After what had to have been the most tumultuous season in Jazz history, from the resignation of Jerry Sloan, to the trading of Deron Williams, to the complete collapse over the final two months of the season, the Jazz finally got a break.
The ping pong balls landed in a fortuitous combination, and the Jazz moved up to the 3rd pick in next month's NBA Draft. It will be the highest draft pick since the team traded up to the 3-spot to select Deron Williams in 2005. They've only had one pick higher and that was back in 1980 when they took Darrell Griffith with the second overall pick.
This pick will have to be equally as impactful as Williams and Griffith.
The Jazz are at a crossroads. They're not good enough with the team that they have to be playoff contenders. But they do have one thing on their side -- youth. From newbies Gordon Hayward to Derrick Favors to the veterans Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Devin Harris, the Jazz core is all under 30.
Now they're about to get even younger. So what do they do? I say do whatever they can to get Arizona's Derrick Williams. I think this guy is the most talented player in the draft, and he just might fall into the Jazz laps. Kyrie Irving is expected to go #1 to Cleveland, while Minnesota already has two young talented players in Wesley Johnson and Michael Beasley who play Williams' position.
But if the Jazz feel the T-Wolves will take Williams anyway, then they should put together a package, whether it's their #3 pick and a player, or their #3 and #12 selections to move up to get the next D-Will.
If that doesn't work, then I'd be OK with Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight. He's only 18, but Knight can flat out shoot, and at 6-3, he's got the size and quickness to contribute sooner than later. Turkish center Enes Kanter may be skilled, but he's still raw and I believe the Jazz have met their quotas with Turkish centers anyway.
If the Jazz keep their #12 pick and he's still on the board, I don't see how they can't take Jimmer Fredette.
Whomever the Jazz take, you can be sure the front office brass will do their homework. The future of the franchise depends on it.
