2014 NBA Draft Rumors: Buy or Sell
Apr 14, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) dribbles the ball in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard
Jodie Meeks(20) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 119-104. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Rumor: The Utah Jazz want to trade up into the top-three of the draft, using Alec Burks as trade bait.
As Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders describes in his article, the Jazz could be willing to include guard Alec Burks in a deal to move them into the top-three if it netted them Duke forward Jabari Parker. Most projections for the Jazz’s pick at number five have been them selecting Indiana forward/center Noah Vonleh, however, Parker would make a ton of sense. He would provide an upgrade at the small forward position while possibly pushing Gordon Hayward to a full time spot at shooting guard.
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A sixth man role for the former Butler Bulldog could make even more sense. He seems more suited for that role to score in bunches as the fresh body off the bench due to his decreased efficiency in a larger role. It has to be mentioned too that Hayward is a restricted free agent this summer, so he may not even be back in Utah.
It would be very tough for the Jazz to move up because there is a defined top three with Parker, Andrew Wiggins, and Joel Embiid. It may take more than Alec Burks to include in the deal to give them a realistic chance at getting a higher pick.
While the Jazz do need big man depth behind Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, it would be hard to believe that a rumor of the Jazz being interested in Jabari Parker would be false. They are wise in believing that he would not be there at pick number five.
Buy or Sell? – Buy