What 12 NBA mock drafts say about Jazz's pick at #12


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SALT LAKE CITY — Instead of days, NBA fans are now counting down the hours leading to the June 25 NBA Draft. Teams are making their final preparations, planning ahead for all different possible scenarios. Trade rumors are indeed flying. All in all, it is an exciting time. Draft night is akin to Christmas day for many basketball fanatics. The Utah Jazz faithful will certainly be hoping tomorrow is a good one for the franchise. With this in mind, here is one final look at the various mock drafts, again with the focus on who each tabs as the newest Jazzmen.

ESPN.com Chad Ford's 'Grade: A' mock draft 2.0 (updated 06.23)

Ford was asked by his editors to produce a mock draft where he would play the role of GM for each team, selecting the players he feels would be the best fits — the intel he is privy to not being a factor. Surprisingly, UCLA's Kevon Looney is who he feels has the most potential to be molded into a good player. The versatile forward can do a lot of things on the court and would have the opportunity of being groomed along slowly. It may be a bit high for Looney, but the Jazz seemed to like what they have seen from him. Rakeem Christmas from Syracuse and Larry Nance Jr. are the second-round picks. Christmas really blossomed his senior season and could be a steady big man in the NBA. Nance is a high-energy player who plays with optimal effort. Nice picks in the second round here.

NBA Beat Writers Mock Draft, via the Boston Globe (updated 06.23)

This was a fun one to peruse, as beat writers covering each team in the Association made the picks. The Salt Lake Tribune's Aaron Falk went with big man Myles Turner. As Falk mentioned, Turner would be an excellent addition to Utah's bench and front court rotation. He would bring length, skill, shot blocking ability, solid shooting and a lot of potential. Should he be there at No. 12, Turner would be a great pick.

Draft Express Mock Draft, by Jonathan Givony (06.24)

Givony also goes for Myles Turner. In the second round, Utah obtains Kentucky guard Andrew Harrison and UTEP's Vince Hunter. Harrison is a difficult-to-define prospect, given his up-and-down career. It will be interesting to see how his game translates over to the next level. Hunter is a very good rebounder who is a bit undersized. He is active defensively. It is worth listening to David Locke's podcast conversation with Givony.

SI.com Mock Draft 4.0, by Chris Mannix (06.23)

This one seems to be a bit of a stretch, with Mannix opting for Georgia State guard R.J. Hunter. The Jazz like Hunter, but they may not like him at No. 12. With such a premium on shooting, he would make a lot of sense for Utah. Beyond his ability to connect from outside, Hunter has solid size and can pass the ball. Perhaps he is a player the Jazz target via a trade, either a move down in the Draft or for a second first-round pick. In his last iteration, Utah was able to get big man Willie Cauley-Stein.

CBS Sports.com Mock Draft, by Sam Vecenie, Gary Parrish and Zach Harper (06.18, 06.23, 06.18)

Vecenie sees the Jazz pairing up with Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky, one of the most discussed players among Utah fans. Kaminsky's pros are his leadership, size, shooting prowess and elite passing skills for a big man. Conversely, his cons are his speed and what seems to be limited upside. There is some risk and seemingly limited upside, but Kaminsky is a player who could contribute right away.

Arizona's Stanley Johnson is Parrish's pick. In many mocks, Johnson is gone by Utah's pick. Should he be there, he would undoubtedly receive serious consideration. Off the heels of Draymond Green's stellar season and Playoff run, many teams are looking for versatile forwards with the capability of running, defending opposing big men and shooting. Johnson has the potential to do those things. His versatility is very tantalizing.

Lastly, Harper also goes for Myles Turner.

USA Today Mock Draft 13.0, by Derek Bodner (06.22)

Bodner predicts Utah grabbing Frank Kaminsky, citing his offensive versatility. In the second round, big man Dakari Johnson from Kentucky and small forward Anthony Brown out of Stanford are the picks. Johnson could be a serviceable back-up center.

Basketball Insiders Final Consensus Mock Draft (06.24)

Alex Kennedy, Joel Bingham, Moke Hamilton and Steve Kyler all share their thoughts on one board. All but Hamilton have Utah bringing Myles Turner to Salt Lake City, while he feels shooter Devin Booker is the guy. It is no secret that Booker's forte is shooting. What else he does on the court remains the question.

Sheridan Hoops Mock Draft 6.0, by Joe Kotoch (06.24)

Frank Kaminsky is the selection in this mock. Not much to add here.

Sporting News Mock Draft, by Adi Joseph (06.24)

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona small forward, is the selection. Like Hunter, Utah certainly has interest in the defensive stud — but perhaps not this high in the Draft. Hollis-Jefferson might be able to contribute right away on the defensive end. His offense is quite a bit behind and may never catch up. Even so, a lock-down guy is something every team could use, including a Jazz squad that was the league's best post-All-Star break.

NBA Draft.net Mock Draft (06.22) Yet another vote for Myles Turner. In the second round, Utah gets combo guard Joseph Young out of Oregon and Andrew Harrison. First, it seems unlikely that Utah retains both second-round picks. Second, taking a pair of guards to add to a crowded back court may not be the most plausible.

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