In 10 months, Mitchell’s life has taken a 180-degree turn. For those following, his rise has become legendary as the subject of many profiles starting with a pre-draft workout at the Jazz practice facility last summer. “As you look back at it and say, ‘OK, you had an inkling of what he could do but we’re all surprised what he did,’” said Walt Perrin, Utah’s vice president of player personnel.
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Tony Jones: Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey to the Salt Lake Tribune on Kokoskov: We are so happy for Igor and his family. Igor is a man of integrity who has worked very hard at his craft. A good coach is immensely valuable in this business
The 25-year-old is thrilled that Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey didn’t choose to go the rebuilding route. They landed rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell in a draft-night trade with Denver, made key free agent signings and trades, continued to focus on player development, and now find themselves looking as dangerous as any team around. “Just try to teach players how to make winning plays, not only good basketball plays but winning plays,” Gobert said in explaining coach Quin Snyder’s system. “Teach every single one to help the team win games. A lot of teams are very good doing skill work, strength work. But if you want to win, you have to teach a player how to win. That's why I don't believe in tanking, all that stuff. I believe you learn how to win by winning. You don't learn how to win by losing on purpose to get a 19-year-old who you've never seen."
“We thought that Gordon Hayward would be back, and so when we introduced (Mitchell) to the team, we felt like he could be a little bit like George Hill, maybe a little like Dwyane Wade,” Dennis Lindsey explained. “And if all of our free agents stayed, then maybe his first season looks a little bit more like George Hill’s did in San Antonio when we took George (during Lindsey’s time there). But again, opportunity presented itself. Instead of trying to make him go through all the rookie rituals that traditionalists would put him through, let’s just embrace where he’s at and have him get better on the fly. We had a few thumbnails during the summer that (showed) maybe he could handle a few more possessions than we originally anticipated.”
New Knicks point guard Trey Burke, back in Utah where he was a celebrated 2013 lottery pick who didn’t pan out, said the Jazz drafting Dante Exum before his second NBA season ruined his psyche. Back at the arena in which he played his first three seasons, Burke reflected on his years in Utah. “Young Trey Burke was not all the way focused on basketball,’’ Burke said before the Knicks beat the Jazz 117-115. “Distractions going on in my life as a young player. “At the same time, I do feel I did a great job my rookie season. Second year, they drafted another point guard [Exum] — which kind of messed with my mind. It played with me a little bit. That’s where it went wrong. My rookie season the coach [Tyrone Corbin] gets fired. Going into the second year, it’s a whole new coaching staff to get used to. Sometimes it don’t work out.’’
Rudy Gobert: [When Gordon Hayward announced he was going to the Boston Celtics], I know it was hard for [Jazz general manager] Dennis Lindsey, because when he announced it, the biggest free agents were already gone. I know Danilo Gallinari signed the day before in LA, so it was frustrating... So we just said okay. We were here because of defense, so let's try and become an even better defensive team.
Jonathan Rinehart, a 12-year veteran of the Utah Jazz staff and most recently the vice president of communications, was named today as the team president of the Salt Lake City Stars, the NBA G League affiliate of the Jazz, announced Don Stirling, executive vice president of Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment. “As the Stars begin their second season in Salt Lake City, we are pleased to have Jonathan in a management role due to his extensive experience in the NBA and knowledge about the business and basketball sides of a franchise,” said Stirling. “This is a great opportunity in his taking the leadership reins for one of our growing properties that has a direct impact on the Jazz.”
Tony Jones: The Jazz have a verbal agreement to re-hire Justin Zanik in a front office role and to hire David Morway, sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune
Steve Kyler: Regarding Jazz news on front office - David Morway has been with the Jazz since well before the draft combine. Great hire.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Justin Zanik and David Morway are joining the Utah Jazz as top front office executives under GM Dennis Lindsey, league sources tell ESPN.
“What we’re going to face in the next series – what we just faced – these are major tests for us,” Lindsey told The Vertical. “I’m really happy for our fans. It’s a basketball state. Our arena – the way it’s built, the way our fans fill it – it’s really second to none. “Our team is fairly new to each other, but our fans like our guys. In a lot of ways, it’s Quin’s vision of the ball moving. It’s a team that’s easy for our fans to like. Our fans are sophisticated and judgmental. And I say that in a good way, because of the Karl [Malone] and John [Stockton] years. They want tough, smart, unselfish basketball. Quin’s put his twist on it – he’s delivered on those things.”
The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has promoted Richard Smith to executive director of international scouting and Bart Taylor to Jazz director of scouting/Salt Lake City Stars vice president of basketball operations. Additionally, the team announced the hiring of Nixon Dorvilien as director of rehabilitation. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were not announced
With the departure of assistant general manager Justin Zanik, who was hired late last month as the GM-in-waiting in Milwaukee, the Jazz are weighing options and plotting their course for replacing one of their top executives. Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said this weekend he has yet to speak directly with any candidates, nor is there a firm timeline in place for filling the vacancy, but the Jazz's front office boss does have some candidates in mind.
"We're not currently talking to anybody right now," Lindsey said. "But I am spending part of my day in diligence. I do know several candidates. I have worked with them, done deals with them. If we were to do something quick it would probably be based upon experience and familiarity. If we're looking at some of the younger talent out there, that may be more of a process." Lindsey said the Jazz could potentially get by without hiring a replacement for Zanik. The team did not have an assistant general manager before Zanik was hired almost three years ago, and Lindsey said he trusts the experience of front-office veterans Walt Perrin, Kevin O'Connor, David Fredman and Richard Smith.
