Although not official, it appears that the Minnesota Timberwolves will trade PF Al Jefferson to the Jazz in exchange for the massive trade exception created by Carlos Boozer signing with the Chicago Bulls and some draft picks.
Al Jefferson should fit in nicely with the Jazz as the replacement for Carlos Boozer, who signed with the Bulls for 5 years and $76 million. Statistically, Jefferson had a down year last season, but this decrease in productivity can be attributed to a new coach (Kurt Rambis), a new offensive system (the triangle), and the worst GM in the NBA, David Kahn (above). Just two seasons ago, Jefferson averaged 23 points and 10 boards a game and was putting up 25 and 15 in the 6 games before his season ending knee injury. It's hard to fathom that the centerpiece to the Kevin Garnett trade is now being moved for just cap space and draft picks. There are only so many low post players with good footwork and a wide array of moves, and Jefferson is one of them. However, Jefferson's vacancy will finally allow the promising Kevin Love to get starter minutes. If Minnesota can find an athletic, shot blocking C, they could be in business.
In Utah, this will be Jefferson's first opportunity to play with an elite point guard -- Deron Williams and should put up similar numbers to what Carlos Boozer averaged (20-10). Overall, this trade certainly improves the Jazz but does not propel them into "contender" status. Utah lost 3-point specialist Kyle Korver earlier this month and will struggle to space the floor with the likes of C.J. Miles and Andrei Kirilenko playing the 3, rookie Gordon Hayward developing his outside stroke, and Mehmet Okur recovering from a torn achilles.
In David Kahn and the T-Wolves' second big move of the day, PG Luke Ridnour is close to signing a 4 year, $16 million contract. This move is baffling considering Kahn drafted two PGs in the lottery a year ago in Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio and just two years ago signed backup PG Ramon Sessions to the exact same contract Ridnour is about to sign. I don't get it. Minnesota fans can't be happy that their team is going to pay their backup PG and backup C (the infamous Darko Milicic) a combined $10 million a year for the next 4 years.
