Utah Jazz (so far)

They've added only one free agent: Joe Johnson (2yrs/$22m). Through trades they picked up George Hill (for the #12 pick in the draft) and Boris Diaw (for a 2nd rd pick). On draft day they added three 2nd rounders (Isiah Whitehead, Joel Bolomboy, Tyrone Wallace) that drew some interest as prospects, though they seem like D League filler for now (keep an eye on Whitehead, that dude can play). They've only lost free agent Trevor Booker (more valuable to Brooklyn than Utah) and they traded Trey Burke for a 2nd rd pick (so, they more or less swapped him for Diaw, a very good trade).

The moves have been minimal and that's the norm for the Jazz. The core is in place, they only need to get naturally better. And to that end, I'm not a huge fan of the Joe Johnson deal: I thought he was not good for the Heat in the playoffs last year and even though the Jazz are getting him at a discount rate, I think he complicates their rotation more than giving them depth. I like adding Hill and Diaw, those guys will make worthwhile veteran contributions, whereas Johnson will slow everything down playing his deliberate ball-stopping style. Oh well, maybe he's trade bait.

So the rotation should look something like: PG Hill, SG Burks, SF Hayward, PF Favors, C Gobert with Exum, Mack, Hood, Johnson, Ingles, Lyles, Diaw, Pleiss off the bench. That's frisky, man, and on the right nights it'll be something that the Warriors have never seen before. These kids are too young to be intimidated for long. The beauty of a youth movement is that if you're able to grow something, it is automatically unique and therefore capable of any outcome in a head to head match. If this squad gels and avoids injuries and general slump-i-ness, they could be something really really good, something the Warriors might not think twice about til it all the sudden blows up in their face. But that'll take two more years.

I think the Jazz are a firm playoff team right now but once the season starts they could either way: get a great jump early and pile up some needed w's (high end: 4th in West) or they lollygag along trying to figure out how to win games (low end: 8th); either way I think they make the playoffs. Even if they're not as good as they ought to be, I still think the Jazz make the playoffs. It is time for them, I'm ready to see them move up a notch.