Sarah Todd retweetledi
Utah Jazz beat writer Sarah Todd joined @espnthefan to break down the idea of drafting the "hometown hero":
Q: Since I moved to Utah in 2005, I haven’t seen a player really want to sign a long-term max contract and stay in Utah. Deron Williams, Gordon Hayward, Donovan Mitchell — you go down the list.
So I do think there’s urgency to find someone who actually wants to be here long-term. We know AJ likes Utah.
What’s your reaction to that idea?
Sarah Todd: I think what I’d say is that it hasn’t been “not wanting to be in Utah” that made people leave. It’s been not wanting to lose.
Donovan Mitchell did sign a max deal. Rudy Gobert signed a max deal. Those were huge deals for the Jazz, and then the team traded them after things fell apart.
If the Jazz beat the Clippers and go to the Western Conference Finals, if Quin Snyder wants to stay longer, if the Jazz don’t feel like everything is collapsing, I think we’re talking about a completely different scenario.
Q: But did Donovan really want to stay? It always felt like he wanted out.
Sarah Todd: I think he wanted out because nothing felt good anymore.
Winning cures everything. If the Jazz had been progressing, if they’d gotten past the second round, I don’t think they’re trading multiple All-Stars.
But over years, the chips started falling away. It wasn’t just Donovan. It was everything.
And you can look around the league — this happens everywhere. Guys sign max deals, but if there’s no winning, situations change.
Look at Giannis in Milwaukee right now. He wanted to stay there forever. But even then, if there’s no winning, things can change.
These guys want to go where winning is possible.
That brings it back to what I was saying about mediocrity. That’s what teams should really fear.
Because even if you get AJ Dybantsa and he signs an extension, five years from now, if the Jazz aren’t winning, he’s going to want out just like everyone else.
Q: Maybe if he goes to Washington, the Jazz can get him on the back end.
Sarah Todd: Honestly, if there are teams in the NBA I trust to screw things up, it’s probably the Wizards and the Kings.
Full interview: spreaker.com/episode/5-19-2…
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