Jonas Valanciunas

[reapaman]

Jonas isn't gonna fall too far. Its just one season and a possible shortened season at that. Most of the teams picking in the Lottery aint going no where no matter who they pick and most need a legit center. I would still strongly consider him for #12 if I were the Jazz. That would work out well since Jonas will likely not get any minutes until we trade or or both of Millsap/Al in addition to officially saying goodbye to Okur. It gives us more time to figure that out before Jonas's official rookie season, he can get minutes right away instead of waiting.

[Ugly0598]

If he happened to fall to #12, I'd gamble at him considering we might be taking Knight, but I imagine his stock might fall a bit now due to this news.

[Jazzfan12]

I don't get why his stock is falling. Everyone in this draft is a huge project and there may not be a season next year, but him playing in Europe next year is a deal breaker. Even "NBA-ready" prospects don't contribute anything to their teams in the first year.

[Paper Face]

I'd pick him at 3. That would guarantee a quality backup PG at 12.

So what if he can't come over right away. The Jazz aren't on the brink of anything over the next 2 years.

Jonas has mad upside.

[carrottop12]

Well, there are some big time risks of taking a player and not having him around for a year to monitor or work with or develop how you want. It's also a bit of a hard sell to your fans that you are trying to win now when you pick up a guy they won't see for a year at the earliest.

The risk of injury is always there, especially for a team that will use him with little regard for his future with the team. I see why it is causing him to slip, though I still expect him to be a lottery pick, likely top 10.

[Paper Face]

Well, there are some big time risks of taking a player and not having him around for a year to monitor or work with or develop how you want. It's also a bit of a hard sell to your fans that you are trying to win now when you pick up a guy they won't see for a year at the earliest.

I agree. But this might be the perfect year to pull this kind of move. The lockout will give the Jazz a lot of latitude in this situation.

[The59Sound]

Jonas feels like one of those players who will either blow up and become one of the league's top big men or whose career will plod along for five years and end with a whimper. But that's just going on instinct. Having seen a couple of his games, I think he has definite potential, but I don't think he's worth the #3 pick. Too much risk for my personal taste.

I think I've been converted to the Church of Knight (though only because the Church of Williams is headquartered in Minnesota).

[Charlie_S]

If the Jazz think he's BPA they should just pick him at #3. We can afford to wait one season (and who knows if said season is even going to get played). It goes without saying that if you decide to pass on him and he falls to #12 then you take him and run.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

I wonder if his contract situation makes him a more viable option for the Jazz since he wouldn't be coming over for another year. It would allow them time to figure out the log jam while he continued to develop his game over-seas (which is also a bonus if there is a lockout).

[Matt007b]

I wonder if his contract situation makes him a more viable option for the Jazz since he wouldn't be coming over for another year. It would allow them time to figure out the log jam while he continued to develop his game over-seas (which is also a bonus if there is a lockout).

honestly.. I really do think this draft is the last we'll see of the Jazz and NBA this year. They're way apart on $$$ issues and I think they will lockout. If KOC does pick him, I wouldn't be against it.

[carrottop12]

Actually sounds like they made some progress today. I bet they figure it out before November.