NBA Draft Crystal Ballin': Utah Jazz

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.

Thelma, Marvin, Provo, Carlos and Deron: five of my favorite names. The Jazz will look to add a name during the draft that gives them more help now, rather than later. They just happen to be ready to contend now, so why not?

Picks: #23, #44, #55

Needs: Paul Millsap is a meast, but he alone can't create defense in the Utah frontcourt, so expect the Jazz to try and beef up their inside presence with the first pick, unless someone with a ton of upside drops. Another legit point guard or a scorer off the bench to help Ashton Kutcher ignite the second team wouldn't hurt either.

Best case scenario: Roy Hibbert, meet lap. If the big man from Georgetown falls, he would give Utah the ability to really get crazy with their lineups, going large -- when Hibbert wasn't in foul trouble -- and giving Mehmet Okur some freedom away from the paint to jack threes over smaller opponents. Courtney Lee or Chris Douglas-Roberts also seem like they'd be pretty nice fits at the two. If they go backcourt in the first, Joey Dorsey could land to Utah in the second.

More likely scenario: Actually, I see the Jazz landing one of those three guys. (Would you have preferred "Derrick Rose fractures his ankle on the way to the green room and drops" above?)

Please don't take: Marreese Speights or DeAndre Jordan, assuming a more polished big man is available right now. The Jazz have all the talent to compete in the WC for the next few years -- bringing along a project, who won't play under Jerry Sloan anyway, seems silly when there's at least an open window given the talent.

Trade possibilities: Low, at least with regard to the first pick. The Jazz can get someone they want/need at 23, so unless they decide to use one of the other two picks to leapfrog a few teams and chase a particular guy, expect to see them stand pat.