Utah Jazz Mock Draft Roundup 6.0

Adam Hunger USA TODAY Sports

Strange to believe, but the NBA Draft is just three weeks away. What once seemed like it was ages away is now quickly approaching. Without further ado, here is the latest mock draft round up and which each of the sites has the Utah Jazz taking.

ESPN Mock Draft 3.0 (Insider), by Jeff Goodman (updated 05.29)

While Draft guru Chad Ford has not updated his Mock Draft 6.0 in the past two weeks, Jeff Goodman has. Goodman has the Jazz going with Julius Randle at #5 over Noah Vonleh, citing the assumption that Randle has the ability to “bring a toughness and physical presence from the outset” and that he “could coexist with guys such as Derrick Favorsand/or Enes Kanter up front.” At #23, UCLA’s Kyle Anderson is the pick, explaining how he would help Trey Burke facilitate the offense.

Ford did update his Big Board 11.0 (Insider) and inserted a few Utah Jazz mentions:

• He said he doesn’t see guard Dante Exum getting past Utah at #5.
• According to Ford, #5 is also forward Aaron Gordon’s ceiling.
• He feels guard Zach LaVine’s range ends with the Jazz’s #23 pick.
• Utah is a “real option'” for Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis with its second first-round pick.

Sports Illustrated Mock Draft, by Chris Mannix (updated 06.04)

In a scenario (which has gained more steam with his positive workouts), many prognosticators see the Orlando Magic opting for guard Marcus Smart, someone they were rumored to love in the 2013 Draft before he withdrew. Mannix is among that group, as he sees Orlando going with the fiery player at #4. This is something Utah fans would love to see realized, as it would obviously mean one of the top four prospects would drop to #5. In this mock, Mannix has Exum coming to Utah, calling him “a great consolation prize” for missing out on Jabari Parker. He also adds that a “Burke-Exum backcourt could become a dynamic duo.” Cleathony Early is Mannix’s pick at #23, saying he could be a steal should he prove to play small forward at the NBA level.

Draft Express Mock Draft, by Jonathan Givony

Surprisingly no changes on this site, with Utah picked to select Marcus Smart, Kyle Anderson and center Isaiah Austin.

NBA Draft.net Mock Draft (updated 06.04)

This particular mock brings in an interesting mix of players to the Jazz: #5 forward Noah Vonleh, #23 forward Adreian Payne and #35 KJ McDaniels. This trio would add a great deal of shooting, athleticism and basketball talent. Vonleh is a guy who is wowing NBA scouts and front offices with his workouts. Should Utah be unable to move up or should none of that much-touted quartet fall, Vonleh seems to have the most upside. Payne and McDaniels would be steals should they drop to the Jazz’s latter two picks.

CBS Sports Mock Drafts (updated as recently as 06.04)

Gary Parish, Zach Harper and Matt Moore provide their updates, along with a look into the second round. Parish predicts Vonleh, McDaniels and Burke’s college teammate Mitch McGary. Harper goes with Randle, Early and Serbian swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic. Both fun scenarios to ponder, but it’s Moore’s that sticks out. He sees Vonleh moving up the ranks to #3, thus allowing Jabari Parker to slide to #5. Add in guards Elfrid Payton and Jordan Clarkson and Utah fans would be celebrating Christmas in June. Plausible? Not very likely. Still enjoyable to think about, at least momentarily.

Yahoo! Mock Draft, by Marc Spears (updated 05.20)

Another that has remained static. Marc Spears thinks Aaron Gordon and Kyle Anderson would add versatility to Utah’s roster.

Basketball Insiders Mock Draft (updated 06.04)

Basketball Insiders offers a four-f0r-one mock deal, bringing predictions from four of their writers. Alex Kennedy, Joel Bingham, Steve Kyler and Yannis Koutroupis vary between Randle, Gordon and Smart with the fifth pick and three of the four see Jerami Grant being Utah’s guy with the 23rd. Names like Spencer Dinwiddie, Glenn Robinson and Johnny O’Bryant are the choices in the second round.

Sheridan Hoops Mock Draft (updated 06.03)

Joe Kotoch of Sheridan Hoops thinks Vonleh and Anderson would be good additions to the Utah front court.

HoopsHabit Mock Draft (updated 06.03)

How would Jazz faithful feel about a draft that netted Exum, Swiss big man Clint Capela and guard Joe Harris? That what this site has occurring. Capela is an intriguing player who possesses great potential and upside. It does not hurt that he and Rudy Gobert are friends.

MyNBADraft.com Mock Draft (updated 05.29)

Another mock thinking Vonleh and McDaniels are Salt Lake City-bound. Those seem to be very popular choices of late.