Brevin Knight for Jason Hart
No matter what you thought of him as a player, Jason Hart was a class act as a person. How many players, after all, would personally apologize to their general manager for not living up to the contract they signed on their way out of town?
Hart did just that, telling Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor that he was sorry for "not being able to play up to my capabilities." Talking about signing Hart, O'Connor said: "Do you wish it turned out better? Obviously. And so does he."
Hart also wished Ronnie Price well with Brevin Knight's arrival. Even though the two were competing for minutes, Hart was close friends with Price, dating to their years as teammates in Sacramento. Hart said he and Price had already talked Wednesday.
I'm not sure what role either Hart or Knight will have with their new teams. Hart will back up Baron Davis, with the Clippers counting on him to provide a defensive presence as well as insurance in case Davis is injured.
Hart credits Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy for jumpstarting his career once - - after Hart clashed with Eric Musselman in Sacramento and was released - - and was looking forward to playing for Dunleavy a second time.
The Jazz see at Knight as a player who could start if Deron Williams got hurt, although Williams has missed four games in three years. The question is what happens to Price, who deserved more minutes than he got last season in Jerry Sloan's opinion.
The most interesting thing about the trade, at least right now, are the implications for the Jazz as they decide about matching C.J. Miles' offer sheet from Oklahoma City. The Jazz save almost $900,000 between what they owed Hart and what Knight will make.
Both players have expiring contracts, so there are no savings beyond this season. The first three years of Miles' offer are guaranteed, with a fourth-year team option. If it was a close call before about matching, Wednesday's trade might have changed things.
Knight, meanwhile, was said to be enthusiastic about the move to Utah. He's played on playoff teams only twice in his 11-year career. His best season was probably with expansion Charlotte in 2004-05, when he averaged 12.3 points and 10.9 assists.
Knight's teammate with the Bobcats? None other than Jason Hart. It was Hart's decision to sign with the Jazz last summer that opened the door for Knight to sign with the Clippers. "It's crazy," Hart said of all the times their fortunes have been linked.
The biggest downside to Knight comes with his shooting. He's a career 41.5 percent shooter, which is actually worse than Hart, who is a 43.2 percent career shooter. Knight does compensate by being one of the NBA's least turnover-prone point guards.
--Ross Siler
Hart did just that, telling Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor that he was sorry for "not being able to play up to my capabilities." Talking about signing Hart, O'Connor said: "Do you wish it turned out better? Obviously. And so does he."
Hart also wished Ronnie Price well with Brevin Knight's arrival. Even though the two were competing for minutes, Hart was close friends with Price, dating to their years as teammates in Sacramento. Hart said he and Price had already talked Wednesday.
I'm not sure what role either Hart or Knight will have with their new teams. Hart will back up Baron Davis, with the Clippers counting on him to provide a defensive presence as well as insurance in case Davis is injured.
Hart credits Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy for jumpstarting his career once - - after Hart clashed with Eric Musselman in Sacramento and was released - - and was looking forward to playing for Dunleavy a second time.
The Jazz see at Knight as a player who could start if Deron Williams got hurt, although Williams has missed four games in three years. The question is what happens to Price, who deserved more minutes than he got last season in Jerry Sloan's opinion.
The most interesting thing about the trade, at least right now, are the implications for the Jazz as they decide about matching C.J. Miles' offer sheet from Oklahoma City. The Jazz save almost $900,000 between what they owed Hart and what Knight will make.
Both players have expiring contracts, so there are no savings beyond this season. The first three years of Miles' offer are guaranteed, with a fourth-year team option. If it was a close call before about matching, Wednesday's trade might have changed things.
Knight, meanwhile, was said to be enthusiastic about the move to Utah. He's played on playoff teams only twice in his 11-year career. His best season was probably with expansion Charlotte in 2004-05, when he averaged 12.3 points and 10.9 assists.
Knight's teammate with the Bobcats? None other than Jason Hart. It was Hart's decision to sign with the Jazz last summer that opened the door for Knight to sign with the Clippers. "It's crazy," Hart said of all the times their fortunes have been linked.
The biggest downside to Knight comes with his shooting. He's a career 41.5 percent shooter, which is actually worse than Hart, who is a 43.2 percent career shooter. Knight does compensate by being one of the NBA's least turnover-prone point guards.
--Ross Siler
8:12 PM
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