Today the Utah Jazz traded Memo Okur to the New Jersey Nets for a 2nd round draft pick and a trade exception. The Jazz made this trade for both numerous reasons.
From a pure money standpoint it saves 10.5 million dollars this season for the Utah Jazz.
From a flexibility standpoint, it opens up the Jazz to numerous moves across the NBA. The Jazz now sit around 51 million of salary cap allowing them to sign a free agent, re-sign Andrei Kirilenko without any threat of going over luxury tax at 70 million.
From a basketball standpoint this opens up playing time for both Derek Favors and Enes Kanter. The Jazz had five viable options in the front court and that was going to make it too difficult for Tyrone Corbin to manage the minutes.
Finally, it is not clear at all that Memo Okur can still play at an NBA level. From all indications, Memo had a great training camp but at the scrimmage and the first pre-season game he did not look good at all. He looked slow and didn’t seem in the flow. Last night, he looked better, but one point in the broadcast I asked Ron Boone if thought he was moving correctly.
I sincerely hope Memo can play and be productive. The Nets need him badly after the injury to Brook Lopez and it is a great chance for Memo to establish himself again. He has worked diligently and got himself back to play at a near NBA level.
I must tell you that Memo is a wonderful man. One of the last memories of Memo will be last Saturday before the scrimmage when he was on the bench with his two kids. He was as happy as any man could be. He is ultimate pro. He has a tremendous sense of humor. His wit was cutting and kind at the same time. He is fiercely competitive. He took the most minor slight as a challenge and usually answered.
The franchise changed the day Memo tore his Achilles tendon . Every event since ties back to that night. Today is yet another one of those moments.
Collapse this postFrom a pure money standpoint it saves 10.5 million dollars this season for the Utah Jazz.
From a flexibility standpoint, it opens up the Jazz to numerous moves across the NBA. The Jazz now sit around 51 million of salary cap allowing them to sign a free agent, re-sign Andrei Kirilenko without any threat of going over luxury tax at 70 million.
From a basketball standpoint this opens up playing time for both Derek Favors and Enes Kanter. The Jazz had five viable options in the front court and that was going to make it too difficult for Tyrone Corbin to manage the minutes.
Finally, it is not clear at all that Memo Okur can still play at an NBA level. From all indications, Memo had a great training camp but at the scrimmage and the first pre-season game he did not look good at all. He looked slow and didn’t seem in the flow. Last night, he looked better, but one point in the broadcast I asked Ron Boone if thought he was moving correctly.
I sincerely hope Memo can play and be productive. The Nets need him badly after the injury to Brook Lopez and it is a great chance for Memo to establish himself again. He has worked diligently and got himself back to play at a near NBA level.
I must tell you that Memo is a wonderful man. One of the last memories of Memo will be last Saturday before the scrimmage when he was on the bench with his two kids. He was as happy as any man could be. He is ultimate pro. He has a tremendous sense of humor. His wit was cutting and kind at the same time. He is fiercely competitive. He took the most minor slight as a challenge and usually answered.
The franchise changed the day Memo tore his Achilles tendon . Every event since ties back to that night. Today is yet another one of those moments.
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