<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jazz owner Larry H. Miller has made it abundantly clear what he wants from the June 28 NBA Draft. A primo point guard would be perfect. After Tuesday night's NBA Draft Lottery, however, the issue of whether or not the Jazz have the means to get one is another matter altogether. Wake Forest University's Chris Paul and the University of Illinois' Deron Williams could both be gone by the time the Jazz pick at No. 6, popular prognostication currently suggests. Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's senior vice president of basketball operations, even scoffed when asked if his draft board leads him to believe Utah could land a point it likes with the sixth selection. "Whether it's a point guard or not, we'll try to get the best player," he snapped. "Let's not pigeon-hole us into drafting positions." Yet there may be ways to land one of the draft's two premier points. One would be by trading up, something Jazz brass seems willing to consider. "We'll explore all opportunities," O'Connor said. "But we do that every year." Sometimes, they're able to swing a deal.</div> <div align="center">Source</div>
Ray Felton isn't exactly a bad consolation prize either, all three guys have the tools to be the best point guard from this draft in seasons to come. Unfortunately for the Jazz, three teams above them need point guards. If Bogut goes as expected to Atlanta, then Paul is Atlanta-bound, and New Orleans and Charlotte will probably grab Williams and Felton. However, if Milwaukee grab Williams, then Atlanta will probably take Bogut, and Portland don't need a point guard having entrusted in Telfair. Then it would get interesting.
Jazz could trade up with Portland <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With the sixth pick in the 1965 NBA draft, the Baltimore Bullets selected Jerry Sloan from little Evansville College. Exactly 40 years later, the Jazz would love to do as well. After Tuesday night's NBA lottery disappointment, Utah officially owns the No. 6 pick in this year's draft. The Jazz only can hope to find a player with the ability, passion and competitiveness of Sloan, who broke into pro basketball with Baltimore, became an All-Star in Chicago and ended up coaching in Utah for nearly two decades. But is that possible? Hard to say. While the Jazz won't have a shot at the Big Three in the June 28 draft - University of Utah center Andrew Bogut, North Carolina forward Marvin Williams and Wake Forest point guard Chris Paul - their search for the No. 6 pick could end up focusing on six players. If Utah is intent on filling what owner Larry Miller has called its biggest need, point guards who might be available are Illinois' Deron Williams, North Carolina's Raymond Felton and Georgia Tech's Jarret Jack. If the Jazz look elsewhere, foreign-born power-types including Spain's Fran Vazquez, Lithuania's Martynas Andriuskevicus and Brazil's Tiago Splitter are possibilities. Deron Williams would be the top prize of this group.</div> <div align="center">Source</div> If the Jazz try to make a trade with Portland, they have to make sure they don't give up to much. The Jazz want Deron Williams, and it's unlikely he gets drafted with one of the top 3 picks. If Deron Williams goes to either New Orleans or Charlotte with the 4th or 5th picks, the Jazz should try to work a trade with the team that drafts him. Similar to what they did in acquiring Curtis Borchardt.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Stockton:</div><div class="quote_post"><div align="center">Source</div> If the Jazz try to make a trade with Portland, they have to make sure they don't give up to much. The Jazz want Deron Williams, and it's unlikely he gets drafted with one of the top 3 picks. If Deron Williams goes to either New Orleans or Charlotte with the 4th or 5th picks, the Jazz should try to work a trade with the team that drafts him. Similar to what they did in acquiring Curtis Borchardt.</div> I actually think that trading to the #3 is excellent strategy. That way you get Paul if Atlanta picks Marvin Williams, and you get Deron Williams if Atlanta picks Chris Paul. Who says Deron isn't worth a top three pick? It's the safest way to go from the Jazz' perspective.
