Former Jazz player and Analyst dismisses alarming choice of pursuing…

Danny Ainge is eager to make significant moves this offseason, aiming to secure top-tier players to enhance the team’s performance and elevate them to playoff contention. While this approach has garnered widespread support, Utah Jazz broadcast analyst Thurl Bailey holds a different perspective. In a recent discussion with Bill Reily on ESPN 92.1, Bailey countered Ainge’s stance, advocating for a focus on coachable, young stars instead of pursuing veteran players.

 

“As I observe the playoffs, I’m noticing the current trends. It seems that older veterans and superstars are not in vogue if you’re aiming for a championship before their prime ends. Instead, the focus is shifting towards highly skilled young players who are still developing, possess strong coachability, and excel on both offense and defense, particularly on the defensive end.”

 

While Thurl Bailey’s perspective may temper our excitement, it holds merit. Recent trends show that older players aren’t dominating in championship victories, with LeBron James’ 2020 win being an exception that some consider a fluke. Typically, it’s the younger, emerging talents who lead their teams to success. Even though players like James and Curry secured titles earlier in their careers, they were still relatively young at the time.

We align with Bailey’s advice to steer clear of aging veterans, although we’re not necessarily advocating for acquiring veterans past their prime, except for perhaps Kevin Durant. The preferred choice among fans is someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s still in his prime.

 

Most of the desired players are under 30, aligning with our goal to pair someone with Lauri Markkanen to synchronize timelines. While Durant remains a formidable veteran, the pool of viable trade targets over 30 is slim. Thus, we both agree and disagree with Bailey on this matter.