[Bryan88]

Who do you think the Jazz will be targeting with the 23rd pick? If I were the Jazz I would target one of the bigs that falls out of the teens.

DraftExpress: NBA Team Needs: Northwest Division

Utah Jazz (54-28 in 2007-0

Draft Picks: No. 23, No. 44, No. 53

Depth Chart:

PG: Deron Williams / Ronnie Price / Jason Hart
SG: Ronnie Brewer / Kyle Korver / C.J. Miles*
SF: Andrei Kirilenko / Matt Harpring / Morris Almond
PF: Carlos Boozer / Paul Millsap*
C: Mehmet Okur / Jarron Collins / Kyrylo Fesenko

*Potential free agent

Could use help at: PF/C, Depth

Bottom line: Utah has emerged as one of the powers of the Western Conference, and while they don’t have the firepower of the Lakers or Spurs right now, they may have more longevity. The team doesn’t have any major holes, nor is its nucleus all that old at this point. Jerry Sloan has his team playing great at home, and the team may be a few moves away from being a very real threat to win the championship. However, it may take another team to falter to move Utah into the upper echelon of the West.

Draft outlook: The Jazz aren’t looking to add an immediate starter in the draft, so they can take some liberties that others cannot. For instance, they can take a player like Alexis Ajinca (who they’ve studied extremely closely throughout the season) and let him work on his body before throwing into their rotation. However, it seems more probable that they will add a player that fits in Jerry Sloan’s system. Kevin O’Connor may tab Roy Hibbert as that player. He could earn minutes at center as a rookie and be a nice role player behind Mehmet Okur. They also have to be intrigued by Marreesse Speights if he slips, as players with that combination of physical tools and skills are rarely available that late in the first round. Utah knows it needs to get more athletic in the front-court, and therefore will hope that someone with some bounce in their step becomes available. Serge Ibaka could be a name to look out for, even if they will have to wait a few years before seeing any real dividends. In the second-round, the Jazz may try and take a flyer on a guard. Players like Goran Dragic, Mike Taylor and Kyle Weaver could be available around the 44th slot. Jamont Gordon is another player who could provide versatile depth. At 53, the Jazz may tab a player like Sonny Weems who could be sent down to their D-League team, take and stash an international player, or trade the pick for future considerations.