Editors note: This is the final segment in a four part series. Check out Nick’s other posts on Utah’s offseason decisions (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) and let us know what you think the Jazz should do this offseason. – JL

Mehmet Okur – 6’11 C

Associated Press

Current Contract Situation. Mehmet Okur will be paid $10,890,000 next season, which is the last year on his current contract.

Future with the Jazz. Memo’s face in the picture above perfectly sums up his disastrous 2010/2011 season. Okur appeared in just 13 games and played only 168 minutes for the Jazz last season. Memo is a competitor. We often forget that Okur injured his Achilles while trying to play through injury back in Utah’s last first round playoff series against Denver in early 2010. But at the age of 32, it’s not likely Memo will ever fully recover from one of the worst injuries in basketball. Luckily for Okur, his game has never required a great deal of athleticism. He has a decent back to the basket game, is great in pick and pop situations, and is lethal from downtown. Having a big that can stretch the defense has been a huge offensive luxury for the Jazz in years past and could be a real help to Jefferson and Favors if Memo does play again, but with a contract as pricy as Memo’s, that’s an expensive if. Nobody knows how the new CBA will change things, but expiring contracts such as Okur’s have always been attractive trade chips. Although it would make sense to move Okur, I anticipate the Jazz enduring through Okur’s contract the same way they endured through AK’s. I see Okur coming back and being a 12-18 minute a night guy that will average around 6 points and 4 rebounds a game while helping Utah improve their abysmal outside shooting.

Paul Millsap – 6’8 PF

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Current Contract Situation. Paul Millsap has two years left on his contract as he will make $6,700,000 and 7,200,000 for the next two seasons.

Future with the Jazz. Where do I begin with the current Paul Millsap situation? I feel like I could write an entire article on this topic, oh wait, I already have. The Millsap predicament could be summed up as simply as if he will accept a bench role or not. If so, Millsap will continue on as a huge asset to this team as he provides both on and off the court leadership. If not, hopefully grass is greener on the other side for both Paul and the Jazz. After all, what’s the golden rule when it comes to investing? Buy low and sell high. Millsap’s stock has never been higher, and if he’s not open to being our 6^th man, now might be the perfect time for the Jazz to cash in. As much as I hope Paul will continue his team-first attitude and stay with the Jazz as he could be one of the most valuable bench players in the league and the backbone of our roster, he’s been too territorial over those starting minutes to convince me that he’ll go for it. Getting equal value in return for Paul will be difficult as finding guys that have both the skills and the right attitude is tough to come by, but there’s no doubt he will be heavily shopped and may have even played his last game in a Jazz jersey.

CJ Miles – 6-6 SG

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Current Contract Situation. CJ Miles is under contract for one more year next season for $3,700,000.

Future with the Jazz. Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, CJ’s shooting is schizophrenic, and so is his shooting. In 5 years in the league, CJ has yet to show that he can be a consistent contributor. Scoring 40 points in a game is very impressive, but if it’s followed by two weeks of shooting 3-13 from the field, the excitement of that great game quickly wears off. Although it seems like CJ has been in the league forever, he just turned 24 a few months ago, and if he is at all a late bloomer, he has the skill set to still become a very nice player. I hate giving up on a player with such a great body and shooting touch at the age of 24, and so should the Jazz, but I’ve heard from a source close to the team that the Jazz are ready to part ways with Miles. During last week’s draft, the Jazz were reported to be perhaps the most active team on the trade market and are really looking to improve their backcourt. Yes, Utah picked up CJ’s team option, but not because they are believers, rather because his affordable contract and upside would be a nice complement to Harris or Millsap in a deal to land a proven scorer. If Utah doesn’t end up moving Miles, it seems as though he has one year left to prove his worth.

Andrei Kirilenko – 6-9 SF

Tom Smart/Deseret News

Current Contract Situation. Andrei Kirilenko is an unrestricted free agent after collecting $17,822,187 last season.

Future with the Jazz. Andrei’s future with the Jazz solely depends on what Kirilenko’s asking price is. Appraising the value of AK is difficult for some of the same reasons it’s difficult to value CJ. Would you rather have a guy that on a scale of 1 to 10 plays at an 8 level but only plays 60 games a season, or would you rather have a guy who plays on a 6 level but will give it to you every night? While CJ’s problems are with consistency and Andrei’s are with injury, the issue is still the same. When asked about what Andrei is looking for in a new contract, he specifically mentioned that money wasn’t an issue, stating the fact that he already has enough money, which I agree with. He cited living in a good community, playing for a successful organization, and getting playing time as requirements for a new deal. Utah checks out on all of these, but is Andrei really telling the truth? I have a hard time believing Kirilenko will sign a 4 year, $20 million dollar contract with the Jazz when New Jersey (and potentially other teams) could be offering him something in the $50 million dollar range. I wouldn’t mind seeing Andrei back with the Jazz, but only if the price is right. After all, isn’t the last six years of being perhaps the most overpaid player in the league enough to give the Jazz the home team discount for his next contract? As usual in free agency, however, I see somebody grossly over-bidding for Andrei, making the decision easy for him to move on.

