Utah Jazz: Is Alec Burks Going To Be On The Move This Offseason?
Finally draft week is here. Things are starting to happen like Doc Rivers leaving the Celtics to coach the Clippers. Draft related items however have grown quiet as teams begin hashing out the pros and cons of each player in detail. I for one prefer to speculate when information is coming out fast and furious while teams are doing workouts. These quiet times lend to plenty of guessing and suspense. One thing that seems to be happening lately though is talk about Alec Burk’s future with the Utah Jazz.
Alec Burks is the biggest question mark of Utah’s “Core 4” young guns. He has received the least amount of playing time but has performed well when given the minutes. He has shown the ability to be a playmaker and has shown an improved shot. He plays good defense and seems to hustle on the court. Was he just a victim of playing behind a lot of veteran wings or is there more to it the fans don’t see? One thing seems to be certain, he will be a big part of this offseason.
On 1280 The Zone’s Big Show on Friday afternoon Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey said the team will be very aggressive in terms of moving up in the draft and could do so if they wanted to right now. To me this means they want to move up much higher than the offers they have on the table. I think the Jazz want to get into at least the top 5 if not the top 3. They seem much more comfortable with who they will draft at 21 and I think Isaiah Canaan of Murray St is a legit candidate to be drafted there as The J Notes editor Josh Haslam has been proclaiming for some time now. At 14 though, I don’t think the Jazz are comfortable at all and this is where a trade involving Alec Burks could help the Jazz move up on draft night.
Mar 24, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo (4) reacts in the second half against the Temple Owls during the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeated Temple 58-52. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
A trade scenario I really like was detailed by P&B staff writer Broox Anderson in this article: https://thejnotes.com/2013/06/23/utah-jazz-how-the-utah-jazz-can-draft-victor-oladipo/. I think Victor Oladipo represents everything the Jazz are looking for in this draft. If the comparisons to Dwayne Wade come to fruition, Oladipo would easily be remembered as the best player of this draft. His game would fit in beautifully with Gordon Hayward at the 3 and (Insert veteran point guard here)/Canaan at the 1. In Broox’s trade scenario it would be No. 2 overall pick (Oladipo) and a Trade Exception gained from Orlando’s Josh McRoberts trade with the Bobcats going to the Jazz in exchange for The No. 14 pick, Alec Burks, rights to Ante Tomic and a future 2nd rounder going to Orlando. I think it’s a win-win for both teams. (Note: For this trade to work the Jazz would have to draft the player of Orlando’s choosing first, then the trade can be completed. Teams can only trade 1st round picks outright every other year)
It’s worth noting that Patrick Kinahan of 1280 The Zone’s morning show DJ & PK was on the local Utah CBS affiliate’s 2News Talking Sports last night and he mentioned that he thinks Alec Burks would have to be involved in any draft day trade that involved the Jazz moving up. PK is fairly well connected in the sports community here and doesn’t use player’s names lightly so a statement like that is meaningful. Alec Burks is going to have an impact on the Jazz this offseason and next season as a whole. His improved play will solidify himself as a key player to this team or he will help Utah get a player they think can help them for years to come.