Before the Dallas Mavericks added their names to the list of title winning teams, only 8 different teams had won an NBA Championship in the previous 30 years. The big spending Mavericks were able to stretch that less-than-impressive list to 9 teams over 31 years. Something feels wrong with that, and it lies in the current NBA system. Until the NBA does something to help teams retain their own players and do away with guaranteed contracts, there’s little hope for change.

Since 1980, I counted 16 different Super Bowl winners and 19 different World Series winners. Even the salary cap-less MLB can produce more than double the amount of winning teams over a 30 year period than the NBA, and if the NBA continues to trend toward super teams that leave their scraps for small markets the next 30 years could be even worse! Four winners in 30 years? No thanks. There’s no rule that says the NFL has to be the most exciting sport for America, but the reality of every single fan being able to somewhat realistically hope for their team to become a Super Bowl contender is what keeps them excited. Look at the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have been absolute dog meat since their last Super Bowl visit over a decade ago, but would it be that far fetched to think the Carson Palmer/Darren McFadden duo, combined with good coaching and a solid defense, could return to be playoff contenders? They could absolutely do it. Contrast that to today’s NBA. Could one make the same argument about over half the teams in the NBA? Absolutely not. I hate to be a Debbie-Downer, but there is just zero chance that Charlotte, Philadelphia, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee, Washington, Golden State, Phoenix, Sacramento, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, New Jersey, Atlanta, Denver, LA Clippers, Minnesota, Portland, and yes, even Utah have any reasonable chance of winning an NBA championship with the way things are going. A balance must be created in the league for the NBA product to continue to grow.

So what would happen if NBA teams had real purchasing power over other teams when it came to re-signing their own players? And I’m not talking about the current BS that allows them to offer a 6 year deal instead of a 5 year deal that can ultimately be avoided by sign and trades, I’m talking about a real, substantial advantages, i.e. 6 year deal vs. 3 year, $15 million max vs. $8, etc. Would LeBron still be in Cleveland? Would Amar’e still be in Phoenix? Would Bosh still be in Toronto? Would Williams still be in Utah? In other words, would there still be parity in the league? I’ll let you decide.

The other item on my Christmas wishlist is the destruction of guaranteed contracts. In the current lockout, players make the argument that the NBA is unprofitable in large part due to bad deals made by owners, and that now the owners are asking the players to pay the price for those mistakes by taking less money. Well, the players are right (sort of). There are, in fact, some horrendous deals out there that completely cripple teams’ ability to stay competitive. So why do owners make these deals? To be funny? To waste money? No, in a sink-or-swim business, owners take risks to stay competitive. Look at the Utah Jazz & Andrei Kirilenko. Of course hindsight is always 20/20, but when the Jazz were faced with the decision to pay up for (what seemed to be) the most dynamic player in the NBA, or let him walk & return to starting Quincy Lewis at Small Forward, it didn’t seem like there was any choice. So what would happen if players were actually held accountable for the contracts they signed in the same way owners are? After all, I’ve never seen an owner just stop paying a player half way through a contract, but I’ve sure seen players stop playing. I’m tired of watching players sign huge deals while basically giving owners the finger as they walk out of the room. What if teams were able to release Gilbert Arenas, Eddy Curry, Tim Thomas, Greg Ostertag, Rashard Lewis, Brandon Roy and Michael Redd? What would that do to the competitive balance of the league if every player knew that if they didn’t produce, they may not have it made for the next 6 years? Also, would the ability to cut high paid, non-contributing players help teams like Washington, Orlando, Portland, and Milwaukee free up cap space to replace talent and remain competitive? I know what I think, but again, I’ll let you decide.

So wouldn’t that be nice to pattern the NBA after a proven, successful system of the NFL and begin to create some real balance? Is it unfair for fans of all teams to be able to feel realistic in their desire for winning? I guess so. Instead, all we get to listen to is how “unfair” offers have been that continue to provide players guaranteed millions over multiple years.  I admit, during the lockout I’ve at times been the 7-year old in the back of the van asking over and over “are we there yet?” But with what appears to be the players’ and owners’ inability to recognize the fan in all of the negotiations, I see myself growing into a punk teenager in that same van; headphones in & eyes closed. Wake me up when we get there.

