NBA Draft 2012: Why the Utah Jazz Must Trade for a First-Round Pick

May 22nd, 2012 by Denim Millward Leave a reply »
A quick flip of a coin effectively dashed the Utah Jazz’ hopes of nabbing a first-round draft pick in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft. 

The Jazz own the rights to the Warriors’ first round pick with the caveat that the Warriors retain the pick if it falls within the top seven.  The Warriors finished tied with the Toronto Raptors for the seventh-worst record in the NBA, which necessitated a coin flip to decide who is scheduled to pick seventh and who is scheduled to pick eighth. 

The flip went the Warriors’ way, and the Jazz front office went from scouting top-notch college prospects to disappointedly perusing a scant free-agent pool.  Utah’s own pick now goes to the Timberwolves as part of the Al Jefferson trade.  Ironically, Utah would’ve held on to its own pick had they tanked like Golden State did. 

While it’s not impossible that a team will leapfrog Golden State in the draft lottery and knock Golden State’s pick back to eight or lower, the chances of that are slim.  With such an impressive and deep draft class waiting in the wings, it’s imperative for Utah to do some ...

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