Knicks 2010 Draft Pick...who would you take?

[Relentless88]

I was just thinking about the pick that's unprotected and you'll get from the Knicks these season. Seeing as the Knicks are so bad, and let's say the get the 1st or 2nd pick in the draft, who do the Jazz take? They're pretty much set with Deron Williams at PG and Paul Milsap at PF, so it wouldn't make sense to bring in John Wall or Derrick Favors, right? Do you take one of them and trade? What do you think would happen if you get the 1 or 2 picks?

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Off the top of my head the two names that come to mind are Cole Aldrich and Willie Warren. I don't really know much about either of them, wouldn't surprise me to find out Warren is a knuckle head though. I need to actually watch this next season of college ball before I can really tell you who I would take.

[HolyToledo]

I would make DWILL unhappy and take John Wall if he was the best player available. We shall see how he plays in coming season. DWILL would move to SG or do a combo PG system where both can play point guard which works well in a running system thus Sloan hopefully gone someday.

[The Sheik]

We are taking the best talent period.

We probably would not take John Wall and landing the #1 pick would be the worst thing that could happen to the Jazz because we would have no leverage with the teams in the top 5 to move down.

Millsap certainly is not the PF of the future. He is the PF of right now.

I would say Utahs big board in no particular order would look like this:

Favors, Davis, Monroe, Turner, Aldrich

but its way to early to speculate. Wall, Favors and Davis have done absolutely nothing at the collegiate level.

I personally like Evan Turner. He is a safe pick IMO, Monroe has nice upside. Aldrich looks more like a fringe starter rotation guy to me.

[erudite23]

I would make DWILL unhappy and take John Wall if he was the best player available. We shall see how he plays in coming season. DWILL would move to SG or do a combo PG system where both can play point guard which works well in a running system thus Sloan hopefully gone someday.

Just so you know, reading this man's posts can be hazardous to your (mental) health.

It is advised that you skip them altogether.

[JazzJuice]

Too early to say but I bet we'll take the best big avaialble, PF or not.

[Jazztastico]

Al-Farouq Aminu!

[HolyToledo]

I would make DWILL unhappy and take John Wall if he was the best player available. We shall see how he plays in coming season. DWILL would move to SG or do a combo PG system where both can play point guard which works well in a running system thus Sloan hopefully gone someday.

Just so you know, reading this man's posts can be hazardous to your (mental) health.

It is advised that you skip them altogether.

What is so bad about taking best player available regardsless of position? If John Wall best player available by far which some suggest he will be than Jazz take and play Dwill and him together. Get a life idiot!!!

[Jazztastico]

haha ohh snap, we are actually projected Aminu on this random mock draft I found lol

http://www.nbadraft.net/2010mock_draft

I think we should go with a small forward personally. Deron-Brewer-NY pick-Millsap-Kosta is our future 5, all young talented and still promising. Snag us a top 3 in that draft and that will complete us.

If a big boy center was available at our pick do you think we take him? And how high do you think this pick can be?

[erudite23]

As for the topic at hand, it is of course still way up in the air. Too many moving pieces right now to give a reliable response, but its going to be all sorts of enjoyable to figure it out.

Last year at this time, the idea was put forward that Derrick Favors should be the early favorite for us to target as our "best case" pick. That has not only not changed, but become even more solidified over the past year-plus. I have a big thread coming sometime in the few months on the subject, but I will give a quick synopsis right now. Prospects in order of Jazz preference if draft were held today:


1. Derrick Favors
A legit beast inside that will alter shots, rebound at a very high rate, finish strong inside and potentially become a back-to-the-basket threat. Has the ability to become a real force around the hoop on offense and defense. His length and frame could allow for PT at Center down the road as well. Questions right now include his propensity to coast at times and his general lack of polish (though that is to be expected at this stage, of course)

2. Ed Davis
This is a close one, as there is no legit strong #2 right now. Davis comes closest, with his ability to block shots and be active inside. Also shows the ability to be a strong rebounder. Good face the basket game, but nothing in the way of post moves. Is 2-3 years older than Favors as well, which makes this less forgivable.

