Wednesday, June 17, 2015

2015 Draft Preview: Utah Jazz

2015-16 Depth Chart 
PG: Dante Exum/Trey Burke/Bryce Cotten
SG: Alec Burks/Rodney Hood
SF: Gordon Heyward/Elijah Millsap/Chris Johnson
PF: Derrick Favors/Trevor Booker/Grant Jerrett
C: Rudy Gobert/Jack Cooley

2015 Free Agents
SG Joe Ingles (RFA)
F Jeremy Evans

2015 Draft Picks
1-12
2-12(42)
2-24(54) via Cleveland

Team Needs
Utah is in a great position, they are quite frankly stacked up and down their roster with young players who are good now and have plenty of room for growth still. If Utah has a need, it is for some depth and shooting in their frontcourt. There aren't many better 3-4-5 combinations in the league tha Gordon Heyward, Derrick Favors, and Rudy Gobert but behind them only Trevor Booker is a sure-fire contributor. Neither Favors nor Gobert is a threat from the perimeter, so finding a big that can space the floor and play alongside either starter would allow them to give more diverse looks and create space for their offense. If Utah does decide to look more at backcourt players, I'd expect them to target players who can make outside shots and move the ball, two tenants of coach Quinn Snyder's offense.

Potential Fits
This is probably the case with every team because what he offers is so valuable, but Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky would be ideal for this team. He could play next to both Gobert or Favors, space the floor and keep the ball moving. I could also see Utah going with upside and drafting Texas center Myles Turner; he will take longer than Kaminsky but has a higher defensive potential. Turner would absolutely be a luxury pick, but Utah needs depth at his positions and could use his jumper in short stretches off the bench as they bring him along slowly. Having three talented bigs is not a problem. As far as guards go, Kentucky's Devin Booker would be a logical fit; he can really shoot and is a smart player who will keep the ball moving. Because they have no glaring needs, Utah could also just draft whomever they believe is the best player regardless of position or look to trade the pick for a veteran. 

Mock Draft
12. Myles Turner, C, Texas
42. J.P. Tokoto, G/F North Carolina
54. Vince Hunter, PF, UTEP

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