In the midst of an unpromising lockout, Jazz fans everywhere can only wait and wish about the future of the young team they cheer for. As hard as I try to force myself to become some die hard women’s soccer fan or an MLB junkie, I mostly just spend time letting my mind wander into some Jazz-related fantasy world. With this article, I cordially invite you to join me to part two of my latest dream land, namely where would current Jazz players be if there was no NBA?

C.J. Miles would make a nice first basemen in the MLB. He would be a nice big target for infielders to throw at the bag and could be a strong cleanup hitter in the lineup. MLB teams love power left-handed hitters, and with Miles’ ability to use both hands on the court, I imagine that would translate nicely into teeing off on a hanging curve out over the plate. Also, Miles could be one of few power hitters that could actually run the bases. Such a luxury in the MLB is like having a big man that can shoot free throws in the NBA. Derek Lee has been one of baseball’s best first basemen over the past decade. He stands 6’5 and weighs 235. Sounds like it could be right up C.J.’s alley.

Devin Harris would be an electric kick and punt returner in the NFL. We all know he’s very fast, but Harris’ ability to get to the rim in transition requires more than just speed. Harris finds gaps very well and uses his quickness to burst right through them, a skill that separates the men from the boys in the world of kick returning . After all, all kick return men in the league are fast, but not all of them know how to use their quickness to break free for the distance. Had Devin Harris opted for a different sport, perhaps he would have beaten Dante Hall to one of the coolest nick names in sports; the human joystick.

Ronnie Price’s athleticism would make him a really good center fielder. Price is a risk taker on the basketball court, which would make for some nice web gems for Price on baseball tonight. Price would thrive on diving catches, scaling walls to try to rob home runs, and gunning guys down at the plate. I have no idea how Ronnie would do at the plate, but if he could find his way to first base, he would be a dangerous base runner. Curtis Granderson is a guy that comes to mind for Ronnie Price, and we all know how that investment is paying off for the Yankees.

This is an easy one, but Enes Kanter would be (and likely one day will be) a WWE superstar.  Enes Kanter has a very fun personality, one that is made for the entertainment industry. Enes (does not rhyme with Venus, rather with Dennis) was all smiles on draft night and his interviews nearly stole the show. The excitement had hardly worn off the next day when Kanter said he “wishes he could get drafted everyday”. When asked by David Locke what he will bring to the Utah Jazz, Enes replied; “I like to play toughness.” His fondness of ‘playing toughness’ is exactly what it takes to win a 16 man battle royal. With his fun personality, politeness, and great charisma, there’s no surprise that the people in Kentucky loved him last year in spite of the fact that he never even played. Imagine the fan base the UnderKanter will have when he’s on Monday night Nitro every week!

Robert Johnson, Ogden Standard Examiner

Mehmet Okur’s soft touch from just about anywhere on the court would make him a world class curler. Have you ever noticed how softly those guys release the stones from their hands as their fellas begin escorting it down the ice? Memo’s shooting touch would translate nicely into a great curler. Besides, I’m sure Turkey’s on the market for some new curlers.

Finally, Jeremy Evans would be an incredible volleyball player. I can’t even imagine what it would be like trying to meet this guy at the net. Not only does Evans get up, but he elevates faster than anybody I have ever seen. Having an outsider hitter like Evans would be a setter’s dream; just lob the ball out wide, make sure it’s high enough, and let Evans do the rest. I’m not sure what the record for kills and/or blocks are in a single volleyball game, but I’d have to think Evans would break it.

Thanks for joining me on this trip to fantasy land as we suffer through a miserable lockout. I never realized how much I like the NFL until a new CBA was reached and I started getting excited about football again. I hope this has the same effect on Jazz nation, that when a new CBA is agreed upon (which hopefully happens in reasonable time), we come back stronger and prouder than ever.

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Jimmer’s all-star game has officially come and gone. What did we learn? Well, nothing really, but it was fun to see some of the best ex-college players/soon to be NBA rookies showcase their skills in what was the closest thing to an NBA game we might experience ‘til 2012. It was flashy, it was sloppy, and very over-hyped, but with what we currently have on our plate, it ought to be worth speculating about. Who impressed, who unimpressed, and whose rap album will never find its way on my iPod?

Those who impressed

Kenneth Faried – PF, Denver Nuggets

The most active, athletic, and NBA-ready talent on the court was undoubtedly Kenneth Faried. Faried’s offensive game leaves a ton to be desired but he makes up for it in virtually every other aspect of the game. Faried seemed to be one of those players that somehow is always in the right place at the right time. He is relentless down low on both sides of the court and runs the floor as well as any PF in the league today. After watching tonight’s event, I’d say Denver should feel ok about Kenyon Martin’s departure to China.