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Ever since I was a kid, I can remember Kevin O’Connor talking about how the best strategy in any draft is taking the best player available. The Portland Trailblazers are the perfect bad example of what happens when you start drafting for need as they passed on Michael Jordan and Kevin Durrant because they already had Clyde Drexler and Brandon Roy playing those same positions (in those respective years). With Utah’s dire need to improve their outside shooting and their defense, they did neither. Instead, they drafted the two best players that were available to them at picks 3 and 12.

With the third pick in last night’s draft, the Jazz selected the constant smiling Enes Kanter. Although Kanter couldn’t possibly be more unproven, you’ve got to like what this kid brings to the table. He’s a legit 6’11 and weighs 260 lbs. with 5% body fat. Kanter has really only played one game in the last year, but he sure made that game count. Kanter didn’t just have a good game, he absolutely destroyed the likes of Jared Sullinger and Terrence Jones. Kanter’s footwork, rebounding, and ability to run the court made him look like a man among boys in last year’s Nike Hoops Summit. Offensively, Kanter can do it from inside and out. He has a great touch around the room and his range extends all the way out to the NBA 3-pt line. His defense is a complete unknown, but with a solid work ethic and a perfect NBA body, this is something Kanter can learn. Kanter’s rebounding is his NBA skill. Don’t think of Kanter as a European big, rather an American style player that loves to get hit and play physical inside. In a weak draft like this one, Kanter’s talent level and potential was just too much to ignore. Utah took the best player available to them and now may have a big man that could be a beast in a Jazz jersey for years to come.

With the 12^th pick in last night’s draft, the Jazz selected Alec Burks from Colorado. Before I start complaining about Utah passing on Kawhi Leonard and Chris Singleton, I must hold myself accountable to a tweet I sent out yesterday just hours before the draft;

Having said that, I continue to struggle to find the value Burks adds to the Jazz. As mentioned earlier, the Jazz were one of the worst perimeter teams in the NBA last year; we couldn’t make threes nor could we guard them. Alec Burks has great length and athleticism for a shooting guard, but he’s not much of a defender and his outside shot is bad enough to make a grown man cry. Burks shot just 29% from the college three point line last year, a shot that will now become his mid-range J. Another major concern I have for Burks is his inability to be productive without the ball in his hands as his offensive role with Colorado was somewhat similar to Jimmer Fredette’s with BYU. So add Burks to the crowded list of Devin Harris, Al Jefferson, and Gordon Hayward as players that are at their best when dominating the ball. The Jazz could have greatly benefited by adding a relentless defender and hustler in Kawhi Leonard, but if Burks’ shooting can improve, the rest of his game has the make up for him to be a very good, Brandon Roy type player. Until the jump shot improves however, his inability to score from outside will really hurt the Jazz’ floor spacing and will continue to make things difficult for Jefferson, Favors, Kanter and Millsap inside. Perhaps the memory of Kobe Bryant just completely ignoring Ronnie Brewer and double teaming whomever he wanted for the entire playoff series is still too fresh on mind to be excited about this pick. But don’t worry Jazz fans, I’d be willing to bet the farm Kevin O’Connor knows something I don’t, and hopefully two years from now, this article of mine looks like the biggest blasphemy since the doubters of John Stockton. Perhaps not a great fit, the Jazz stuck to their guns and took the best player available to them at 12. After all, Portland’s experience shows us it’s the way to go.

Jeff joins Tyler over at the Pulse Network’s Sports Buzz for some morning after thoughts on the Jazz, their 2011 selections, and even some Jimmer. Take a look, and let us know how you feel about this year’s draft in the comments.

[Editor's Note: As most of us continue to prepare/argue about draft picks, Salt City Hoops remains interested in the state of the current roster!  Who stays, who goes, and how bright are their respective futures? Join us for part 3 of Nick Smith's 4 part series. - JL]

PART 1 and PART 2

Earl Watson – 6’1 PG

Current Contract Situation. Earl Watson signed a one-year deal last summer with the Utah Jazz for the veteran’s minimum $1,229,255. He enters this off-season a free agent.

Future with the Jazz. I have no idea how Earl Watson made it ten years in the league before landing with the Jazz. Earl found his niche as a hard-nosed, pesky defender back in college and became the all-time leader in steals in UCLA school history. Earl possesses great quickness, and although not a dangerous three point shooter, has a solid mid-range game. He lacks some play-making abilities that other point guards in the league have, but Watson was the best back-up point guard the Jazz have seen in years. Despite having a miserable year off the court, Earl stayed focused throughout the season and made appearances in all but two games. He picked up the Jazz’ complex offense exceptionally fast and did a nice job in the starting lineup during extended periods of injuries for both Deron Williams and Devin Harris. With a very young roster, the Jazz need veteran players to provide locker room leadership and on-court confidence, and Earl Watson delivered just that. As for Watson’s future, the Jazz would be making a big mistake to let this veteran walk, especially if they select a point guard with one of their lottery picks. Earl would be a great mentor to the Jazz’ young roster as he was to Gordon Hayward this last season. Although I try to avoid using Matt Harping sayings at all costs, look for Watson to be back in a Jazz uniform next season tossing Early-Oops left and right.

