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SALT LAKE CITY — It's just about time to let the now-hibernating Jazz lie, but not quite yet!
The players are scattering, returning to their homes and taking a break from the game. Gordon Hayward has returned to Brownsburg, Ind., to decompress at his home with his friends and family.
While the players "play around," it's serious go-time for the player evaluators, who are responsible for scouting college and professional players. These evaluators with the management team continue to drill down on possible fits for the team, through the draft and free agency.
By most accounts, the free-agent crop this season is relatively thin, and no doubt the Jazz have several players — Mo Williams, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Randy Foye, DeMarre Carroll — who might draw attention from other teams.
#poll
The team does have assets in the draft as well. The Jazz are in the lottery after failing to make the playoffs but are slated, at the moment, to own the No. 14 pick, as well as the No. 21 from Golden State, in the first round of the NBA draft.
It would appear that the team has an interesting challenge ahead — building a whole new roster. The front office will have to decide how much money to spend on free agents. Jazz leadership may not want to load up for this season on expensive free agents since they really can't commit major long-term money yet.
Looking past the next season, Favors and Hayward will be at the end of their contracts and will want to cash in on a new deal. Both would seem to be positioned for a deal in the four-year, $40 million range. Similar deals have been given out recently to Ty Lawson of the Nuggets, Steph Curry of the Warriors and DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers.
With the sage and shrewd Jazz VP emeritus Kevin O'Connor working closely with new general manager Dennis Lindsey, fans might benefit from studying how the San Antonio Spurs continue to build around aging players while continuing to win.
Jazz Rewind: A look back at the 2012-13 season
The season ended in disappointment for the Utah Jazz but that doesn't mean there was a shortage of great highlights and memorable moments. You can relive all the best moments of the 2012-13 season by watching the Jazz Rewind.The Spurs do not make big splashes in free agency, occasionally cashing in on homegrown talent — turning George Hill into Kawhi Leonard, for example — while making wise decisions in the draft.
My point is this may not be the summer during which a Jazz team that can contend for a NBA Finals ring is baked and delivered on the front steps of EnergySolutions Arena. The team has the asset of time on its side. It is mind-boggling when the age of the team's core is considered, with Hayward (23), Favors (21), Burks (21) and Kanter (20) still developing and maturing.
The moral of this Tomversation is that team building is often a painstakingly slow and inexact science.
Then again, for O'Connor and Lindsey, what more could you ask for? They have an opportunity to sculpt a team built to last and win championships in the future. They have a solid foundation, draft picks, cap space and a patient ownership, all essential ingredients in the recipe for winning and becoming a successful basketball franchise.
The bad news is that in this instant-gratification world, with Instagram and Twitter sharing news around the globe in real time, the fans want to see the tides of change sooner rather than later. The tides of change may take some time, leaving fans wondering when the waves will crash and bring victory.
How long until "surf's up" along the Great Salt Lake?
Clearly I need a tropical vacation....
Hunt me @tksportsbeat. If you need more than 140 characters tom.kirkland@ksl.com
