Utah Jazz 2006 Draft Preview

The Jazz have a solid nucleus with center Mehmet Okur, forwards Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko and guard Deron Williams. Okur led the team in scoring (18.0 ppg) and rebounding (9.1 rpg), while Williams averaged a team-best 4.5 assists per game in his rookie season.

Kirilenko averaged 15.3 points, 8.0 boards and 4.3 assists in 69 contests this past season, while Williams netted 10.8 per game and Boozer contributed 16.3 points and 8.6 boards per contest in 33 outings.

Utah needs to find a guard who has good range and has some athleticism. A shooting guard who can score would make Okur, Boozer and Kirilenko more effective down low. It could mean the difference between another lottery pick and the playoffs.

Michigan State’s Maurice Ager and Shannon Brown and Ronnie Brewer of Arkansas should all be on Utah’s radar at No. 14. If J.J. Reddick of Duke slips, he could also be the pick.

Key Player(s): Carlos Boozer (Forward), Devin Brown (Guard), Gordan Giricek (Guard), Matt Harpring (Forward), Andrei Kirilenko (Forward), Mehmet Okur (Center), Deron Williams (Guard),

Team Needs: Athleticism, inside toughness and a shooting guard.

Draft picks: 1st round (14th overall), 2nd round (46th overall), 2nd round (47th overall).