Current Roster
PG: Ricky Rubio/Dante Exum/Raul Neto/Nigel Williams-Goss
SG: Alec Burks/Donovan Mitchell
SF: Rodney Hood/Joe Johnson
PF: Derrick Favors/Joel Bolomboy
C: Rudy Gobert/Tony Bradley
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
F Gordon Heyward
G George Hill
C Jeff Withey
G Shelvin Mack
Restricted
G Joe Ingles
Who They Drafted
1-12 Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG Louisville2
1-25 Tony Bradley, C North Carolina
2-55 Nigel Williams-Goss, PG Gonzaga
The Jazz traded up, using their own pick and Trey Lyles to get Louisville's Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is a super-athletic combo guard that makes up for a lack of size with tremendous length. Early in his career, Mitchell was slasher, a shot-creator who aggressively tried to get to the rim, a skill he still has. Where he improved as a Sophomore, and what got him on NBA radars as a lottery pick, is an improved jumpshot. That jumper, which is still developing, is crucial to his game and will make or break his status in the NBA, as it will open up his dribble-drive game and bring more offensive balance to his team. Defensively, Mitchell is best guarding on the ball and can really be excellent in that area, however he'll need to get better off the ball, staying locked in. The Jazz will use Mitchell in both guard spots off the bench, a sub that can score and defend and most close games in the future at either spot, depending on the matchup.
With their remaining first round pick, the Jazz drafted Tony Bradley, a throwback-style center that plays below the rim and eats up rebounds, particularly offensively (Bradley posted an absured 18.7% offensive rebound rate, which would be the best number in the NBA by over a percentage point and a half) but there are questions about what else he can do. Despite being a poor athlete, Bradley has size and length to finish inside, though he may struggle against bigger NBA centers. Other than that, he doesn't have a ton of moves or range and doesn't move well on the perimeter and though he can block some shot due to his length, doesn't project to be a great rim protector. Just 19, Bradley has a lot of developing to do and if he can improve his body or get more skilled, then he could be a valuable backup, mostly due to the fact that he can offensive rebound so well.
Late in the second round the Jazz took an experienced point guard who was one of the most efficient players in college basketball last season. Nigel Williams-Goss, a high level recuit who transfered from Gonzaga, is similar to Utah's second rounder last season, Marcus Paige, in that he is a well-rounded point guard that doesn't have one real standout asset. He could probably do a good job in spot duty but lacks any real upside. He'll probably share time in the G-League with Paige until needed.
What They Need Going Forward
The Jazz need to do whatever they can to bring back Gordon Heyward, it has to be their number one priority, as it will bring the Jazz from surefire playoff team to fringes of making it. If they get Heyward back, the Jazz are pretty much set. If they lose Heyward they will then have to pivot to making sure they don't lose Joe Ingles and then go from their, deciding whether they want to do a soft rebuild or try to keep contending, perhaps moving their assets for a low level star or clearing the room for a Danilo Gallinari-level player.
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Showing posts with label utah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label utah. Show all posts
Friday, June 30, 2017
Friday, July 3, 2015
2015 Draft Review: Utah Jazz
PG: Dante Exum/Trey Burke/Bryce Cotten
SG: Alec Burks/Rodney Hood/Olivier Hanlan
SF: Gordon Heyward/Elijah Millsap/Chris Johnson
PF: Derrick Favors/Trevor Booker/Grant Jerrett
C: Rudy Gobert/Trey Lyles/Jack Cooley
2015 Free Agents
SG Joe Ingles (RFA)
F Jeremy Evans
What They Did On Draft Night
Drafted Kentucky power forward Trey Lyles 11th overall
Considering how much depth and talent Utah has on its roster, taking a shot on a developmental player like Trey Lyes make sense. Lyles isn't a raw player at all, he just needs some time to iron-out the inconsistencies in his game, time he should be able to get in Utah. The Jazz said they envision Lyles as a stretch-four, which is ironic considering right now he is most effective posting-up, moving off the ball, and diving to the basket. Shooting is the lynchpin to Lyles game, his stroke looks very good, but the results were poor during his one season at Kentucky. In high school he shot very well up to 17-feet, but there is no guarantee that the shot develops, leaving the Jazz with a crafty but limited scorer without the athleticism to be an above-average defender. That's not a great return from a lottery pick. However, Utah has done well with all their young players in recent years and Lyles stroke is solid.
Drafted Boston College combo guard Olivier Hanlan 42nd overall
The Jazz went for a more ready-to-contribute option in the second round, drafting a combo guard that should be able to provide quality depth backing up both guard spots. Hanlan is a well-rounded, score-first offensive player that can distribute well enough to occasionally pass as a point guard. Utah's offense frequently plays through Gordon Heyward uses a lot of ball-movement, so Hanlan can fit in a point guard despite not being a pure distributor. Hanlan's ability to both drive and shoot is a nice option to have off the bench, someone who can get hot and carry a second unit every once in a while without completely being a gunner.
What To Do Next?
Utah probably has the deepest roster of promising young talent in the NBA, so there isn't a ton they really need to do this offseason. One area of need is a back-up small forward, preferably one that can shoot. Mike Dunleavy is still a great shooter and would inject a little age and experience to a very young core. Marco Belinelli would also be an ice fit with what Utah wants to do, as would Jared Dudley, who could also play some stretch-four.
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
2015 Draft Preview: Utah Jazz
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
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Utah Jazz Draft Review
I thought Exum was one of the three plays who had a chance to be a superstar on both ends of the court, so for the Jazz to get him at 5, especially after falling out of the top 4, is a huge win for the a excellent franchise that has fallen on hard times recently. Exum really is a player who could help turn the franchise around and become a star who attracts others to come play with him due to his versatile offensive game, high IQ, and unselfishness. I love the pairing of Exum and Trey Burke because both are intelligent players who can equally score or distribute. Having both on the floor along with Gordon Heyward will really give the Jazz a variety of offense looks with each able to initiated the offense or play off the ball.
23. Rodney Hood, G/F Duke So. (6-9, 208)
Things fell perfectly for Utah, first getting Exum, then filling a need for shooting with one of the best in the draft with their second first round pick. Hood was never the lottery pick he was hyped to be, but as a shooter with elite size he provides value. Hood needs to improve his defense and his ability to attack with the dribble off closeouts, but nearly 6-9 with 40% three-point shooting ability doesn't come along every day. The Jazz needed a knockdown shooter and got one in Hood, who can make shots from beyond the arc or midrange. With Hood spacing the floor, it should create space for Utah's ball-handlers and big man.
Current Roster
PG: Trey Burke/John Lucas III
SG: Dante Exum/Alec Burks
SF: Gordon Heyward (UFA)/Rodney Hood
PF: Derrick Favors/Jeremy Evans
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