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*Photo via Getty
The Utah Jazz, under first-year head coach Quin Snyder, went 7-3 in their last 10 games. While this stat may not sound impressive, let’s remember that this same Jazz team lost nine straight earlier in the year. Let’s also consider that only one other team, in either conference, that did not make the playoffs, finished as well as the Jazz, the Indiana Pacers. What does it all mean? I’m not sure. The Jazz could begin to climb their way back into the Western Conference playoff picture, or they could continue to grab lower tier lottery picks. Jazz fans are anxious to see this storied franchise return to the glory days of Stockton and Malone, and maybe, just maybe, one of these big fellas can help them move in that direction.
1.Trey Lyles - Kentucky
Trey Lyles is the biggest wild card of the three prospects but he also has the biggest upside. After watching him mold his game around two other lottery picks, Towns and Cauley-Stein, Lyles feels like a player who you’ve heard more about than you have actually seen. More often than not, we saw him play small forward while on the court for the Wildcats, but the Jazz will be looking for him to play a stretch four. Lyles showed good versatility last year, and could be a great asset for the Jazz. If he is on the board, look for the Jazz to pick him up.
2.Myles Turner - Texas
Turner, as is, can contribute heavy minutes for the Jazz. During his freshman year at Texas he posted 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks, yes I said blocks! On the offensive side, he was able to showcase his ability to shoot the mid-range jumper. Also, he shot 84 percent from the free-throw line. So, there will not be any hack-a-Turner going on. On the defensive side, the Jazz could solidify their defensive rotation with a rim guarder like Turner. I’m not sure if Turner will be a starter, but he will be a solid rotational player that could turn into a starter.
3.Frank Kaminsky – Wisconsin
Frank the Tank’s draft night will get interesting when the Miami Heat are on the clock. Most experts have Kaminsky going somewhere between the Heat’s 10th pick to the Suns at 13. Kaminsky gives you what few others in this draft do, namely experience. During his senior campaign for the Badgers, he averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assist per game. He also grabbed the Naismith College Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award, and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year award. Standing at a towering 7’1”, Kaminsky actually prefers to play a stretch four. He doesn’t have the strength to constantly mix it up with the elite NBA big men, but he can help spread the floor and knock down shots. Whoever picks him up gains a solid rotational player that should be able to facilitate on the offensive side.