Inspired by the NFL Draft, I decided to make my "War Room" pitch for the Utah Jazz to draft Jimmer Fredette at No. 12.

While we watch the NBA Playoffs unfold, the Utah Jazz are already on the draft clock. At number 6 (or maybe 5, possibly even 4, depending on unlikely bouncing of the ping pong balls), the Jazz need an impact player - a college star or talented Euro big/swingman. However, at No. 12, why not take calculated (based on talent, marketing potential and season ticket sales) risk on Jimmer Fredette?

This is what we will discuss with Jazz CEO Greg Miller coming up live on KSL 5's SportsBeat Sunday at 10:35.

It's a given that any draft is an inexact science - a very pricey (cost of year-round scouting, hours of high-level examination of team needs, player potential and players salary factored in) roll of the dice. The Jazz are in a very rare and enviable spot with two lottery picks, roster spots available, finally some cash to work with and with the lockout coming, it's a bit of a 'laboratory year', all major ingredients for Jazz VP Kevin O'Connor to work with.

Coming up on KSL 5

Jazz CEO Greg Miller on SportsBeat Sunday at 10:35

At No. 12, why not take calculated risk on Jimmer Fredette? This is what we will discuss with Jazz CEO Greg Miller coming up live on KSL 5's SportsBeat Sunday at 10:35.

If Jimmer is still on the board I say go ahead, rather than fight the local pressure to draft Jimmer, embrace it.

One NBA insider told me recently, "I love Jimmer in the 20 to 30 range, later first round", while an early mock draft had Detroit taking Jimmer with the 7th pick.

It is possible that what we're really talking about here is perhaps a few selections ahead of where the Jazz may have the unanimous National Player of the Year slotted, but to be able to draft Jimmer would make a statement to Jazz fans while addressing their bottom line as well.

AK told me on SportsBeat Sunday a few weeks ago, "Forget his talent, what he can do on the court. If the Jazz draft him, they'll have sellouts every night, the marketing would be crazy."

Jimmer's basketball talent brings uber skills to the table. Undeniably unlimited range with the ability to shoot and make it from literally anywhere the NBA would want him to. Threes add up quickly, and just like we are seeing now with the Bulls and Kyle Korver, the threat of Fredette launching from 25 feet or deeper stretches the defense and opens up space for his teammates all over the court.

Jimmer's ball-handling skills, court sense, hoop savvy and moxie (am I being redundant?) scorer's mindset, with a work ethic that is right up there with the Mailman's, all make him a suitable fit for the 12th pick. He possesses the courage to take the game-winning shot but also the basketball IQ to understand that it's not HIS team anymore. He's definitely a combo guard but best-suited for a back-up point guard with the added bonus of bringing a spark off the bench. He would immediately be one of the few Jazzmen who could (when necessary) create his own shot.

Can't defend you say? I think he'll prove in pre-draft workouts that he can defend ... enough. Can DWill stop anybody? In the NBA there are very few individual lockdown defenders, and it's more about understanding team defense concepts. So that liability, while no doubt being a factor, is a bit overblown.

Let's be honest - capitalizing on and monetizing the "Jimmermania" in the place where it all began wouldn't be a bad thing for the Jazz. I would venture to guess that drafting Jimmer would translate into several thousand additional season ticket sales.

I rest my case by listing the past 16 players picked 12th overall in the NBA draft. How about these 'household names'?

• 1995 Cherokee Parks
• 1996 Vitaly Potapenko
• 1997 Austin Croshere
• 1998 Michael Doleac
• 1999 Aleksandar Radojevic
• 2000 Etan Thomas
• 2001 Vladimir Radmanovic
• 2002 Melvin Ely
• 2003 Nick Collison
• 2004 Robert Swift
• 2005 Yaroslav Korolev
• 2006 Hilton Armstrong
• 2007 Thaddeus Young
• 2008 Jason Thompson
• 2009 Gerald Henderson
• 2010 Xavier Henry

And, let's not forget some of the Jazz memorable busts with picks in the teens: Curtis Borchardt, Kirk Snyder, Sasha Pavlovic, Quincy Lewis, and from the "wayback machine", Luther Wright, Eric Lechner and Jose Ortiz!

This should be a no-brainer sitting at #12. Good picks can happen with good people.

In fact, the only issue I see is that #32 is already hanging from the rafters at ESA, and playing with a new number will be just one of the many adjustments Jimmer will have make in the NBA.

"WITH THE 12th PICK IN THE 2011 NBA DRAFT THE UTAH JAZZ SELECT (fill in the bust or...) JIMMER FREDETTE.

Please feedback and react: Tom.Kirkland@ksl.com and follow me on Twitter @tksportsbeat

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