If the Warriors Don't Keep Their Lottery Pick, and the Jazz Get Steve Nash, Utah Could Be a Contender Next Season
By Jason McIntyre
The Heat would love to rent a point guard. Dallas, if it doesn’t get Deron Williams, would be thrilled to have Nash back. And the Lakers – despite the acquisition of Sessions and the occasionally-strong play of Steve Blake – would welcome the future Hall of Famer with open arms.
But what about the Jazz, the team that just ended Phoenix’s season?
Utah’s got a young, bruising frontline (Jefferson, Favors & Millsap, plus young Enes Kanter) and G/F Gordon Hayward had a strong sophomore season. What they’re missing is a veteran point guard. Devin Harris has struggled with injuries the last few years, and this season his point (11.5) and assist (5.1) averages were the lowest they’ve been since he was a young reserve in Dallas.
Let’s say the Jazz play San Antonio tough in the first round and win two games. And let’s say the Jazz get the Warriors’ lottery pick, and have the 8th pick in a loaded draft. Does Utah suddenly become attractive to Steve Nash?
How good of an offseason would it be to draft Austin Rivers or Jeremy Lamb or Terrence Jones in the lottery, and then acquire Steve Nash? Could the Jazz be a Top 4 team in the West next year (OKC, Lakers, Clippers)?
Hope the Magic are taking notes. Once the Jazz realized Deron Williams wasn’t going to sign there long-term, they found a desperate team and shipped him out of town. Perhaps the future is bright in Utah?