Kawhi Leonard – SF, San Antonio Spurs

Leonard has reportedly added 15 pounds of muscle and looks physically ready to compete on any level. Leonard’s ability to score, rebound, and defend looked effortless. In today’s NBA, teams struggle mightily to find ways to match up athletically with the LeBrons, the Rudy Gays, the Andre Igoudalas and the Kevin Durrants of the league. Kawhi Leonard appears to be as good a candidate as any to guard the other team’s best player/athlete night in and night out. If Kawhi continues to improve his outside jump shot, the Spurs will, as usual, appear as the winner of last year’s draft.

Malcolm Lee – SG, Minnesota Timberwolves

Malcolm Lee = Wesley Matthews 2.0. Last year, Malcolm Lee earned the reputation of being perhaps the best perimeter defender in the draft. After watching the all-star game, I would concur. I’ve never seen anyone defend Jimmer Fredette the way Lee did. I first watched Malcolm Lee play at UCLA midway through last season, and the first thing I thought of was how similar he looked to Wesley Matthews. I absolutely LOVE this kid’s game and think he’s in to surprise many people.

Tobias Harris – SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks

I’ve never been much of a fan until I saw him play in person. Harris surprised me with his ability to do it all. He can shoot from outside, get into the paint, get to the line, and defend multiple positions on the floor. Harris’ biggest issue will be finding his NBA position. He’s currently a bit of a tweener, but there’s no doubt he has the skill set to develop into a nice player in this league.

Isaiah Thomas – PG, Sacramento Kings

This little guy had the Jimmer-crazed crowd chanting for his return to the game due to his electric style of play. After the game, Thomas had the quote of the night; “I’ve never been out here before, but after that, I’ve got to make a few more trips. It was weird, but they love me and I love them. The crowd was unbelievable.” Thomas’ first step is lightning, and his fun-spirited, me-against-the-world style of play (a la fellow former Dawg Nate Robinson) will carry this small man through a big league.

Kemba Walker – PG, Charlotte Bobcats

We’ve all heard the joke about why LeBron James can’t break a dollar? -Because he only has three quarters. Well if that’s true, consider Kemba Walker the anti-LBJ. I’m still not completely sold on Kemba’s future as an NBA player as I have no idea how he will play for 3 quarters of every game, but his ability to turn in up when the lights come on at the end of the game is remarkable. Walker’s role in the all-star game was quiet until the 4^th quarter when he absolutely could not be stopped for a 5 minute stretch that put the game out of reach for team Jimmer.

 Those who unimpressed

Jimmer Fredette – PG, Sacramento Kings

Jimmer Fredette’s performance was perhaps the most telling performance of anybody’s of the night. This was the first time we’ve had the chance to see Fredette play against an entire team of NBA talent, and Fredette was noticably frustrated for the better part of the game. Fredette was by no means bad, nor am I worried about his career in the NBA, but Jimmer is simply going to have to learn to be effective without the ball in his hands. I counted one play during the entire game where one of Fredette’s teammates broke down the defense and found Jimmer for a spot-up 3. Fredette cashed in on the triple and showed a glimpse of exactly what I think he’ll make his money doing; spreading the floor and killing defenses that get lazy. It was obvious, however, that Jimmer’s matchup against strong defenders such as Malcolm Lee (this wasn’t the first time Lee’s faced and frustrated Jimmer) will make things awfully difficult for him to create the scoring opportunities he’s used to.

 Chris Singleton – SF, Washington Wizards

Finding a spot for Chris Singleton in this article was difficult as his defense was every bit as good as advertised. Singleton is big, strong, athletic, and can really get off the floor to contest shots. This skill set and versatility was displayed as I saw Singleton successfully defend four different positions on the floor. Although this was nice to see, Singleton’s offense was probably the primary reason team Jimmer got blown out like they did. During the combine, I heard Singleton had been working really hard to improve his outside shot. If this is true, I do not want to see what it looked like before. I get that anyone can have a bad shooting night, but Singleton’s inability to adjust for his 2 for 6,000 shooting percentage from deep really cost his team.

