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SALT LAKE CITY -- After securing the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft with the Deron Williams trade, the Utah Jazz now have the job of deciding who they would like to bring to Utah for the 2011-12 season. The Utah Jazz also have the No. 12 selection.
The draft is still five weeks away, but the rumors and talk has already begun for who the Jazz may be thinking about.
The best news is that barring any trades, the Jazz will have four top-10 picks on their roster for the 2011-12 season.
The No. 3 pick in this year's draft will be joined by Derrick Favors (No. 3 in 2010) and Devin Harris (No. 5 in 2004), who were picked up from the deal with New Jersey in the Williams' trade, and finally Gordon Hayward, who was the No. 9 pick in 2010.
The Associated Press states that the third pick could be one of two international players, Enes Kanter and Jonas Valanciunas. Kanter is a 6-foot-11 forward from Turkey and Valanciunas is a 6-10 forward from Lithuania. Some analysts disagree and think the third pick could be Kentucky guard Brandon Knight.
Jazz Head Coach Tyrone Corbin, who took over for Jerry Sloan last season, said that although the on-court drills at the NBA Draft combine are good, the interviews that they will be able to conduct are an important part.
A question that is on the minds of many Jazz fans - what about Jimmer Fredette as an option for the Jazz's No. 12 selection? Corbin didn't comment either way, but did state that they plan to bring Fredette, along with other top prospects, to Salt Lake City for some workouts in the coming weeks.
With the NBA Draft combine taking place over the next couple days, Corbin will get plenty of time to watch Fredette and other big names.
The last time the Jazz got a No. 3 pick was in 2005 when they picked up Williams. From 2007 to 2009 their picks were in the 20s. Last year the Jazz selected Gordon Hayward with the No. 9 pick.
The draft will take place June 23 in Newark, NJ.
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
