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It is looking like Monroe is going to be gone to GSW or Sacramento before the Jazz pick. Espn's newest predicted draft has the Jazz picking Luke Babbit. He reminds of Harpring in that he can score inside and outside and has toughness, but also has Harpring's lack of speed and lack of athleticism. I do like Babbits long reach!!! He would be an ok pick to back up Matthews and Miles with AK-47 playing more of backup PF position. I would prefer to move up to get the SG at number 2 but he is a decent alternative at the 9th spot.

Moving up to number 2 would also require taking on 55 million over 3 years.

If the Jazz draft Babbitt while Aldrich, Davis, and Henry are on the board we may be looking at a Raul Lopez/Tony Parker situation all over again.

^^ Except we actually NEEDED a pg when we mistakenly chose Lopez over Parker...the last thing we need now is another one dimensional wing player, especially if there is size as you mention still on the board.

Hows a way to draft down and get Babbit and Whiteside?

DelaneyRudd wrote:Hows a way to draft down and get Babbit and Whiteside?

I like whiteside's upside alot. Worst case scenario would be a back up center but could be a star. I prefer him over any other center because of his athletic and shot blocking abilities. It seems like the Jazz have not been tied to him in any draft forecasts which is something I dont understand. He is a gamble but I think worth the try!!

Whiteside has no idea how to play basketball and doesn't have the motivation or intelligence to learn how to play.

Babbitt would be a fine pick. Worst case he's Korver with Brewer's dunking ability. I'd prefer the Jazz to trade down with the Grizzlies to get him or trade the Memphis pick for the Timberwolves pick at #16 and get him at those spots though.

I doubt the Jazz draft Babbitt before Henry. I am really starting to like the idea of getting a better 2 in the draft and trying to get a better big through trades. With how many bigs there are in this draft, it will push a really good 2 guard prospect down, which is great for us. I'm still not loving any of the big picks that seem to be falling to us...

DelaneyRudd wrote:Hows a way to draft down and get Babbit and Whiteside?

Here is a thought. Draft Babbit or Henry at 9. Buy the Minnesota pick at 16 with a combo of the Memphis/our future 1st and cash. Draft a Sanders, Whiteside, Patterson etc. Or perhaps even buy a late 1st early 2nd and get a Lawal.

The Sheik wrote:

DelaneyRudd wrote:Hows a way to draft down and get Babbit and Whiteside?

Here is a thought. Draft Babbit or Henry at 9. Buy the Minnesota pick at 16 with a combo of the Memphis/our future 1st and cash. Draft a Sanders, Whiteside, Patterson etc. Or perhaps even buy a late 1st early 2nd and get a Lawal.

I'm all for it if Jazz draft Henry at 9, Sanders at 16. May be even throw our second and some extra pennies and try to get that Ukranian big dude or Shaman....

Babbit is a athlete, just look at his combine measurements. He might compare to Harpring in some ways, but really he reminds me of Chase Buttinger but with more bulk. Maybe a Harpring-Buddinger hybrid. I don't see him as a primary option, but he could still be very good.

babyjax13 wrote:Babbit is a athlete, just look at his combine measurements. He might compare to Harpring in some ways, but really he reminds me of Chase Buttinger but with more bulk. Maybe a Harpring-Buddinger hybrid. I don't see him as a primary option, but he could still be very good.

Budinger had much better handles coming out, which helped him translate. Babbit was a PF/C for Nevada which is why people are worried about him translating. I do believe Babbit would assume a Harpring like role for Utah, as a chucker off the bench that can finish in the lane on the break or in halfcourt while hitting shots off curls. Babbit really is comparable to Linas Kleiza more than any guy I've recently seen in the NBA, but Babbit might be a bit more athletic. Another comparison is a older version of Peja Stojakovic when he primarily became just a shooter, because if you look at Babbit's stats, he doesn't particularly finish as well as a guy his size should on the inside.

Did I mention I really don't like Babbit that much?
- he's not Harpring; people tends to forgget how good Harp was when healthy
- he's not Buddinger; rocketman really has very good ball handling

Haywood? No thanks.
George? May be... but I'm not sold on him to reach that much...
Aminu? I don't know, red lighted guy...

IMHO, if you're going to reach for a wing, you should think Henry; he will be good, that's a sure thing I think, yet he could be exceptional. Talent seems to be there in huge amounts; may be he totally unfolds, may be not, but all the naturals required are there.

Babbitt has some definite NBA skills. He's a very good shooter, and I don't doubt that would translate well into the NBA, and he also has a good step back jumper which should allow him to be able to get his shot off in the L. He's pretty quick on his feet so he could definitely get himself open in Sloan's offense not unlike Korver or Harpring were able too, and he's a good rebounder as well.

If the Jazz were to pick him that wouldn't be the worst thing ever, I just don't think he fills the Jazz biggest need which is a big man, and I think in a draft that is this deep with solid PF/C's the Jazz should really try to take advantage of that.

Bat wrote:If the Jazz were to pick him that wouldn't be the worst thing ever, I just don't think he fills the Jazz biggest need which is a big man, and I think in a draft that is this deep with solid PF/C's the Jazz should really try to take advantage of that.

I agree. But if Monroe, Aldrich and Udoh are off the board I think the Jazz should take the BPA and at that point it would be either Henry or Babbitt.

Bat wrote:Babbitt has some definite NBA skills. He's a very good shooter, and I don't doubt that would translate well into the NBA..... I just don't think he fills the Jazz biggest need which is a big man, and I think in a draft that is this deep with solid PF/C's the Jazz should really try to take advantage of that.

I actually agree that Babbit will translate well int the NBA. Thing is, IMHO, the Jazz touch lottery land such a few times that I really thik they ought to maximize what they get. That's why I'm convinced they shoul buy another mid-late first rounder and probably trade up in the second round. This draft class is really good and you certainly will see consistent NBA players out of this second round too.

If all the bigs they really like are gone, go for Henry or trade down to get him if possible; take Sanders or another dude like that, buy him, whatever, and then try trade up second round to get a Lawal, Parakhouski, Shaman, Alibi if he slips that far, Brackins....

The Jazz's needs are clear. Failing to address the Jazz' needs through the draft or a trade is unacceptable. We dont need wing players or more SGs. We need size and defense. But stockpiling "assets" at a position where we are adequate does not help.

I wouldn't mind taking a SF. CJ Miles got way better this season, but he seems better fitted to a sixth man role. AK's probably moving to PF this year won't be in Utah after that. That would leave a gap at SF.

DWill_daShizzle wrote:The Jazz's needs are clear. Failing to address the Jazz' needs through the draft or a trade is unacceptable. We dont need wing players or more SGs. We need size and defense. But stockpiling "assets" at a position where we are adequate does not help.

Kyle Korver and Wes Matthews are free agents right now. We probably don't have enough money to pay both of them, so a cheaper guy like Henry would be a nice asset, and probably would bring shooting along with more than that Korver can't do.