Man, I'd hate to be Kevin O'Connor right about now. The decisions he has to make this week will only affect the future of the Jazz franchise as we know it. That's all. O'Connor himself admitted this draft is the biggest in Jazz history, so he knows the pressure is on. The Jazz own the 3rd and 12th overall picks in the first round. The 12th pick is too unpredictable. Nobody knows who is going to be available. So let's concentrate on the 3rd pick.
The way I see it, the Jazz will either go big or go small. They'll either go with Turkish center Enes Kanter or Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight. There are other possibilities, of course, but these two guys are the most likely.
The Jazz need a true center, and Kanter can be that guy. At 6-11, 260 pounds, this guy is a beast. Al Jefferson can play in the middle, but at 6-10, he's often overmatched in the paint. Derrick Favors is a developing talent, but he's more suited to play power forward. Mehmet Okur has the size to play center, but his offensive game is strongest on the perimeter, and who knows what's going to happen with his injury history.
Kanter is the best post player in the draft. He's only 19, but he does have international experience. Scouts say his footwork is excellent and he has strong a strong post presence. Besides, as the Jazz painfully learned the last few years, you can never have enough size. Kanter would provide that and give the Jazz an extra rebounding threat. Although Kanter could be a bit of a risk, I'd be happy if he was the pick.
I'd also like it if the Jazz took Knight. The NBA has proven to be a guard-driven league. With the likes of Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams leading the way, teams need a solid guard to be successful. Devin Harris is 29 years old, and his best years are probably behind him. The Jazz need a point guard of the future and a face of the franchise. Knight can be that guy.
Knight may not be a true pass-first point guard, but he can definitely score, something the Jazz lacked from their perimeter guys this past season. At 6-3, Knight could also play alongside Harris to give the Jazz two solid ball handlers on the floor at the same time. Like Kanter, Knight is only 19, but he has a high basketball IQ and should pick up the Jazz system quickly.
Either way, the Jazz are in a win-win situation. I think both Kanter and Knight are guys the Jazz can build around for years to come. I just can't wait to see what O'Connor decides to do.
