SALT LAKE CITY — Height is pretty important in the NBA, but if you just look at those listed heights on the roster you may miss the measurement teams are really focused on: length.

In a Memorial Day predraft workout, the Jazz had a look at Shake Milton and Theo Pinson. Both are both listed at 6-foot-6 in height, but Pinson boasts a 6-foot-11 wingspan, and Milton's arms are even longer: he's at over seven feet from fingertip to fingertip. Milton is more of a guard, and Pinson a wing, but for either position, length is a tremendous asset in a league where switching on defense and defending multiple positions is more important than ever.

Milton, from Southern Methodist University, is the best prospect of the two, thanks to his ability to shoot the ball (43 percent from last year), as well as a talent at getting to the rim, the free throw line, and even adding a mid-range floater game. He's a smart player, which should appeal to the Jazz.

The question comes with whether he's athletic or quick enough to translate that level of production to the NBA. He certainly can compete against collegiate talent, but does lack that special burst most NBA starting point guards have. But can he be a talented, useful bench guard? I don't really have any doubt. I've seen comparisons to former University of Utah guard Delon Wright, and I think those are pretty reasonable.

Pinson will be drafted later, but even if he lasted until pick No. 52, he'd be a pretty good option for the Jazz. The calling card is his defense, and he showed an ability to be a terror on that end of the floor for North Carolina. His shot wasn't impressive in college, but he says he's improved it significantly, though he didn't show it at the NBA Combine. He'll need to find a way to score in the NBA to stick, but the defensive length and ability gives him an NBA talent right away guarding threes and fours.

Upside over ability to perform right away

One downside on both of those prospects is their age: Milton will be 22 before the NBA season begins, Pinson 23 a month into the season. NBA teams generally prefer younger prospects they can mold more than their older counterparts.

With this Jazz roster, it seems they prefer players who may be able to grow more over a finished product.

"Next year, with the majority of our team coming back, if not all of them, you look more upside," Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin said. "You're looking more at 'Can we bring this player in and work with them? How much better can you get them in two or three years?'"

Now, older prospects have come in and had significant success in recent drafts, 2017 rookie of the year Malcolm Brogdon being a key example. But with this No. 21 pick, they may have the ability to draft a difference maker down the road, rather than have someone who can fit in a crowded rotation in 2018-19.

Local workout tomorrow

The Jazz are hosting a local-heavy workout Tuesday. Sedrick Barefield and Tyler Rawson from the University of Utah will both participate. Dayon Goodman from Westminster College will play and Utah Valley's Kenneth Ogbe will get a second look in front of the Jazz's brass. Weber State's Ryan Richardson is also working out Tuesday, and one non-local will join the Utah crew: Detroit's Kameron Chatman.

None of these players is likely to be drafted on June 21, but they could be options for the G League Salt Lake City Stars. The Stars coaches and trainers have been running every workout for the most part, and getting to see these players up close could help head coach Martin Schiller and company decide on a close call come October's roster selection dates.

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