Bismack Biyombo – C, Charlotte Bobcats

Five minutes into the game, I leaned over to my neighbor and claimed Biyombo to be the NBA’s next lottery bust. Although I was ultimately unimpressed with his performance, he changed my mind by game’s end. Biyombo did a nice job getting better as the game went on and learned how to attack different matchups he was given. His offensive game is nothing short of non-existent, but he must have altered every single shot that came down the lane. I remained unimpressed, however, due to the fact that the biggest defender Biyombo had to face was the 6-7, grossly under-sized Kenneth Faried. With such a physical advantage, I felt Biyombo could have left a much bigger print on the game than he actually did.

TJ Fredette – Rapper, New York

TJ Fredette pleasantly surprised the audience with a rap concert [Editor's note: 'Pleasantly surprised' is a euphemism.] during halftime with his sidekick MC Octagon (you know I have to give Octagon a shout!). TJ felt it “would only be right” if he gave the crowd a “sneak peak” at a song off his soon-to-be-released album. I can’t remember what the song was called, nor did I catch a single word of it, but it sure got me pumped for the third quarter to start.

If you saw the game, share your opinion! Let us know what you thought.

Oh, and is the lockout over yet?!

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Amidst the current labor stoppage, I have been doing my fair share of thinking/appreciating how nice it’s been to be a Jazz fan. Sure, we’ve never won an NBA championship, but ask yourself this; how many NBA franchises would have been better to cheer for over the last 20 years than the Jazz? Chicago, LA Lakers, San Antonio and probably Dallas for sure. Then you have other teams that have won a championship or two but endured miserable years before or since those championships, such as Boston, Houston, Miami, and Detroit. Value those as you may, but as a fan, a few great seasons every 20 years surrounded by disaster would not keep me as interested as a team that is in playoff contention every single year. Having said that, this last season shows exactly why the Jazz have been competitive for all these years. They are a forward thinking organization with a commitment to their community to stay competitive.

As time goes on, I find it exciting to start adding names to the Deron Williams trade. As it stands, the Jazz traded Williams for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter, with another young stud hopefully just around the corner. Outside of Devin Harris, there remains to be a lot of question marks around the other three pieces. The future draft pick is still a total unknown, your guess on Derrick Favors’ success in the NBA is as good as mine (although for the record, I’m a huge fan), and Enes Kanter hasn’t even played competitively in years, until recently. With the Eurobasket just around the corner, Turkey has played four exhibition games, giving Kanter some burn in each of those four games.

As to be expected, Enes looked very rusty, and in some ways, like a fish out of water on the court. His reaction times were slow and he seemed to be thinking his way through the game rather than just playing. He didn’t have much of a clue how to rotate defensively, he seemed to panic a bit when he had the ball, and appeared to be a step slow at times. But in his most recent game against Germany, Kanter finally showed us what he looks like when he’s comfortable out there and just plays. He was extremely aggressive, a fantastic rebounder, and runs the floor beautifully. You can forget all Mehmet Okur comparisons you may have ever heard and should maybe start thinking more along the lines of a 6’11, more likable version of…Carlos Boozer. The most impressive thing I saw about Kanter, something that I think draws the Boozer comparison, is his ability/desire/motivation (whatever it is) that makes him leave his area to grab rebounds. Jefferson, Okur, and Millsap are all decent rebounders, but none of them would leave their area to go chasing after a rebound like Enes seems to do. So why is this such great news? Well, unless your name is Reggie Evans or Dennis Rodman, a 10 rebound a night guy usually means at least 10 points a night as well, and with the skill set Kanter seems to have, there’s no reason to think he couldn’t make that 15-20 points a night.

You don’t need to remind me that it was just one game, but just for fun, here are some stats from that Turkey vs. Germany matchup to show Enes’ performance relative to a few other guys you may have heard of before.

These stats are adjusted per 40 minutes.

Trading a player as good as Deron Williams hurts but is at the same time the kind of move that exactly illustrates why I could count on one hand how many teams’ fans cheer for a more successful organization than I do. Who knows how good Enes Kanter will ever be, but a strong, physical, excellent rebounding 6’11 center that can shoot the ball out to 20 feet sounds ok to me. Now if only we had a young, freakishly athletic, 6’10 PF to complement the bullying Kanter, I’d be welcome to the idea of the next 20 years being similar to the last 20…

In the midst of an unpromising lockout, Jazz fans everywhere can only wait and wish about the future of the young team they cheer for. As hard as I try to force myself to become some die hard women’s soccer fan or an MLB junkie, I mostly just spend time letting my mind wander into some Jazz-related fantasy world. With this article, I cordially invite you to join me to my latest dream land, namely where would current Jazz players be if there was no NBA?

