardinal & the elder Collins will help there).

Third… Yes, AK is overpaid. We all know that. But there’s not much you can do about it. Still, his game fits the Jazz well defensively (one of the few who plays defense), and his jack-of-all-trades acts is huge on the offensive end, especially now, with Deron out. He’s able to handle the ball when need arise, he’ll get the boards, he’ll attack the hole and move around without the ball, and occasionally he’ll even drop a three-ball.

And finally… Please! No more Collins’! We have 1, and that’s 2 too many.