The Utah Jazz, led by executive Danny Ainge, are poised for significant changes in the upcoming offseason. With $40 million in cap space and a top-10 draft pick, the team aims to enhance its roster to improve from their current 23rd ranking in the NBA. Ainge expressed a strategic focus on acquiring a couple of key players, emphasizing the team's readiness to make substantial moves, often referring to it as 'big game hunting'. He also highlighted the importance of not rushing the process or making hasty decisions that could lead to short-term improvements at the cost of long-term success. Ainge mentioned the team's interest in signing young, capable veterans and potentially extending Lauri Markkanen's contract, noting Markkanen's strong performance. Furthermore, Ainge acknowledged the challenges of the upcoming NBA draft but remained optimistic about securing talented players. Additionally, Ainge discussed plans for Walker Kessler to play in the summer league and clarified that the team is not interested in 'dinosaurs' but rather in players with about six to seven years of experience. He also commented on Keyonte George's potential role, suggesting he could play alongside another point guard.
In his end-of-season press conference, Danny Ainge said the @utahjazz are ready to go "big game hunting." "Our objective is to find a player or two, and weβre ready to roll.β #takenote https://t.co/1ghjXcD22u
Danny Ainge says the Jazz are ready to make a big splash this summer "We're ready to go big game hunting." π (Via @andyblarsen ) https://t.co/wCwamCw9t8
Danny Ainge on the age of free agents the @utahjazz would pursue: "We're not really interested in dinosaurs. We're interested in like good six or seven year [veterans], that those are good players."
Danny Ainge on the 2024 NBA Draft: "There are a few to a handful of players that I really like at eight. I have no idea if they'll be there."
Danny Ainge also said the Jazz are planning on having Walker Kessler play summer league
Danny Ainge on the @utahjazz team building plan: "Everybody wants this plan, including Ryan [Smith]. Ryan loves a plan, he's a tech guy, he's got a plan. I wish basketball worked that way.
Danny Ainge on the @utahjazz defensive issues: "We all know that defensively we're not good enough. No question about it. We need to get better personnel and more of an emphasis."
Danny Ainge on Keyonte George's future role with the @utahjazz: "I'm still not sure he's a franchise point guard. I think he can play point guard but I think that he can play with another guard playing the point he can play off the ball."
Danny Ainge on the @utahjazz team building plan: "There's no guarantee that everything we're doing is 100% right, but we feel like we have a very good plan, and good group to accomplish our goals."
Danny Ainge on the @utahjazz offseason plan to sign Lauri Markkanen to a contract extension: "I just prefer not to talk about that but I mean I think it's pretty clear that Markkanen is a very good player. We love them. We'd like to have him."
Danny Ainge on how the @utahjazz plan to build a winning team: "Our objective is to find a player or two and we're ready to roll. We're ready to go big game hunting."
"We don't want to panic. We don't want to go from the 23rd best team to the worst in the NBA; to the 18th best by giving up a bunch of things either." - @utahjazz' Danny Ainge. "Our objective is longevity and good quality moving forward." #TakeNote | @KUTV2News https://t.co/nveLfmNeHD
Danny Ainge on the @utahjazz youth next year: "What we're trying to keep is our flexibility and options open. Our plan is not to come to our training camp with six kids under 20 years old. That's not a real good option for anybody."
Danny Ainge on the NBA Draft for the @utahjazz: "It's harder to find franchise altering players in this draft than some drafts [...] But I do believe that we'll be able to find some good players in this draft."
Danny Ainge says this is a unique draft in that it's harder to identify the great players, but that he is confident the Jazz can find those players
Danny Ainge: We want good players. We want a team that is better than the 23rd ranked team in the NBA...... This presser is off to a roaring start
Utah Jazz exec Danny Ainge's press conference starts NOW!!!!!!!
With $40 million in cap space and a top-10 draft pick, the @utahjazz have several pathways to improve this offseason. #TakeNote https://t.co/BPIQ5rFiWO