With his size, speed, and footwork, Al Jefferson would be a starting defensive tackle in the NFL. Big Al doesn’t strike me as a guy that struggles to add pounds to his frame, hence the nickname Big Al. With an extra 20 pounds of meat on his bones, I see Al Jefferson as Richard Seymour 2.0.

Paul Millsap would make a fine tight end in the NFL. His physicality and toughness suggests he would be an excellent blocking tight end, and his soft hands leave no doubt that he could make plays down field. Kevin Boss, one of the league’s best young tight ends, is 6’6, 250 pounds. That sounds familiar.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer

If Fransisco Elson wasn’t an NBA basketball player, I would see no better career path for him than as an MMA fighter. He’s big, probably has a mean roundhouse kick, and he’s got some crazy eyes. The Sisco Kid takes no prisoners on the court, a quality of his I see translating very well into the steel cage.

Earl Watson would be a great boxer. He’s got some of the quickest hands around, is extremely feisty, and I’ve yet to see Earl get intimidated by anyone, anywhere. Growing up on the streets of Kansas City, I imagine Earl has seen his share of brawls. With some time to train and dial-in a nice right hook, a Watson vs. Pacquiao match could be worth the always lofty priced Pay-Per-View.

John W. McDonough/SI

Gordon Hayward would be a great quarterback in the NFL. I know he played tennis in high school and is supposed to have been really good, but Hayward’s ability to see the floor, make good reads, and carry a team on his back could have made him the next Tom Brady. Perhaps Hayward would have opted for such had he have known Giselle would be waiting for him after every game at the 50-yard line.

Finally, with Kyrylo Fesenko’s time as a Jazz man most likely on the clock, I feel as though writing a post as worthless as this without mentioning his name would be a failure. I think it’s obvious and goes without saying that if Fes weren’t a basketball player he would be dominating the tables of Texas Hold ‘Em. After all, have you ever encountered a more unpredictable person on this planet than Big Fes? Nobody could call his bluff! I’m no poker expert, but looking across the green felt table at a 7’1 Ukrainian with a huge grin on his face would make me fold like origami.

My apologies to all if this post did nothing more than remind you of how starved we already are for NBA happenings. Take solace in the fact that this lockout won’t last forever. Hayward running the pick n roll with Favors will be back in no time, that is if he doesn’t read this post and change his mind in favor of the NFL of course.

Editors note: This is the final segment in a four part series. Check out Nick’s other posts on Utah’s offseason decisions (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) and let us know what you think the Jazz should do this offseason. – JL

Mehmet Okur – 6’11 C

Associated Press

Current Contract Situation. Mehmet Okur will be paid $10,890,000 next season, which is the last year on his current contract.

Future with the Jazz. Memo’s face in the picture above perfectly sums up his disastrous 2010/2011 season. Okur appeared in just 13 games and played only 168 minutes for the Jazz last season. Memo is a competitor. We often forget that Okur injured his Achilles while trying to play through injury back in Utah’s last first round playoff series against Denver in early 2010. But at the age of 32, it’s not likely Memo will ever fully recover from one of the worst injuries in basketball. Luckily for Okur, his game has never required a great deal of athleticism. He has a decent back to the basket game, is great in pick and pop situations, and is lethal from downtown. Having a big that can stretch the defense has been a huge offensive luxury for the Jazz in years past and could be a real help to Jefferson and Favors if Memo does play again, but with a contract as pricy as Memo’s, that’s an expensive if. Nobody knows how the new CBA will change things, but expiring contracts such as Okur’s have always been attractive trade chips. Although it would make sense to move Okur, I anticipate the Jazz enduring through Okur’s contract the same way they endured through AK’s. I see Okur coming back and being a 12-18 minute a night guy that will average around 6 points and 4 rebounds a game while helping Utah improve their abysmal outside shooting.

Paul Millsap – 6’8 PF

Harry How/Getty Images

Current Contract Situation. Paul Millsap has two years left on his contract as he will make $6,700,000 and 7,200,000 for the next two seasons.