I think trading up to Portland will be the best scenerio for them. Would trading Snyder with their pick be too much? The Blazers had great interest in Kirk Snyder last year, but elected to take Telfair instead because they thought he was gonna be gone by their 22nd pick. They could him this year if they arrange some with the Jazz involving their picks. Snyder probably has the brightest future among Giricek, Harpring and Bell, but they need a PG who will anchor the team. If Snyder isn't too much (along with their pick) then how does 6th Pick+Kirk Snyder and possibly a 2nd rounder for Portlands 3rd pick, sound? However, one problem in this deal, is who the Blazers will draft with the 6th pick? They'd be getting Snyder, who will be their future starting SG or possibly trade bait. If they believe adding Green as a SF will be a sucess, then I think they would do it. Another option is drafting Martell Webster at the SF who is more ready, and has NBA body for the 2 and/or 3 spot. They could also elect on draftin Andriuskevicius, but I would stay away from him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">I actually think that trading to the #3 is excellent strategy. That way you get Paul if Atlanta picks Marvin Williams, and you get Deron Williams if Atlanta picks Chris Paul. Who says Deron isn't worth a top three pick? It's the safest way to go from the Jazz' perspective.</div> That would be a good way to go, but Sloan probably will rate Deron Williams higher than Paul because Williams is taller, stronger, and is a pass first PG.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">I think trading up to Portland will be the best scenerio for them. Would trading Snyder with their pick be too much? The Blazers had great interest in Kirk Snyder last year, but elected to take Telfair instead because they thought he was gonna be gone by their 22nd pick. They could him this year if they arrange some with the Jazz involving their picks. Snyder probably has the brightest future among Giricek, Harpring and Bell, but they need a PG who will anchor the team. If Snyder isn't too much (along with their pick) then how does 6th Pick+Kirk Snyder and possibly a 2nd rounder for Portlands 3rd pick, sound? However, one problem in this deal, is who the Blazers will draft with the 6th pick? They'd be getting Snyder, who will be their future starting SG or possibly trade bait. If they believe adding Green as a SF will be a sucess, then I think they would do it. Another option is drafting Martell Webster at the SF who is more ready, and has NBA body for the 2 and/or 3 spot. They could also elect on draftin Andriuskevicius, but I would stay away from him.</div> I remember Sloan complaining about Snyder last season and didn't think he worked hard enough to learn the offense. If the Jazz re-sign Raja Bell, there's really no need for Snyder on the team. Both Raja and Giri are more than enough to play SG for the Jazz next season. Trading him along with their pick to move up and get the player they really want should be worth it for the Jazz to consider. The Blazers are after a SG in this draft and they want Gerald Green. It's tough to see Gerald Green slip past the Hornets and Bobcats and be available at #6. A lot will depend on who the Hawks take as well. If the Hawks draft Marvin Williams, there will be less interest for the Blazers #3 pick and Chris Paul, GG, or Deron Williams. However, if the Blazers #3 pick will land them or someone else Marvin Williams, the Blazers should have plenty of options to consider.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Jazz might also explore trading up, if they want a point guard. And Utah might have the means to do it. Besides picking sixth in the draft, the Jazz own the 27th pick in the first round. It's possible vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor could try to package the two picks and jump up far enough to get Williams. Portland is a possible trade partner. The Blazers own the No. 3 pick, but they made a major commitment to rookie point guard Sebastian Telfair last season. If the Trail Blazers decide they don't want Paul or Deron Williams, they might be willing to move down for the right price. O'Connor's two first-rounders could be enough to get Portland's No. 3 pick. He could even throw in one of the Jazz's three second-round picks, if the Jazz think Williams can be a top-flight quarterback in the NBA. Neither Felton nor Jack will go as high as Williams, but both almost certainly will be scrutinized by the Jazz because they will be available at No. 6. Felton and Jack played against one another in the rugged Atlantic Coast Conference - so did Wake Forest's Paul - and bring the same qualities to the table: quickness, scoring ability and potential, since both still had one year of collegiate eligibility remaining. If the Jazz end up passing on point guards, their attention will turn to players like Vazquez, Andriuskevicus and Splitter. All are young and raw, but own the kind of size and potential that make them intriguing picks. </div> Source This article also suggests the Jazz and Blazers dealing on draft day.
I can see Utah making a trade with Portland, because they really want Deron Williams. If they don't get him they might cry ( I know I would). He's the next Stockton for the next 2 decades. He's one of the few players that play with heart that's in the lottery.
Portland isn't in love with any of the players they could get with their pick so I wouldn't be suprised if they make a deal involving that pick. If the Jazz did get that pick, I think they could land Chris Paul making everyone happy.
