Utah Jazz: Jefferson believes Jazz should think ‘big’

Jazz notes » Team should keep all of its post players, he says.

By Steve Luhm

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published May 08 2012 04:46 pm • Last Updated Aug 28 2012 11:32 pm

If Al Jefferson were Utah’s general manager, he wouldn’t trade Al Jefferson — or any of the team’s other big men.

One day after San Antonio eliminated the Jazz from the playoffs, Jefferson said, "I’m here to do my job. It’s not my decision. But if I had my way, everybody would come back. We have a great group of guys."

The problem?

Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter and Jefferson create a logjam at center and power forward.

The Jazz hope Favors and Kanter become foundation-type players, so the question of trading Jefferson or Millsap will be raised during the offseason.

Jefferson thinks the Jazz should proceed with caution.

"In my opinion, you need bigs to win a championship," he said. "You need a lot of them."

Tremendous strides

Asked which player surprised him the most this season, coach Tyrone Corbin said Kanter, who did not play at Kentucky last year because of eligibility issues.

Still, the Jazz selected Kanter with the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft. He averaged 3.5 points and four rebounds in 33 games during his rookie season.

"I thought he made tremendous strides," Corbin said.

Besides not playing at Kentucky, Kanter did not benefit from a summer league or full training camp because of the lockout.

"It was really hard," he said, "because I couldn’t play the whole year last year. I just start playing in the NBA — with all the best players. It was tough for me because I was kind of rusty. But I feel next year will be so much better."

Kanter does not turn 20 until May 20. He will play in the Orlando Summer League in July. So will Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and Favors, according to GM Kevin O’Connor.

Howard, Tinsley want to return

The Jazz’s gamble to sign baggage-toting veterans Josh Howard and Jamaal Tinsley paid off this season.

Both played well. Neither was involved in any off-the-court controversy. Both would like to return.

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