This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A year ago, Dennis Lindsey began negotiating with Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward on contract extensions. Favors came away with an extension before the season started. Hayward went into restricted free agency, where he garnered a max contract. Now, Lindsey is faced with the same decisions on Alec Burks and Enes Kanter. The Jazz General Manager is expected to open negotiating windows with both parties in the next week, or so. The Jazz have until the end of the preseason to either strike a deal, or let the two play out the remaining season of their respective rookie contracts. Will they both reach extension agreements? Will one? Will both head into next summer on the market? That remains to be seen. But if the two aren't extended, this will be an interesting season for both. There is little doubt that Kanter can score and rebound. The 6-foot-10 power forward will have to prove - however - that he can fit into Quin Snyder's system as a stretch power forward. Kanter has played much of his career in the low post. This season, he's as apt to find himself at the top of the key as he is on the interior. Burks will have to prove that he can play within the realms of a starting five. In the past, he's come off Ty Corbin's bench and been told to focus on scoring and little else. This year, he will have to score, as well as create for himself and others. Still, Burks is as good a candidate as any on this roster to experience a breakout season. Snyder's system seems to be a good fit for his ability to create off the dribble and to get into the lane and score. Most importantly, Burks gets to the free-throw line. The next few weeks concerning both should be intriguing. Will the two be locked up by the organization for years to come? Or will they enter what amounts to be a contract year?
Tony Jones