Al Jefferson News

Former North Carolina forward Reggie Bullock is known for his shot and defense, but plans to provide more than just that at the next level.

The Jazz have six players under contract next year, with the assumption that Marvin Williams doesn't opt out, and all need to improve in an area to make allow the team to step into the playoffs.

Here in Jazzland, amid the search for signs of hope that the hometown franchise can return to a competitive playoff level after three disappointing seasons, the makeup of the NBA's conference semifinalists offers some encouragement.

Some big names will be unrestricted free agents this summer, including an NBA MVP candidate and a couple of dangerous big men.

He was once the centerpiece of a deal that started the KG era. Could he be the catalyst for the end of that same era? Like many Celtics fans, I hated seeing Al Jefferson go back in 2007.

On June 28th, 2005 the Blazers made their 3rd largest draft day mistake in their franchise's history by trading the 3rd pick in the draft to the Utah Jazz for picks that would ultimately become Martell Webster, Linas Kleiza and Joel Freeland.

The NBA draft is about two months away and that is the next big event for the Jazz to look towards.

So the playoffs are going on and they sure have been exciting. I mean they have been OMFG THIS IS THE MOST SPECTACULAR AMAZING AWESOME STUPENDOUS BASKETBALL EVER!! It's a shame they didn't allow a championship caliber team like the Utah Jazz in for this secluded basketball party of awesomeness.

After making the playoffs last year, it was supposed to be a year where the Utah Jazz took the next step.

You may have seen the discussion on twitter already, but our SBNation sister site for the New Jersey Nets ran a post a few days ago that basically insinuated that the Jazz lost on the Deron Williams trade and that we, as Jazz fans, were just starting to realize this.

Either we grab someone to babysit the 4 or we grab someone to hang on to the 4 spot for years to come .

The 2012-13 NBA season was a long one for fans of the Utah Jazz. Despite adding some new faces and maturing as a team, it wasn't enough to stave off an early vacation in late April.

The Jazz played their last game two weeks ago and there is time to remember the good times and the bad.

The Utah Jazz frontcourt is as crowded as Energy Solutions Arena is empty as this team watches the playoffs from their couches.

"As we are committed to a youth movement," Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, said in a statement, "this provides Glen the option of being able to be released from his contract in a time frame which allows him to quickly seek other options." The buyout, it is believed, saved the Jazz about $1 million - one ... (more)

Utah finished this season fighting for the eighth seed once again but ultimately fell short.

Sasha Pavlovic: a member of the original core 4. Not Pictured: Raul Lopez, Mo WIliams, Curtis Borchardt - USA TODAY Sports An in depth look at the historical precedence of the Utah Jazz rebuilding years, and what it might mean for the present.

Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz celebrates after banking in a shot at the end of the first quarter during NBA basketball in Salt Lake City, Friday, April 12, 2013.