NBA Draft 2011: Final Draft-Day Thoughts for the Utah Jazz

After all of the speculation, all of the mock drafts and all of the argument regarding who is better, who will play where and which team will draft which player, the NBA Draft is finally here.

Later today, the months of wondering which moves each team will make will finally be made known to all of us.

Done are the workouts, done are the tests and evaluations and done is the debate over where Jimmer will land.

While this may not be the strongest draft class ever, there will be some quality players that will make an impact in the NBA for a long time.

Before the draft begins, however, and we turn our attention to draft grades, evaluating trades and possibly hunting down the team general manager, let's take one more look at the options the Utah Jazz have with the draft and during this off season.

The Picks and the Prospects

Since the time of the NBA Draft Lottery, Jazz fans have been excited about having the third overall selection in the draft. As a bonus, they also have the 12th pick.

Since that time, not a day has passed that there has not been a debate on who should be drafted.

After all of the evaluations, it comes down to two players for the Jazz.

If all goes as expected and the Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving with the first selection, and the Minnesota Timberwolves pick Derrick Williams with the second, the Jazz will choose between Enes Kanter and Brandon Knight.

Many believe that Kanter would be the best player available at that point, but the Jazz need a point guard.

That point guard would be Brandon Knight.

With the 12th pick, the Utah Jazz have many options, many of which depends on what the teams ahead of them do.

Many Jazz fans hope that BYU's Jimmer Fredette is available, while many are looking for a defensive player. The Jazz may also trade out of that pick and wait until a stronger draft class comes along.

Don't be surprised to see the Jazz not use this pick on a player and come out of the draft with only one player selected.

The Possibility of a Trade

The last time the Jazz pulled off a draft day trade, they moved up to select Deron Williams. They gave up very little in exchange for what turned out to be the two time All-Star.

Following the trade deadline that saw the Jazz trade away Deron Williams, Jazz fans have to be aware of the possibility of another player leaving the team.

According to a report in the Deseret News, Jazz GM Kevin O'Conner has said that no Jazz players are off limits for trades.

So does this mean that the Jazz could try to move up to the first or second pick? Would they try to package a deal for a player such as Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson and try to improve the team?

If a trade is a serious possibility, let's hope it turns out to be as good as the one that brought Deron Williams to the Jazz.

The Rumors

With this draft class being considered weaker than other classes, there will be teams that will want to move up.

Some reports have the Wizards wanting to move up to select Enes Kanter who has made it known that he wants to play in Washington.

There is a possibility that the Jazz could select Kanter at three and then make a trade. If they felt that Brandon Knight would be available in the six spot, that trade could happen.

Teams outside the top 10 will be trying to move up, and some teams, such as the Timberwolves who may want to move down.

According to a report last night on ESPN Sportscenter, the San Antonio Spurs have been shopping veteran point guard Tony Parker to teams with higher picks in the draft. This includes the Utah Jazz.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly offered the Timberwolves Lamar Odom for the second overall pick. They are targeting Derrick Williams. If Williams slides to the Jazz, do they make that deal for a proven Odom?

Throughout the day there will be multiple rumors and options that may present themselves for the Utah Jazz.

If the decision were yours, what would you do? Do any of these rumors look good? Do you have a different scenario to add to the list. Do you go for a veteran, or do you keep the pick and develop a young guy?

Condolences to Jimmer Fans in Utah

Let me be the first to offer my condolences to the Jimmer Fredette fans who have dreamed of the Utah Jazz drafting him in this draft.

It is not going to happen.

If by some small miracle that the dream scenario for so many fans does come about, I will gladly be the first to eat my words.

We all know the arguments for and against drafting Jimmer Fredette. We know about his offense, his defense, his quickness, etc.

Despite how good of a fit he may or may not be, I don't see the Jazz taking Fredette. They will not pick him in the third spot, and there is a very good chance that he will not be available at 12.

Reports indicate that the Sacramento Kings are interested in him, and could take him with the seventh pick. Other teams such as the Pacers and the Knicks may also try to move up to take him. Even the Charlotte Bobcats could pick him up in the top ten. One never knows who they are going to pick.

So with Jimmer going to another team, buy your tickets early to see the Jimmer show. The Jazz will be able to count on a sellout on the nights that he comes to town.

Turning to Free Agency

Following the NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz will turn it's attention to free agency. While it has historically been difficult to bring players to Utah, there are several players that the Jazz must target and try to talk into coming to Utah.

The list of possible free agents includes:

• Wilson Chandler
• Jamal Crawford
• Shane Battier
• Jason Richardson
• Tayshaun Prince
• J.R. Smith
• Caron Butler

The Jazz must also address the issue of what they want to do with their own free agents, Andrei Kirilenko and C.J. Miles.

Do the Jazz pick up the option on Miles? How much do they offer Kirilenko? Will he be with the team next season, or do they allow him to go without a fight?

It will be a fun off season to watch and see what the Jazz will do with the many options that they have, and it all starts tonight with the NBA Draft.

Whatever they decide to do, one thing is for certain. We will all be talking about it for a very long time.

Chris Johstoneaux is a contributor to Bleacher Report who usually covers the NBA and Major League Soccer. If you liked this article, please take a moment to leave me a comment and follow me on Twitter @JazzRSLExaminer.