3. Cole Aldrich
This will surprise many, but he seems tailor made for the Jazz. Is already a monster on the boards and has an emerging offensive game. Could be the defensive anchor we've been looking for for years, without being an offensive liability a la Tag, Eaton, Spencer, etc. Might not have the uber upside of other guys in this area, but I think he has the highest floor of any of the top prospects. Solid guy and a great teammate from all reports I've read.

4. Evan Turner
Smooth, versatile, all around good player. Would take some of the playmaking burden off of D-Will. Good rebounder, good passer, improving shooter, good ball handler, good defender (could become a great one), good character, good attitude...just good. Not sure he can be great, but is a perfect all around player to plug into Jerry's system. Would provide the leeway to cut AK loose and with D-Will and Brewer could form the best 1-2-3 combo in the league.

5. Donatas Motiejunas
Amazingly skilled big guy who can run the floor, shoot, handle and score in a variety of ways. A bit of an unknown, but we are overdue for the next Euro sensation who actually pans out and ends up being a good/great player. Also good enough defensively and on the boards to avoid being another Bargnani or even Memo.

6. Greg Monroe
Not as tough and rugged as the Jazz need, but his amazing skill level (and especially passing ability) would work great in the Jazz offense. Got a lot of work to do to quiet the whispers about last season's collapse, but also has enough upside to become a legit threat for #1 overall.

7. Paul George
Not a lot is known about him, but seems to be a mix between a young TMac and Shawn Marion. Has the upside to contend for #1 as well, but could just as easily be a late lotto guy, too. Is a ridiculous athlete (as evidenced here http://www.youtube.com/v/4uXmDwm8UJY) who could become an all around offensive monster if he follows the right developmental curve. Too risky for my taste, but has a ton of potential.

8. Al Farouqu Aminu
A lot like AK in many ways. A SF type who can slide down to the 4 under the right circumstances. Great run/jump athlete who can block shots and finish at the hoop. Could be a defensive difference maker. Not a great jumper and not a lot of polish offensively, but should be good defensively no matter what.

9. Willie Warren
Comparisons have been made to Ben Gordon as well as Dwyane Wade. I think he will be a breakout star and become a top 5 pick. I have him this low because I don't like the fit with the Jazz. Could play off the ball with D-Will, but wouldn't maximize his abilities without the ball in his hands a lot. Isn't a very good rebounder and would be a liability against most opposing 2 guards. Explosive offensively, great off the dribble and getting to the rack. Could be a dominant defender against 1s, but will likely be a bit undersized to consistently guard 2s.

10. John Wall
An amazing talent who can become a great player, but would die on the vine with the Jazz. Doesn't have the mental makeup to thrive under Jerry Sloan or to run a structured offense like we employ. Devastating talent who could elevate his stock to surefire #1 in the draft by d-day 2010. If the Jazz held the #1 in that event, would likely look to trade down for a bonanza of picks and/or young prospects.

[StocktonShorts]

Sharon.. I mean Derrick Favors.

[GameTime_3]

Favors, Davis, Monroe or Cousins.....Gotta chance to watch them live acouple of times, Cousins/Favors looks to be solid Pro prospects.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

I totally forgot about Turner. That kid be would be a great pick if the Jazz end up dumping AK.

My top 5 prospects at this moment in time...
1- Cole Aldrich
2- Evan Turner
3- Willie Warren
4- Derrick Favors
5- John Wall

Warren, Favors, and Wall would be the top 3 but I question how they will fit with the team and with the Jazz system. They all seem to be knuckle heads that need to mature but I'll have to see them in college first before I can make my final judgment. Aldrich tops my list simply because he can score, rebound, and most importantly block shots. Turner seems to be a great kid with his head and heart in the right places. Turner has lots of talent and could turn into something special.

[hoops4life]

BPA... whether that is Wall, another pg, or a big...

