NBA Draft 2011: Derrick Williams and 10 Players for the Utah Jazz in Round 1
The Utah Jazz had a rough 2010-11 season.
They lost All-Star point guard Deron Williams. They lost their Hall-of-Fame head coach, Jerry Sloan. And, on top of all that, they missed the playoffs.
But, maybe, things are starting to turn around for the Jazz.
On Tuesday night, they were awarded the third overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. For a team that was just barely in the lottery, that's not a bad thing.
Oh, and they also own the 12th overall pick.
If things go according to plan, they might be able to replace one D-Will (Deron Williams) with another (Derrick Williams).
Here are 10 players the Jazz should target with their first-round picks in the 2011 NBA Draft.
10. Marcus Morris, F, Kansas
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Morris is a beast down low.
He’s a big, physical presence who could help supplement Utah’s front line of Paul Millsap, Mehmet Okur and Al Jefferson.
Morris could end up being the best defender out of the four and he can knock down a mid-range jumper.
Playing him with Derrick Favors would give the Jazz a very solid young group of forwards.
9. Tristan Thompson, C, Texas
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Thompson is another low-post guy who could give the Jazz a legitimate shot-blocking presence.
He would also intimidate smaller guys who think they can drive the lane against him.
And maybe the Jazz can help him develop a Dwight Howard-esque style of offense.
8. Nolan Smith, G, Duke
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Smith is a winner. He does what it takes to push his team to victory.
Though he’d only be a rookie in 2011, it’d be like adding a veteran presence to the locker room.
And he’s versatile. He can back up Devin Harris and Raja Bell at the guard positions.
7. Alec Burks, G, Colorado
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Burks is another versatile guard.
He’s probably a better pure scorer than Smith, but Smith is a better distributor.
Plugging Burks into the shooting guard role would be a smart move for the Jazz.
6. Jordan Hamilton, F, Texas
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Hamilton is a logical replacement for Andrei Kirilenko.
He can score from anywhere and create his own shot when he needs to.
He’ll need to take fewer shots with the Jazz, but he could still be a valuable addition.
5. Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego State
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The 6’7” Leonard rebounds really well.
He averaged nearly 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Aztecs last season.
Adding a good rebounder at the small forward position to help out an undersized front line would help the Jazz.
4. Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU
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Jimmer should be around when it’s Utah’s turn to pick at No. 12.
They pretty much have to take him at that spot.
A pure scorer, Jimmer would also revitalize the fanbase and bring a lot of energy to a team that struggled at the end of the 2010-11 season.
3. Kemba Walker, G, UConn
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Walker is another pure scorer who can help the Jazz.
He can create a shot for himself from anywhere on the floor.
Where he differs from Jimmer is that he’s a slightly better distributor.
He’ll get his teammates more involved than Jimmer will.
2. Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky
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Devin Harris is a good point guard, but Knight has the potential to be a lot better.
He can learn the ropes from Harris in 2011-12, then take over in 2012-13.
If Derrick Williams is off the board, Knight would be the best pick for the Jazz.
1. Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
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Williams would fill the need the Jazz have at small forward.
Though he’s only 6’8”, he could also fill in at power forward when Paul Millsap heads to the bench.
He has a great post game and is probably the second-best player in this draft class. He’d be a smart pick for the Jazz at No. 3.
