shooper

@SleeperJazz 100% agree here. Although I think the 4-5th seed is very much within reach. Getting TO the playoffs is the first step. I do not expect them advance until 2 years from now.

Future of the Jazz: I think 2026 will be a step in the right direction, but I am not so sure that it will be our magical run in the postseason type of season. My early thoughts are that we are probably close to 42 wins next season, and like a 6 seed. Probably a dog fight in the first round, but the lack of experience could bite us in the butt. In order to manage expectations, I am fully expecting the Jazz to NOT make the second round of the playoffs this season. That way... if they do it will be a massive success in my eyes.

I have to take a minute to clear the air with some Jazz fans, and cement some of my opinions in the X realm. So here is a thread of some of my thoughts heading into this offseason, the draft, our pick, and the future of the Jazz. 🧵

@jazzbeargryllz @AJ3Jazz Agreed.

@AJ3Jazz I think Memphis might take Wilson I also think Washington might take Peterson But I do think 1/2 is set, and 3/4 is set

We could fast forward to June 23rd and I think the top-4 stays the same. WAS- Dybantsa UTA- Peterson MEM- Boozer CHI- Wilson

@JeffBiesinger I always hate when I see player comps that are insanely high. Kobe’s what? Between the 7th and 12th best player ever? And that’s DP’s comp? Come on… if he gets to a level half of Kobe’s, that’s an awesome player.

I’ve seen several Darryn Peterson comparisons to Kobe (not tons, but some). Don’t get me wrong, it’s exciting. Just don’t forget the reason Kobe was Kobe was because of the “mamba mentality”. A lot of guys have had Kobe talent. Very few have had his win at all cost instincts.

@TheRealDisco @Money23Green Yeah… I wonder what the difference is between Draymond Green and Wemby. I wonder if one then has a long history of this sort of thing and if the other one doesn’t.

If this was @Money23Green how many games would we be asking for?

@Spursnacho It wasn’t even the same game! GTFOH.

I forgot about this. I changed my opinion. I fully support an elbow to the head.

@DustinT_NBA @RyanQualtrics It’s a great zag by the NBA to convince people it’s not rigged after what they pulled last year.

I still believe 100% that the NBA Draft Lottery is rigged. I also 100% believe this statement played a role in the Jazz moving up for the first time. Thank you @RyanQualtrics

@kings_muse Thank you for beating the Warriors on April 10th. You really saved us that night.

Wizards and Jazz ruined tanking for the entire league and got rewarded with 1st and 2nd pick. Make it make sense.

@DustinT_NBA Yep. This is the only reason I would want the Jazz to even consider trading for the first pick. If AJ is interested and perhaps even excited about playing here, I think that’s worth a future asset or two that might only be in the 20’s.

It’s funny how people just ignore the Donovan and Hayward situation we always find ourselves in. Have to find players that want to be here.

@gawbaey I think you’re right. Because of the relationship with AJ, I would be willing to send a future FRP, maybe even add a 2nd rounder as a cherry on top in order to move up. Beyond that, and I’m very fine with simply drafting Peterson.

I’m genuinely confused why should the Jazz give up the farm to trade up to 1??? Why would the Wizards do that??? You absolutely cannot go wrong with AJ or DP.

@danclayt0n Thank you for this.

There also seems to be some confusion on what the Jazz have still in the way of picks. Here's a chart as of this moment. The 2033 picks can't be traded yet, but can be negotiated into deals that get consummated after the draft.

Going to update a few graphics now that we know some things about Utah's offseason. For ex: Utah's #2 pick will likely cost them somewhere around $13.2M in season one, meaning the Jazz are about $56M below the tax before making decisions about Kessler, Svi, Flip, the MLE, etc.

@jtucker1087 @PlatypusLyfe @sgthesoloist @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC Ha ha. Very fair. But that doesn’t mean it’s not accurate. :)

@shooper9 @PlatypusLyfe @sgthesoloist @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC That sounds like something a fan with the number 2 pick would say ;)

Can't wait to see if the Jazz try to move up to #1 to take AJ Dybantsa.

@TayoMurph @SwipaCam @JoshEberley Right. So it “worked” for the Celtics to trade down in that scenario. Just like it could be smart for the Wizards to trade down in this scenario.

@shooper9 @SwipaCam @JoshEberley They traded up for Markelle Fultz, the Celtics took Tatum with the 3rd pick.

Every single fake trade where the Wizards trade down with Utah is preposterous and assumes Utah is being run by the Jaguars draft day GM.

@SK_Stoop202 @JoshEberley Walker AND Bailey….? That seems a little unreasonable. The gap between them as players does not seem that big at all. AJ’s a great prospect, but he’s not a Flagg, Wemby type of level.

@shooper9 @JoshEberley Lifelong wizard fan I would end my fandom if they trade back with evil ainge and don't get walker and bailey 💀

@Saelgon_ @JoshEberley I agree. As players/prospects I think they’re close. Definitely a 1A-1B thing. But…. Given the relationship that the owner has had with AJ since High School, and that AJ might be interested/excited about playing his career in Utah, I think it might be worth an asset or two.

@shooper9 @JoshEberley Why would the Jazz give up assets to do this? AJ is awesome but Darryn is absolutely a better fit on this team. We also don’t know who the Jazz have 1 on their board. They can absolutely just wait and take whoever is at 2 and keep their assets

@SwipaCam @JoshEberley Really? Obviously times change, but in 2017 when the 76ers traded up from 3 to 1, all it cost then was the 3rd pick plus a future FRP.

@shooper9 @JoshEberley No

@PlatypusLyfe @sgthesoloist @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC Fair. You think Wizards value AJ that much over Peterson? I personally think they’re 1A and 1B instead of a 1 and 2.

@shooper9 @sgthesoloist @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC That’s the point?

@MarkW_E01 Every draft pick they own seems a little dramatic. Maybe 1 Future FRP? I’m not sure I would do two.

I’m dead ass serious - the Jazz gotta offer every draft pick they own to Washington. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to get a superstar talent that wants to be in Utah. They’ve literally never had a chance like this before. They gotta make it happen. Get to 1

@pdowdy83 @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC Makes sense. Would one additional FRP be enough? I figure AJ or Peterson are both a pretty good fit/pick for you right?

@shooper9 @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC No interest in Cody here. We already have guys like that.

@sgthesoloist @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC Sure. But the number 2 pick plus Ace seems way too high of a price to just move up one pick doesn’t it…?

@shooper9 @KevinOConnor @HousefromDC Wizards would definitely want Ace, they wanted him last year.