Future with the Jazz. Where do I begin with the current Paul Millsap situation? I feel like I could write an entire article on this topic, oh wait, I already have. The Millsap predicament could be summed up as simply as if he will accept a bench role or not. If so, Millsap will continue on as a huge asset to this team as he provides both on and off the court leadership. If not, hopefully grass is greener on the other side for both Paul and the Jazz. After all, what’s the golden rule when it comes to investing? Buy low and sell high. Millsap’s stock has never been higher, and if he’s not open to being our 6^th man, now might be the perfect time for the Jazz to cash in. As much as I hope Paul will continue his team-first attitude and stay with the Jazz as he could be one of the most valuable bench players in the league and the backbone of our roster, he’s been too territorial over those starting minutes to convince me that he’ll go for it. Getting equal value in return for Paul will be difficult as finding guys that have both the skills and the right attitude is tough to come by, but there’s no doubt he will be heavily shopped and may have even played his last game in a Jazz jersey.

CJ Miles – 6-6 SG

Getty Images

Current Contract Situation. CJ Miles is under contract for one more year next season for $3,700,000.

Future with the Jazz. Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, CJ’s shooting is schizophrenic, and so is his shooting. In 5 years in the league, CJ has yet to show that he can be a consistent contributor. Scoring 40 points in a game is very impressive, but if it’s followed by two weeks of shooting 3-13 from the field, the excitement of that great game quickly wears off. Although it seems like CJ has been in the league forever, he just turned 24 a few months ago, and if he is at all a late bloomer, he has the skill set to still become a very nice player. I hate giving up on a player with such a great body and shooting touch at the age of 24, and so should the Jazz, but I’ve heard from a source close to the team that the Jazz are ready to part ways with Miles. During last week’s draft, the Jazz were reported to be perhaps the most active team on the trade market and are really looking to improve their backcourt. Yes, Utah picked up CJ’s team option, but not because they are believers, rather because his affordable contract and upside would be a nice complement to Harris or Millsap in a deal to land a proven scorer. If Utah doesn’t end up moving Miles, it seems as though he has one year left to prove his worth.

Andrei Kirilenko – 6-9 SF

Tom Smart/Deseret News

Current Contract Situation. Andrei Kirilenko is an unrestricted free agent after collecting $17,822,187 last season.

Future with the Jazz. Andrei’s future with the Jazz solely depends on what Kirilenko’s asking price is. Appraising the value of AK is difficult for some of the same reasons it’s difficult to value CJ. Would you rather have a guy that on a scale of 1 to 10 plays at an 8 level but only plays 60 games a season, or would you rather have a guy who plays on a 6 level but will give it to you every night? While CJ’s problems are with consistency and Andrei’s are with injury, the issue is still the same. When asked about what Andrei is looking for in a new contract, he specifically mentioned that money wasn’t an issue, stating the fact that he already has enough money, which I agree with. He cited living in a good community, playing for a successful organization, and getting playing time as requirements for a new deal. Utah checks out on all of these, but is Andrei really telling the truth? I have a hard time believing Kirilenko will sign a 4 year, $20 million dollar contract with the Jazz when New Jersey (and potentially other teams) could be offering him something in the $50 million dollar range. I wouldn’t mind seeing Andrei back with the Jazz, but only if the price is right. After all, isn’t the last six years of being perhaps the most overpaid player in the league enough to give the Jazz the home team discount for his next contract? As usual in free agency, however, I see somebody grossly over-bidding for Andrei, making the decision easy for him to move on.

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Ever since I was a kid, I can remember Kevin O’Connor talking about how the best strategy in any draft is taking the best player available. The Portland Trailblazers are the perfect bad example of what happens when you start drafting for need as they passed on Michael Jordan and Kevin Durrant because they already had Clyde Drexler and Brandon Roy playing those same positions (in those respective years). With Utah’s dire need to improve their outside shooting and their defense, they did neither. Instead, they drafted the two best players that were available to them at picks 3 and 12.

With the third pick in last night’s draft, the Jazz selected the constant smiling Enes Kanter. Although Kanter couldn’t possibly be more unproven, you’ve got to like what this kid brings to the table. He’s a legit 6’11 and weighs 260 lbs. with 5% body fat. Kanter has really only played one game in the last year, but he sure made that game count. Kanter didn’t just have a good game, he absolutely destroyed the likes of Jared Sullinger and Terrence Jones. Kanter’s footwork, rebounding, and ability to run the court made him look like a man among boys in last year’s Nike Hoops Summit. Offensively, Kanter can do it from inside and out. He has a great touch around the room and his range extends all the way out to the NBA 3-pt line. His defense is a complete unknown, but with a solid work ethic and a perfect NBA body, this is something Kanter can learn. Kanter’s rebounding is his NBA skill. Don’t think of Kanter as a European big, rather an American style player that loves to get hit and play physical inside. In a weak draft like this one, Kanter’s talent level and potential was just too much to ignore. Utah took the best player available to them and now may have a big man that could be a beast in a Jazz jersey for years to come.

