The Utah Jazz came up short in 2016, missing the playoffs by one game. With a Gordon Hayward-led offense and a Rudy Gobert-led defense, they had the tools to make a playoff push, but they couldn't get over the edge.
NBA Draft rumors 2016: Jazz open to ‘anything and everything’ on draft night
The Jazz are ready for a “dynamic week,” the Spurs and Hornets are looking to move up and Denzel Valentine’s durability is being questioned.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into the 2016 NBA Draft with the 12th pick, they're ready for anything on draft day, according to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune.
"I think we're still pretty wide open," Walt Perrin, VP of player personnel, told reporters. "We've been on the phone quite a bit. I think we're still open to anything and everything. Whether that's to keep the pick, to trade up, to trade down or whatever."
They have worked out numerous possible draft picks, but, as Jones notes, of the players the Jazz have worked out, only Deyonta Davis of Michigan State has been a projected top-10 pick. The Jazz haven’t been able to work out Skal Labissiere of Kentucky, Utah’s Jakob Poeltl or Malik Beasley of Florida State. Not that the Jazz wouldn’t select a possible star if he fell to them in the 12th spot, but the quality of player they’ve been eyeing makes it seem that a trade down would make sense.
“With the number of guards, wings, bigs, and trade options, I think there are going to be a bunch of interesting things that we have to sort through,” Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey told reporters. “We’ve been receiving interest. We’re going to have some meetings this week. I think Wednesday is going to be a little more open-ended than I’m normally used to. It definitely has the chance to be a dynamic week.”
The Jazz did have luck with the 12th pick in last year's draft, nabbing Trey Lyles, who proved his worth as a rookie.
It appears that they will have teams calling for that 12th pick -- there are rumors teams are interested in trading up, including the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets.
The San Antonio Spurs want to move up the draft board
After bowing out at the hands of the overpowering Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Spurs are rumored to be interested in making a splash in Thursday's draft by moving up the board, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders and NBADraft.net.
The Spurs currently own the 29th pick in the draft, and are entering a summer full of uncertainty. A move up -- which would be the Spurs first draft-day move since they traded George Hill to the Indiana Pacers for Kawhi Leonard, the 15th pick in 2011 draft -- could certainly help a bench and lineup that is flux.
With Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili possibly retiring, an aging Tony Parker and David West reportedly set to decline his player option for the 2016-17 season, there are a few roster spots the Spurs could be targeting with a move. The bench needs more bodies, and some young energy might help the veteran-heavy squad.
The Spurs could feasibly be going after an energy guy off the bench, a possible backup center or a floor general to eventually take over for Parker. Back when the Spurs traded Hill, there was a grumbling of disapproval from the fan base -- but they ended up with their franchise star five years later. Could the Spurs trade away the lovable Patty Mills? If so, they shouldn't expect another Leonard -- but never count out the Spurs.
The Hornets have expressed interest in moving up, too
The Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones noted that the Hornets are a team that could be contacting the Jazz about moving up in the draft. But general manager Rich Ho is keeping his team’s options wide open.
“We’re looking at a lot of different options: moving up, moving back, moving out of the draft altogether,” Cho told the Charlotte Observer.
The Hornets are coming off one of the most successful seasons in recent history, taking the Miami Heat to seven games in the first round of the playoffs. With Jeremy Lin declining his player option and the small possibility that Nicolas Batum might not return to Charlotte next year, the Hornets could have a different look during the 2016-17 season.
They currently own the 22nd pick in the draft, and with this year’s draft class not being regarded as a high-quality field, a move up could be the right call. Cho told the Charlotte Observer he didn’t think the point guard class was as strong as the wings and bigs in the group. With Kemba Walker already on the roster, he doesn’t have to worry as much about a floor general.
Denzel Valentine’s knee isn’t helping his draft stock
The Michigan State star was one of college basketball’s best players in 2015-16, but a right knee injury kept him out of four games. He came back as strong as ever, but teams are reportedly worried about Valentine’s health heading into Thursday’s draft.
Valentine has a “fairly significant knee issue,” sources told Basketball Insiders -- and Valentine has been dropping in mock drafts because of it. Valentine brushed off concerns of his health, however.
“I guess some teams are worried about it,” Valentine told reporters. “But all I can do is take care of what I can control. I’m asymptomatic, I’m healthy.”
If he is, the shot-making playmaker could end up being a steal later in the first round.
See More:
