Well, we signed our 23rd pick in the draft, Kosta Koufos, to the amount dictated by his draft position, and we get to watch him play in the Rocky Mountain Review. As young as he is, Kosta isn’t likely to be too impressive in his first Review. The Jazz are obviously hoping that they can bring him along and he can be a valuable player by the time he is needed.
With so many players still under contract, I still have to question Kevin O’Connor’s desire to keep the pick rather than to sell it or trade it for a future pick. They might arguably enter the luxury tax starting next year if the contracts of Boozer, Okur, Millsap, etc require it to keep them in the fold. Nobody would have faulted Larry H. Miller for setting aside a little money now for that possibility, especially with a full roster already under contract and only a single player as a free agent — and a restricted one at that.
Add to that the fact that a first round player is guaranteed millions over the next three years, plus likely team options, and you’ve got to wonder if there are some more seasoned free agents who might have been better prepared to help out than what was available with the 23rd pick in the draft.
And it isn’t like the Jazz are an older team who need a little youth. Is Kosta really the answer for the future, especially with a host of other young players filling out rather nicely on the Jazz roster?
I certainly hope so because I’d hate to give up Okur or Boozer for the slim possibility that Kosta might be the next Okur.