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

I don't buy into taking the best player available in all situations. If you have a need at a position and you can improve at that position in the draft then you should take that player that can help your team win regardless if he is a spot or two below the best talent in the draft. Unless the best available player is miles and miles ahead of everyone else in the draft (such as Griffin in this years draft) then you should draft by the teams need.

[00000000000]

I would make DWILL unhappy and take John Wall if he was the best player available. We shall see how he plays in coming season. DWILL would move to SG or do a combo PG system where both can play point guard which works well in a running system thus Sloan hopefully gone someday.

Are you out of your mind?? Ya, lets pick some untested college player with the plan of giving him half of Deron's position and minutes. Deron has already proven that he is going to be a top 3 point guard in the league for years to come. What more could you ask for?? Why in the Hell would we want to make DWill unhappy? The jazz should do everything in their power to make sure he re-signs with us when his contract is up. Thank god your not calling the shots within the jazz organization.

[The Sheik]

The best 3 fits IMO are Aldrich, Turner and Monroe.

I love Favors upside, but Im weary of whether he is the next Josh Smith or Amare or if he is Stro Swift, Ty Thomas.

[DelaneyRudd]

I'm getting pretty tired of the speculation threads at this point. Are we going to have one of these every week for a year?

[erudite23]

The problem with the BPA strategy is that often times you never get to see how good a player could really be if you already have a player ahead of them that is inhibiting their development.

Take Boozer and Millsap. Had Boozer not gotten hurt this past year, no one would have known that Millsap was capable of playing at a 20+ PER level, or capable of putting up 18 and 11 as a starter for a prolonged stretch and Millsap likely would have gotten 4-5 a season. He might have even been signed away from the Jazz and exploded somewhere else.

History is full of situations like this, and the plain fact of the matter is that in basketball you only are allowed to play 5 guys at the same time. If you have two guys that do the same things at an extremely high level, you won't be able to maximize their abilities. Meanwhile, other deficiencies on your roster won't be addressed.

That's why you have to be able to walk the fine line between taking BPA and drafting for need.

Here's how it should be:

If you're a team in need of a PF/C type who has an extremely good PG--lets say you are Phoenix circa 1998 and you have Jason Kidd--and you are forced to choose between Mike Bibby (considered to be the clearly superior prospect at the time) or Raef Lafrentz (filles the need you have, still an extremely good prospect himself) you take Lafrentz. Why? Because the two are comparable prospects who will likely pan out to be in the same ballpark as players (which did, in fact, play out) even though Bibby may become somewhere between slightly and significantly better, but LaFrentz has more value to your TEAM because he does the things that you need right now, even thoug hist total value in a vacuum might be slightly less.

However, if you are that same team (Phoenix 1998) and you are choosing later on in the lottery and Bibby has fallen to you while the PF alternatives you have are Tractor Traylor and Keon Clark (we'll leave Dirk out of this as the circumstances surrounding his entrance into the NBA were unique) you take Bibby even though he's a PG because he is a vastly better prospect than either one of those guys (which was, again, born out after the draft) and you try to figure it out on the fly moving forward.

At some point, the value of the player overall exceeds the value of having your need filled. But as long as the two prospects are within relative proximity to one another, you go with the need. The "tier" drafting philosophy works very well in this respect. But in the end it all comes down to scouting.

If the season develops in such a way that Wall is head and shoulders above every other prospect, I would have us take him and then find a way to move him down the road somewhere. The problem in this instance is that the player doesn't fit our team, either. Something complicates matters significantly.

[Jazztastico]

whats the bet that we end up with that european guy Donatus Motiejunas, another big man shooter whos flimsy in the post, thats our luck.

If we took a center we'd have to make sure they're better/will be better than Kosta or its a waste, we're commited to Millsap and Deron, and probably soon Brewer. The only positions this guy can eventually become a starter is at SG/SF (Brewer could play either) Thats why unless a dominant superior center to Memo and Kosta falls into our lap thats what I want to draft.