Utah Jazz Examiner

I have a new position as a Utah Jazz writer for Examiner.com.  It pays a tiny bit, so any Jazz-related news I feel like writing about will go there.

My first article here, on the signing of Randy Foye.

The NBA Offseason: Cleveland

2012 Picks: (4) Dion Waiters, (17) Tyler Zeller

2011 Picks: (1) Kyrie Irving, (4) Tristan Thompson, (32) Justin Harper

PG - Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gibson
SG - Alonzo Gee, Dion Waiters
SF - Omri Casspi, Luke Harangody, Luke Watson
PF - Tristan Thompson, Samardo Samuels
C - Anderson Varejao, Tyler Zeller

Not much buzz on the free-agent front yet. It makes me wonder if they see this year as another development year, and then they make a splash next year in free agency and shoot for the playoffs.  Cap space is a valuable thing, and they'll be thrilled when Luke Walton's off their books.

The NBA Offseason: Chicago

2012 Picks: (29) Marquis Teague
2011 Picks: (30) Jimmy Butler, (43) Malcolm Lee

PG - Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, Marquis Teague
SG - Richard Hamilton, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver
SF - Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler
PF - Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson
C - Joakim Noah

It looks doubtful that Chicago will be able to keep Omer Asik. Some of this summer's free-agent signings make you wonder why they had the lockout in the first place, since owners and GMs can't help but throw too much money at free agents.

I haven't heard yet if the Bulls have picked up their options on Brewer or Korver, but I would think at least one of them will be dropped. The like Korver for his ability to spread the floor and make those 3's, but he's a liability on defense. Brewer's one of their better wing defenders, but he can't shoot from outside, and he's a poor free-throw shooter (56% last year). The Bulls are trying to see if they can get Courtney Lee, but with the recent addition of Kirk Hinrich, CJ Watson will likely not be back.

The NBA Offseason: Charlotte

CHARLOTTE

2012 Picks: (2) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, (31) Jeffrey Taylor
2011 Picks: (7) Bismack Biyombo, (9) Kemba Walker, (39) Jeremy Tyler

PG - DJ Augustin, Kemba Walker
SG - Ben Gordon, Gerald Henderson, Matt Carroll, Reggie Williams,
SF - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Derrick Brown, Jeffrey Taylor
PF - Tyrus Thomas
C - Bismack Biyombo, BJ Mullens, DeSagana Diop

After the worst season in NBA history, the Bobcats have some work to do. The bright side for them is they had a good draft and now Walker and Biyombo will have an off-season to improve. The Cats have some room for free-agency moves, and they need another big man, but they'll have a ton of space next year, and with one or two first-round picks next year as well, it seems like 2012 is their year to not be the worst, and then 2013 will be their playoff push.

The NBA Offseason: Brooklyn

2012 Picks: (41) Tyshawn Taylor, (54) Tornike Shengelia, (57) Ilkan Karaman
2011 Picks: (25) Marshon Brooks, (36) Jordan Williams

PG - Deron Williams, Tyshawn Taylor
SG - Joe Johnson, Marshon Brooks
SF - Gerald Wallace
PF - Kris Humphries, Reggie Evans
C - Brook Lopez

Things are looking up for Jay-Z's team.  Deron Williams signed the big contract, they got Joe Johnson, and now there's still a decent chance they get Dwight Howard, since Dwight's making sure all other teams understand he won't re-sign with them.  They overpaid to keep Wallace, but this roster is already good enough to make the playoffs.