Raja Bell – 6-5 SG

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Current Contract Situation. Last July, Raja Bell signed a 3 year deal with the Jazz worth nearly $10 million. He collected $3,000,000 last season, and is due $3.2 and $3.5 million for seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, respectively.

Future with the Jazz. It’s no secret Raja was a huge disappointment last season, even Raja has admitted that. He never really found his jump shot, he struggled to be consistent with the sporadic minutes (according to Raja) he was given, and has lost a lot of that defensive lock-down ability that made him such an attractive free agent back in July. In essence, the Jazz didn’t land the Kobe-stopping, sharp-shooter they were hoping for. Instead, they signed a 34 year old SG who was suddenly just a mediocre defender that really had a hard time contributing on the offensive end. It’s difficult to project how a player at Raja’s age will bounce back from perhaps the worst season of his career, but I have a hunch Jazz fans won’t be the ones watching it. Raja’s name surfaced in February trade deadline chatter as a few teams showed interest in acquiring the 10-year veteran. Raja is a total pro and would never quit on any team he was under contract with, but the departure of Jerry Sloan really took the wind out of his sails as Bell previously admitted that playing for Coach Sloan was the primary reason he was interested in returning to Utah. With Jerry gone and the Jazz in re-building mode, trading Bell or buying him out of his contract may just be the best option for both parties. With the Jazz’ track record of finding diamonds in the rough late in the draft, acquiring a second round pick in exchange for Raja would be ideal.

Ronnie Price – 6-2 PG

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Current Contract Situation. Ronnie Price is a free agent after collecting $1,380,000 for last season’s services.

Future with the Jazz. Ronnie Price is a total class act and a fan favorite, but so was Kyle Korver.  Unfortunately for Ronnie, the NBA is an organization of teams that must value winning over player likability. If you don’t believe the Jazz are one of those teams, perhaps the recent departure of one Ashton Kutcher look-a-like will remind you that they are. At the beginning of the season, it seemed Ronnie’s success playing alongside Earl Watson helped established him in the Jazz’ bench rotation. The tandem of guards wreaked havoc in the backcourt and were the main spark in many of the Jazz’ come-from-behind victories. Ronnie did everything the Jazz asked him to do and performed up to expectations by most accounts. Ronnie is a very consistent player, one where a team knows exactly what they’re going to get from him; toughness, hustle, athleticism, competitiveness, a bad shooter, questionable decision maker, etc. The question now becomes, is there a need here for the Jazz? The answer may just come the night of the NBA draft. Under the assumption the Jazz plan to re-sign Earl Watson, if Utah drafts a point guard with one of their two first-round picks, Price is likely to be the odd man out. But would that really be so bad? I often question if Jazz faithful have overly embraced Ronnie Price just because he played at UVSC. Without these ties, would fans be begging for his departure – Jarron Collins style? After all, Ronnie Price’s PER is an unbelievably inefficient 5.5! I don’t see Ronnie Price back with the Jazz next season, which in ways is sad as it would have been fun to see two guys from colleges in Utah County on the same team, if you catch my drift.

Kyrylo Fesenko – 7-1 C

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Current Contract Situation.  Kyrylo Fesenko signed a one-year deal last summer with the Jazz worth $1,087,500. He enters this off-season a free agent.

Future with the Jazz. If Ronnie Price is Mr. Predictable, Mr. Consistent, a player who you know exactly what you’re going to get from him every night, Kyrylo Fesenko is the anti-Price. I’ve seen him lock down on players like Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, and Nene, yet the very next game he can look like he’s not sure what team he’s playing for and spends most of his time on the court trying to figure that out. Fes’ potential is extremely high; has GREAT size, moves well for his size, blocks shots, rebounds, and protects the rim by altering shots. His greatest weaknesses (i.e. foul prone, inconsistent, and often in bad shape) typically result from lack of concentration and preparation. In considering his future value, one must ask if this will ever change. One could argue that a concentration and motivation issue is better than talent problems, citing maturity as a quicker cure than years practicing in the gym. As nice as that sounds, however, Fesenko has had plenty of incentives to start making a name for himself but just hasn’t been able to remain dedicated. For example, with Mehmet Okur out for the entire season, I fully expected Fesenko to find himself a spot in the Jazz’ rotation, and one good season can make a big man with his size a lot of money (see Greg Ostertag, Brendan Haywood, Nazr Mohammed, etc.). The Jazz only giving Fesenko a one-year deal last summer tells me they were open to giving him one last shot to prove himself, and if Fesenko couldn’t grab a roster spot with an injury-riddled front court last season, it’s not likely he ever will. It will be sad to see him go as Fes is a really funny dude, but too much jackpotting around will usually get you fired from any job.

Stay tuned for part 4 of 4 of this series as I predict how the Jazz rebuilding process will change the face of this organization, and what that means for the currently longest-tenured Jazz men on the roster; Andrei Kirilenko, C.J. Miles, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur.

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