She's Having the Lobster? I'll Just Have Water.

Written by Zach Harper | 28 December 2009

I was perusing basketball blogs – as I’ve been known to do from minute to minute – and I came across a letter from Greg Miller (Utah Jazz CEO) to the season ticket holders via SLC Dunk.

It was passed out in response to the Jazz trading Eric Maynor and an NBATV studio analyst to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the rights to Peter Fehse, who I believe is a German delicacy similar to Schnitzels and Bavarian Crème-filled anythings.

First, check out the letter:

December 23, 2009

Dear Jazz Season Ticket Holder:

As a follow-up to yesterday’s trade, I want to personally let you know why we made the decision we did as we value your commitment to the Jazz.

1. Fact: I want the Utah Jazz to win.

2. Fact: The Jazz need to be financially viable in the long run.

3. Fact: Unfortunately, due to Matt Harpring’s numerous injuries, he is unable to play. This means the Jazz is paying $13 million (salary and luxury tax) and getting nothing in return.

4. Fact: I am not happy about trading Eric Maynor.

The genesis of yesterday’s trade began last summer when Boozer, Okur and Korver all exercised their option to continue to play for the Utah Jazz. I was surprised, but happy when all three were back on our roster at the start of this season.

Portland then made their run at Millsap in the late summer. As a franchise, we believe in Paul and hope he has a long and prosperous career with the Utah Jazz. Because of this, I felt strongly that we needed to make an unprecedented move to match Portland’s offer and keep Paul here. Doing this meant for the first time in franchise history, the Jazz entered the luxury tax realm. To me the reason for this is obvious: Millsap can help us win.

It is important to note that from a financial standpoint this is a double negative—first because we have to pay one dollar of luxury tax for every dollar of player salary over the luxury tax threshold and second, because the teams that pay luxury tax forfeit their ability to collect their share of the tax paid by teams over the limit.

We entered the season committed to an all-time-high salary expense. We did it with our eyes wide open. I don’t mind paying the luxury tax for healthy players that can help us win, but it is very difficult for me to pay the money and not have the benefit of a player’s services. The trade with Oklahoma City resolved this concern.

Having the league’s premier point guard in Deron Williams, and a veteran backup in Ronnie Price, took some of the sting out of this decision.

Again, I am not happy about trading Eric Maynor away and truly wish him the best going forward.

I appreciate the years Matt Harpring played with the Jazz. His toughness and work ethic are consistent with the values of this organization. Matt will always be part of the Jazz family.

My family and I appreciate your continued support of the Jazz and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

Greg Miller

CEO

I think my favorite part of the letter was definitely the line talking about how he was surprised “but happy” that Boozer, Okur, and Korver exercised their option. It seemed like a weird and unnecessary element to addressing the issue. He’s essentially blaming the fact that they traded their rookie backup point guard who will never be a starter for the Jazz as long as Deron Williams is alive on three players staying with the team. I feel like the Okur and Korver mentions were probably sincere but I’m sure the Boozer mention wasn’t.

They know Carlos Boozer isn’t in their long-term plans. If they could trade him away for either salary relief, draft picks or a player that can contribute for them at a fairly high level, he’d probably be gone. No one wants to put their trust in Carlos Boozer, his hamstrings or his agent.

Here is my problem with the letter though and more importantly the reasoning given in the letter:

Um… if you don’t mind paying the luxury tax for healthy players that can help you win… and Matt Harpring isn’t a player that meets that criteria because his career is over due to injury… then why didn’t you trade Harpring and his insurance-covered, expiring contract away for a player that IS healthy and CAN help you win???

I think Jazz fans appreciate you addressing the financial concerns and that it was the reason for the trade. People love honesty. But you should have just told them you decided paying the luxury tax wasn’t worth it this season because you realize your team is going only as far as Carlos Boozer’s contract season effort will take you. Tell them you realized you had no chance to compete for a title so you wanted to save yourself some money.

That’s honest. What you said was insulting to the intelligence of Jazz fans everywhere.

Congratulations, Oklahoma City. You've fleeced another one.