Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The trade deadline draws closer and closer and the Jazz's strengths and weaknesses are becoming more clear. They are still without a star and need shooting. Could the fix for both be Celtics star Paul Pierce?
If the Jazz are in a true win-now mode then they could look at making a big splash in the trade market. This is no secret, but with the recent injury to Rajon Rondo of the Celtics some new options might be present.
#poll
There is a lot of talk going on about what the Celtics can do to get back into the race or build for the future and the Jazz are getting some news with it. The most notable is Pierce, nicknamed "The Truth," coming to Utah in any number of scenarios.
In ESPN's "5-on-5" there is a discussion about where Pierce could land if the Celtics choose to blow up their core and look for the future. Two of the bloggers, Andrew Han of ClipperBlog and Curtis Harris of Hardwood Parosyxm, talked about Pierce joining the Jazz as the best trade possible.
The trades are looked at to benefit the Celtics, so they are more looked at in that light.
"Pierce to the Jazz for Al Jefferson and a first-round pick (lower of two available)," wrote Han. "Boston moves some long-term money and pairs Garnett with another legitimate low-post big man in Jefferson, the former Celtic who was once traded for Garnett. Not only do the Celtics plan for the future with a first-round pick, this trade also gives them a stylistic advantage in the smaller East."
This idea is added upon by a Bleacher Report article by Andrew Sweat. It digs in a little more about why it would help the Jazz.
"With a starting five of a healthy Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Paul Pierce, Paul Millsap, and Derrick Favors with Gordon Hayward coming off the bench, the 24-21 Jazz could make some noise in the playoffs for the next two years of Paul Pierce's current contract."
The logjam upfront would go away. Millsap and Favors would start and Kanter the main off the bench. The new logjam becomes at the wing. Where they would have Pierce, Hayward, Foye, Alec Burks, DeMarre Carroll and Marvin Williams. Williams would probably play more backup power forward which might fix that again.
The other idea from Harris is this, "Paul Pierce to Jazz for Paul Millsap and Marvin Williams."
Harris wrote, "the Celtics get Pierce's temporary replacement in Williams and a stud power forward in Millsap. Pierce would give the Jazz a much-needed 3-point shooter while moving Millsap clears up their logjam at power forward."
This would give the Jazz a starting line of Mo Williams, or whatever healthy point guard the Jazz have, Foye, Pierce, Favors and Jefferson. Replacing Marvin with Pierce would give the Jazz another 10 points per game at the small forward. While replacing Millsap with Favors gives the Jazz length and a better defender to help with Jefferson's lack of defense.
The other issue that needs to be looked at is the point guard position. With Mo Williams' thumb injury and Earl Watson's stress fracture the Jazz are down to one healthy point guard, Jamaal Tinsley. If the Jazz traded two for one, as the Millsap trade would require, they could sign another player. But, even if no one else gets signed a line of Foye, Hayward, once healthy, and Pierce would be adequate to control the ball.
A late game lineup of Foye, Hayward, Pierce, Favors and Jefferson would give the Jazz a deadly group. Pierce would be the "worst" 3-point shooter in the back, this season shooting 35.5 percent but for his career just under 37.