With the 12^th pick in last night’s draft, the Jazz selected Alec Burks from Colorado. Before I start complaining about Utah passing on Kawhi Leonard and Chris Singleton, I must hold myself accountable to a tweet I sent out yesterday just hours before the draft;

Having said that, I continue to struggle to find the value Burks adds to the Jazz. As mentioned earlier, the Jazz were one of the worst perimeter teams in the NBA last year; we couldn’t make threes nor could we guard them. Alec Burks has great length and athleticism for a shooting guard, but he’s not much of a defender and his outside shot is bad enough to make a grown man cry. Burks shot just 29% from the college three point line last year, a shot that will now become his mid-range J. Another major concern I have for Burks is his inability to be productive without the ball in his hands as his offensive role with Colorado was somewhat similar to Jimmer Fredette’s with BYU. So add Burks to the crowded list of Devin Harris, Al Jefferson, and Gordon Hayward as players that are at their best when dominating the ball. The Jazz could have greatly benefited by adding a relentless defender and hustler in Kawhi Leonard, but if Burks’ shooting can improve, the rest of his game has the make up for him to be a very good, Brandon Roy type player. Until the jump shot improves however, his inability to score from outside will really hurt the Jazz’ floor spacing and will continue to make things difficult for Jefferson, Favors, Kanter and Millsap inside. Perhaps the memory of Kobe Bryant just completely ignoring Ronnie Brewer and double teaming whomever he wanted for the entire playoff series is still too fresh on mind to be excited about this pick. But don’t worry Jazz fans, I’d be willing to bet the farm Kevin O’Connor knows something I don’t, and hopefully two years from now, this article of mine looks like the biggest blasphemy since the doubters of John Stockton. Perhaps not a great fit, the Jazz stuck to their guns and took the best player available to them at 12. After all, Portland’s experience shows us it’s the way to go.

[Editor's Note: As most of us continue to prepare/argue about draft picks, Salt City Hoops remains interested in the state of the current roster!  Who stays, who goes, and how bright are their respective futures? Join us for part 3 of Nick Smith's 4 part series. - JL]

PART 1 and PART 2

Earl Watson – 6’1 PG

Current Contract Situation. Earl Watson signed a one-year deal last summer with the Utah Jazz for the veteran’s minimum $1,229,255. He enters this off-season a free agent.

Future with the Jazz. I have no idea how Earl Watson made it ten years in the league before landing with the Jazz. Earl found his niche as a hard-nosed, pesky defender back in college and became the all-time leader in steals in UCLA school history. Earl possesses great quickness, and although not a dangerous three point shooter, has a solid mid-range game. He lacks some play-making abilities that other point guards in the league have, but Watson was the best back-up point guard the Jazz have seen in years. Despite having a miserable year off the court, Earl stayed focused throughout the season and made appearances in all but two games. He picked up the Jazz’ complex offense exceptionally fast and did a nice job in the starting lineup during extended periods of injuries for both Deron Williams and Devin Harris. With a very young roster, the Jazz need veteran players to provide locker room leadership and on-court confidence, and Earl Watson delivered just that. As for Watson’s future, the Jazz would be making a big mistake to let this veteran walk, especially if they select a point guard with one of their lottery picks. Earl would be a great mentor to the Jazz’ young roster as he was to Gordon Hayward this last season. Although I try to avoid using Matt Harping sayings at all costs, look for Watson to be back in a Jazz uniform next season tossing Early-Oops left and right.

Raja Bell – 6-5 SG

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Current Contract Situation. Last July, Raja Bell signed a 3 year deal with the Jazz worth nearly $10 million. He collected $3,000,000 last season, and is due $3.2 and $3.5 million for seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, respectively.

