“This was a team that was expensive and just not very good” - Brian Windhorst outlines why NBA GM broke up his team this offseason
The NBA is full of surprises, and the Utah Jazz pulled a surprising trick out of their sleeve this offseason. ESPN's Brian Windhorst explained why Ainge blew up the playoff team.
Besides the Kevin Durant drama in Brooklyn, the Jazz were the most talked about team in the NBA this offseason. They traded their All-Star center, Rudy Gobert, who was earning $45 million per year, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They also traded three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ainge pulled off a monumental trade with the Mitchell deal. While most thought that the trade talks in Utah were going nowhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers swooped in and nabbed Mitchell. The Jazz clearly didn't lose that trade either. They got Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps in return.
Ainge discussed why he traded his two superstars during the offseason. He said:
"What I saw during the season was a group of players that really didn't believe in each other. But it was clear the team did not perform well in the playoffs again."
Windhorst detailed Ainge's approach:
"It really wasn't a surprise if you follow the Jazz last year, but the Jazz paid $19 million in luxury tax for this team last year."
He continued:
"This was a team that was expensive and just not very good. And what Danny Ainge said there, he didn't think that they were going to get any better, and however you want to describe it, their actions reflected that, and Danny Ainge backed that up today."
The Utah Jazz might finish at the bottom of the NBA standings this 2022-23 season
After a number of notable moves this offseason, it looks like the Jazz aren't going to be competing anytime soon. The team showed a ton of promise a few years ago, however, they couldn't get to the next level come playoff time.
The Jazz's roster has several young and developing players. Experienced players Bojan Bogdonavic, Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson are available for trade. With no stars and the arrival of a new head coach, the Jazz's path is obvious: tanking. The Western Conference is getting tougher, and Danny Ainge sees that the current roster is not strong to compete in the West.
Ainge, a master at improving his teams, has taken some big gambles. How soon will the Jazz be back competing for the NBA title again?