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Jazz have many options on NBA draft night

Jazz have many options on NBA draft night

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – The Utah Jazz can trade up, trade down or trade out of the first round of the NBA Draft Wednesday night. There are several options on the table.

This year’s draft is not considered to be that deep, but there’s still talent to be found where the Jazz are picking at #10.

“Chances are the 10th pick is going to be an NBA player at least for a little while and hopefully for a long time,” said Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said. “So our job is to find out how. How can we make that happen?”

Jazz will take ‘best player available’ in NBA Draft

The Jazz are reportedly interested in trading up into the top five and take a guy like UConn guard Stephon Castle or Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard. Armed with ten first round picks over the next four years, the Jazz have the draft capital to move all over the draft.

“We’re in different parts of the draft, too,” Zanik said. “So we would have opportunities to maybe take some upside swings and then also take guys that might be able to fit and help some of those guys function who might be more ready to contribute in some small way.”

Having just drafted three young players in Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh, drafting two more first rounders could make it tougher for their development.

“There hasn’t been any decision on them of drafting over them,” Zanik said. “We’re in an evaluation stage. We’re in a development stage. Obviously this is a huge summer and a huge year for Keyonte to take a step, for Taylor to take a step, Brice to take a step. I don’t think you ever make a decision after one year on whether a guy can play or not or what his ceiling is. I’ve been very happy with the development of those three guys.

As for drafting for specific needs, whether it be perimeter defense or shooting, Zanik says the team just has to take the best player available.

Keyonte George named to All-Rookie Second Team

“We need to do a lot of things better with our team,” Zanik said. “You get to the point where, hey, we need some shooting or we need specific things, and maybe that part might change.”

The Jazz have the #10 and #29 picks in the first round, and the #32 overall pick in the second round.

The first round of the NBA Draft begins at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, with the second round happening Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

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