Future with the Jazz. It’s no secret Raja was a huge disappointment last season, even Raja has admitted that. He never really found his jump shot, he struggled to be consistent with the sporadic minutes (according to Raja) he was given, and has lost a lot of that defensive lock-down ability that made him such an attractive free agent back in July. In essence, the Jazz didn’t land the Kobe-stopping, sharp-shooter they were hoping for. Instead, they signed a 34 year old SG who was suddenly just a mediocre defender that really had a hard time contributing on the offensive end. It’s difficult to project how a player at Raja’s age will bounce back from perhaps the worst season of his career, but I have a hunch Jazz fans won’t be the ones watching it. Raja’s name surfaced in February trade deadline chatter as a few teams showed interest in acquiring the 10-year veteran. Raja is a total pro and would never quit on any team he was under contract with, but the departure of Jerry Sloan really took the wind out of his sails as Bell previously admitted that playing for Coach Sloan was the primary reason he was interested in returning to Utah. With Jerry gone and the Jazz in re-building mode, trading Bell or buying him out of his contract may just be the best option for both parties. With the Jazz’ track record of finding diamonds in the rough late in the draft, acquiring a second round pick in exchange for Raja would be ideal.

Ronnie Price – 6-2 PG

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Current Contract Situation. Ronnie Price is a free agent after collecting $1,380,000 for last season’s services.

Future with the Jazz. Ronnie Price is a total class act and a fan favorite, but so was Kyle Korver.  Unfortunately for Ronnie, the NBA is an organization of teams that must value winning over player likability. If you don’t believe the Jazz are one of those teams, perhaps the recent departure of one Ashton Kutcher look-a-like will remind you that they are. At the beginning of the season, it seemed Ronnie’s success playing alongside Earl Watson helped established him in the Jazz’ bench rotation. The tandem of guards wreaked havoc in the backcourt and were the main spark in many of the Jazz’ come-from-behind victories. Ronnie did everything the Jazz asked him to do and performed up to expectations by most accounts. Ronnie is a very consistent player, one where a team knows exactly what they’re going to get from him; toughness, hustle, athleticism, competitiveness, a bad shooter, questionable decision maker, etc. The question now becomes, is there a need here for the Jazz? The answer may just come the night of the NBA draft. Under the assumption the Jazz plan to re-sign Earl Watson, if Utah drafts a point guard with one of their two first-round picks, Price is likely to be the odd man out. But would that really be so bad? I often question if Jazz faithful have overly embraced Ronnie Price just because he played at UVSC. Without these ties, would fans be begging for his departure – Jarron Collins style? After all, Ronnie Price’s PER is an unbelievably inefficient 5.5! I don’t see Ronnie Price back with the Jazz next season, which in ways is sad as it would have been fun to see two guys from colleges in Utah County on the same team, if you catch my drift.

Kyrylo Fesenko – 7-1 C

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Current Contract Situation.  Kyrylo Fesenko signed a one-year deal last summer with the Jazz worth $1,087,500. He enters this off-season a free agent.

Future with the Jazz. If Ronnie Price is Mr. Predictable, Mr. Consistent, a player who you know exactly what you’re going to get from him every night, Kyrylo Fesenko is the anti-Price. I’ve seen him lock down on players like Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, and Nene, yet the very next game he can look like he’s not sure what team he’s playing for and spends most of his time on the court trying to figure that out. Fes’ potential is extremely high; has GREAT size, moves well for his size, blocks shots, rebounds, and protects the rim by altering shots. His greatest weaknesses (i.e. foul prone, inconsistent, and often in bad shape) typically result from lack of concentration and preparation. In considering his future value, one must ask if this will ever change. One could argue that a concentration and motivation issue is better than talent problems, citing maturity as a quicker cure than years practicing in the gym. As nice as that sounds, however, Fesenko has had plenty of incentives to start making a name for himself but just hasn’t been able to remain dedicated. For example, with Mehmet Okur out for the entire season, I fully expected Fesenko to find himself a spot in the Jazz’ rotation, and one good season can make a big man with his size a lot of money (see Greg Ostertag, Brendan Haywood, Nazr Mohammed, etc.). The Jazz only giving Fesenko a one-year deal last summer tells me they were open to giving him one last shot to prove himself, and if Fesenko couldn’t grab a roster spot with an injury-riddled front court last season, it’s not likely he ever will. It will be sad to see him go as Fes is a really funny dude, but too much jackpotting around will usually get you fired from any job.

Stay tuned for part 4 of 4 of this series as I predict how the Jazz rebuilding process will change the face of this organization, and what that means for the currently longest-tenured Jazz men on the roster; Andrei Kirilenko, C.J. Miles, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur.

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