Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Who can the Jazz get at #9?

Assuming the Jazz don't trade the pick, what can they really get from the slot that's produced players as varied as Amare Stoudamire and Patrick O'Bryant?

1. John Wall - won't be there.
2. Evan Turner - won't be there.
3. Derrick Favors - won't be there.
4. Wesley Johnson - won't be there.

5. DeMarcus Cousins - He's an obvious NBA talent, but there's a lot of question marks about his off-court behavior. Maybe that'll scare enough GM's away, but somehow I doubt it. Odd of being there at #9: 5%

6. Greg Monroe - He's about the same size as Cousins, but with better attitude and passing skills, but doesn't have the potential or wingspan. There are a lot of big men to choose from this year, and he seems to be one of the best, after the no-brainers. Odds: 10%

7. Al-Farouq Aminu - I keep hearing great things about his athleticism. Odds: 25%

8. Patrick Patterson - Should be a really good power forward but one that'll have to compensate for not having the height so many teams crave in their bigs. Odds: 70%

9. Each of these guys will likely be available but I think they'll go with

Ekpe Udoh - (6'10"/PF/Jr) - His profile was raised by Baylor's deep run in the tournament. Best-case scenario: the next LaMarcus Aldridge. Worst? Marcus Haislip. But the potential, the long arms, I think if the above 8 are gone, they go with Udoh, but other possibilities:

Cole Aldrich - (6'10"/C/Jr) - Hm, a tall white American guy. How many of those develop into something? He doesn't have the immediate obviousness of Kevin Love or Chris Kaman, so what is he, a shorter Kosta Koufos?

Luke Babbitt - (6'9"/SF/So) - The Jazz don't really need a small forward, with Andrei Kirilenko and C.J. Miles there.

Ed Davis - (6'10"/PF/So) - Seems to be the biggest question mark in this range. Will his game translate? Will he be a starter in five years or out of the league?

Xavier Henry (6'6"/SG/Fr) - Long arms and athletic. But with Boozer likely leaving and Okur injured, the Jazz really need more front-court help than back-court.

Hassan Whiteside - (7'0"/C/Fr) - Great potential, would have benefitted from another year or two at college, I see the Jazz passing him on him because they don't have the time for another big-man project; they need an immediate rotation player, if not starter.

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