Jonas Valanciunas at #3

[carrottop12]

Biyombo has no offensive game. That is why, and NBA ready should never factor into a top 3 pick unless you are on the verge of losing your team and need instant wins.

Here is what I don't like about Valanciunas, and what makes me worry about him as a fit with the Jazz. He doesn't score outside of 5 feet. Every single bucket he makes is a lay in, or a dunk off the pick and roll. As nice as that would have been with Stockton, we don't have that guy anymore. Crowding the lane with Valanciunas next to Favors is a bad idea imo. As much as Favors has shown he might have a decent jump shot, I'd rather have another big that can score from 5-10 feet, as well as close to the rim, who can spread the floor and open things up for Favors. I also like the idea of having a big body to play next to Favors. Favors is going to be our rangy, athletic shot blocker/weak side defender. I like Kanter as the strong guy who can keep other players away from the rim. His 6'11 260 lb frame should do that quite well.

I don't see Val being able to get that kind of position in the NBA against bigger, stronger, faster players, and I don't think he'll be quite the rebounder he is in Europe. He's an excellent offensive rebounder because he plays so close to the rim, again I don't think he'll get that kind of position in the American game. As has been the constant comparison, I think Andris Biedrins is an excellent match, and his good free-throw shooting should provide a bit more scoring. I don't see much in his game that hints that he'll be a shot creator at the next level. I think that is a reach to take a guy at 3 who may never be able to create offense for himself.

If you mix that in with the fact that a lot of Biedrins points came in playing with a high a high volume team like Golden State, I think you are looking at a 12/10 type career out of Val if he reaches his ceiling, and finds a way to play 30 minutes a game, which I have serious doubts about as well.

That is certainly solid, and could make him one of the better centers in the league, but I think Irving, Williams and Kanter all have better futures in the league.

[Jazzfan12]

Valanciunas can shoot as well or better than Kanter.

[carrottop12]

Where is there proof of that? He scores almost all of his baskets on pick and roll lay ups or offensive rebounds.

[StocktonShorts]

Valanciunas can shoot as well or better than Kanter.

I haven't seen any evidence of this. Is there a video clip or some statistics to back this up?

[carrottop12]

I get what the draw is of Valanciunas, I really do. He's massive, he runs the floor, he's got a great wing span, and he's a good pick and roll player. He also appears to have a good motor, and is a good finisher close to the rim.

He is starting to look more and more like a top 5 prospect to me, but I just don't think he's a better prospect than Irving, Kanter or Williams.

[eLo]

Biyombo has no offensive game. That is why, and NBA ready should never factor into a top 3 pick unless you are on the verge of losing your team and need instant wins.

in that case it is a factor if you are picking from those three guys, most concerns about Biyombo was that he may be totally not ready to participate in his first nba years, now we now that this should not be such an big issue, plus imo from those big guys you wont find better prospect than he is.

[carrottop12]

Biyombo has no offensive game. That is why, and NBA ready should never factor into a top 3 pick unless you are on the verge of losing your team and need instant wins.

in that case it is a factor if you are picking from those three guys, most concerns about Biyombo was that he may be totally not ready to participate in his first nba years, now we now that this should not be such an big issue, plus imo from those big guys you wont find better prospect than he is.

Again, his offensive game is extremely raw, made up pretty much completely of offensive rebounds, transition baskets, or catches under the basket.

Right now he just out athletes the the opposition, but the NBA has repeatedly shown you need more than that to succeed.

[erudite23]

In fairness, we haven't seen any more evidence that Kanter can spread the floor in an NBA-type setting, either. I think Val's FTs are what he is referencing as proof. Rarely can a guy shoot in the high-80s from the stripe and not be able to step out and hit a long J in game. Oddly enough, the opposite is not true.

[carrottop12]

Our pg is a pretty good example of a guy who can shoot free-throws but doesnt have good touch outside of 5 feet. And while we haven't seen proof of kanter hitting that jumper in college, he's hit it everywhere else, something that definitely can't be said about Val.

[carrottop12]

So Valanciuans has a 3 million dollar buyout in his contract if he is planning on coming over.

Personally, I think this completely eliminates him from contention at 3, but may actually make him more likely at 12.

If he slips, and the Jazz are willing to give him some time overseas to avoid the buy out he could be a huge steal.

*Update*

DX just reported that the number was inaccurate. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[kamazilla]

So Valanciuans has a 3 million dollar buyout in his contract if he is planning on coming over.

Personally, I think this completely eliminates him from contention at 3, but may actually make him more likely at 12.

If he slips, and the Jazz are willing to give him some time overseas to avoid the buy out he could be a huge steal.

Possibly. At least people might then be willing to shed their attachment to the idea that Ante Tomic will ever contribute meaningfully to the Jazz.