Best/Worst Draft Scenarios
(#12 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting PF/C Myles Turner (Texas, Freshman)
The Jazz, after dealing away C Enes Kanter a the deadline for another first-rounder, need to grab a big body down low at number 12. No matter how promising the young frontcourt duo of PF/C Derrick favors and C Rudy Gobert looked, there is little depth behind them and Gobert is still relatively unproven, so drafting a big man is a must. The Jazz can go several ways here: I’m sure Frank Kaminsky will get a look should he be available, as will Trey Lyles, but none have more upside than Texas’ Myles Turner. Turner is a rare breed -- he can defend the rim and block shots (an outstanding 2.6 per game) and stretch the defense with a rapidly developing midrange and three-point game. A solid rebounder as well, Turner grabbed 6.5 per game as well as shooting 45.5% from the field and an extremely impressive 84% from the charity stripe. He’s not as great of a scorer down-low as you would like (10 ppg), but that’s not what Utah needs him to do anyways. He will take some time to develop, but the Jazz don’t need him to come in and start right away. Instead, they have the luxury of grooming him on the bench for a couple years and to later reap the rewards for their patience.
Worst Case Scenario: Not drafting a big man
It’s easy for the Jazz to see the success that the Favors and Gobert duo had after Kanter was traded last season, and perhaps look elsewhere in the draft. Utah has selected points guards with their past two picks -- Trey Burke and Dante Exum. It’s quite possible that they can see the slightly disappointing production from these two, and make a horrible mistake of taking a point guard: Cameron Payne, Jerian Grant, or Tyus Jones. On the other hand, Utah could also look to the wing, decide that SF Rodney Hood, SG Alec Burks, and others just aren’t getting it done as star SG/SF Gordon Hayward shuffles from both spots, and take another wing player: Kelly Oubre Jr. or Devin Booker, for instance. This would also be a mistake, as there is more than enough depth on the wing surrounding Hayward. Where there is not enough depth, however, is up front, and the Jazz must change that. Whether it’s Turner, or even someone like Trey Lyles, Frank Kaminsky, or Bobby Portis, adding an extra body off the bench is a must for Utah in this draft.
(#12 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting PF/C Myles Turner (Texas, Freshman)
The Jazz, after dealing away C Enes Kanter a the deadline for another first-rounder, need to grab a big body down low at number 12. No matter how promising the young frontcourt duo of PF/C Derrick favors and C Rudy Gobert looked, there is little depth behind them and Gobert is still relatively unproven, so drafting a big man is a must. The Jazz can go several ways here: I’m sure Frank Kaminsky will get a look should he be available, as will Trey Lyles, but none have more upside than Texas’ Myles Turner. Turner is a rare breed -- he can defend the rim and block shots (an outstanding 2.6 per game) and stretch the defense with a rapidly developing midrange and three-point game. A solid rebounder as well, Turner grabbed 6.5 per game as well as shooting 45.5% from the field and an extremely impressive 84% from the charity stripe. He’s not as great of a scorer down-low as you would like (10 ppg), but that’s not what Utah needs him to do anyways. He will take some time to develop, but the Jazz don’t need him to come in and start right away. Instead, they have the luxury of grooming him on the bench for a couple years and to later reap the rewards for their patience.
Worst Case Scenario: Not drafting a big man
It’s easy for the Jazz to see the success that the Favors and Gobert duo had after Kanter was traded last season, and perhaps look elsewhere in the draft. Utah has selected points guards with their past two picks -- Trey Burke and Dante Exum. It’s quite possible that they can see the slightly disappointing production from these two, and make a horrible mistake of taking a point guard: Cameron Payne, Jerian Grant, or Tyus Jones. On the other hand, Utah could also look to the wing, decide that SF Rodney Hood, SG Alec Burks, and others just aren’t getting it done as star SG/SF Gordon Hayward shuffles from both spots, and take another wing player: Kelly Oubre Jr. or Devin Booker, for instance. This would also be a mistake, as there is more than enough depth on the wing surrounding Hayward. Where there is not enough depth, however, is up front, and the Jazz must change that. Whether it’s Turner, or even someone like Trey Lyles, Frank Kaminsky, or Bobby Portis, adding an extra body off the bench is a must for Utah in this draft.