2011 NBA Draft Grades: Was Enes Kanter Right Pick for the Utah Jazz at No. 3?
The Utah Jazz had two selections in the lottery of the 2011 NBA draft, and the club made major improvements to their long-term outlook by selecting Enes Kanter third overall.
Although the Jazz were thought to be considering Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight with the selection, Kanter boosts an already solid front line of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors.
The Los Angeles Lakers have exercised a strong competitive advantage over the rest of the Western Conference in recent seasons with their incredible size, and it's clear that the Jazz view size as a blueprint for success moving forward.
Kanter's selection will allow the Jazz to play a huge front line, and with Devin Harris already in the fold from the Deron Williams trade to New Jersey, it wasn't surprising to see the Jazz nab Kanter off the board.
Although it might take some time for the Turkish center to adjust to the NBA game, he is an enormous talent blessed with true size and is still growing at just 19 years old.
He will give the team an imposing threat in the post to pair with Jefferson, and it's very possible that Kanter could become the next dominant center in the NBA.
Unafraid to do the dirty work underneath the rim, Kanter should see major minutes in his rookie season even if he doesn't start from the onset. There's a ton to like about Kanter's upside and he lit up the Nike Hoops Summit against some elite competition.
Kanter should almost certainly develop into a double-double guy for Utah. Even if he doesn't develop into a prolific scorer underneath the rim, he does enough to maintain strong value as a starting center and should have no trouble transitioning his game.
Given the other options that the team had in this spot, Kanter was an excellent fit and represents the better option than Knight (who slipped to no. 8) for a Jazz team that is ready to bang down low.
The team is clearly looking to establish a presence in the post in an effort to allow their shooters (Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward) to stretch the floor, and they hit the nail on the head by drafting Kanter.
He could have gained traction to go even higher had he been eligible to play at Kentucky this season, and the Jazz have to be thrilled that he fell into their lap with the third pick.
Kanter probably won't ever be an elite defender because of his lack of length, but he does have a feel for the game both inside and out.
It will be interesting to see if his shot blocking skills develop at the next level, but he does enough on the offensive end to hide his shortcomings defensively.
Kanter will be an impact player in the not too distant future for a Jazz team that could rapidly improve with his addition, and he could really fare well if given the opportunity to readily produce.
It wouldn't be surprising to see him blossom into an All-Star, and he's going to need to hit his stride soon for a Jazz team that really needs him to be the man in the middle that he was touted to be.
