Lillard to the Jazz? My bold NBA Draft predictions


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A quick look at how I think the Top 10 of the NBA Draft will go down; and yes, I'm throwing in hypothetical trades:

1. New Orleans
Anthony Davis: A No-Brainer.

2. *Trade* Cleveland
Bradley Beal: He's the guy they're targeting, they'll have to trade with Charlotte to get him ahead of Washington.

3. Washington
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Everything you want in an NBA Wing.

4. Charlotte
Thomas Robinson: A Power Forward you can build around.

Jazz to host draft party at EnergySolutions Arena
The Utah Jazz will host its annual draft party at EnergySolutions Arena on Thursday. Admission is free and doors open to the public at 5 p.m. (MT).Fans who attend the party will be able to watch the 2012 NBA Draft in its entirety on EnergySolutions Arena's superscreen, and attendees will also have the opportunity to get autographs and their pictures taken with the Nu Skin Jazz Dancers and Jazz Bear in a photo booth on the floor. The first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive a certificate redeemable for a free hot dog and Salt Lake Bees ticket voucher. Everyone in attendance will receive a free NBA Draft Guide outlining the draft order and highlighting the top prospects, and a voucher to shoot a free throw on the arena floor.

5. *Trade* Utah
Damian Lillard: Maybe it's the fan in me that wants to see this but I actually do think this is a real possibility and the Jazz have the firepower to pull it off. 6. Portland
Andre Drummond: Boom or bust prospect. A lot of potential but I think he has more Hasheem Thabeet in him than Dwight Howard.

7. Golden State
Harrison Barnes: In this scenario, Barnes falls out of the Top 5 and will fit well next to Stephen Curry.

8. Toronto
Dion Waiters: Best guard left on the board. They're trying to shop the pick but unless someone takes a dramatic fall, I don't think a lot of teams will want to move up.

9. Detroit
John Henson: Great shot blocker and will allow Greg Monroe to be more of a 4.

10. New Orleans
Kendall Marshall: I would say it's between him and Austin Rivers but I think they want a point guard more and will reach a little for Marshall.

The Jazz at 47 benefit from having a draft that is deep in role players.

If they decide shooting is their priority, Kim English from Missouri might be available. Very one dimensional, in fact, shooting 3's is pretty much the only thing he can do. The Jazz need that and it would be a smart pick.

If the scenario of them drafting Lillard doesn't pan out (let's keep fingers crossed that it does), I really think the pick will be Scott Machado out of Iona. I like what he brings as a passer, 9.9 a game in his senior year; and shoots 40 percent from 3. In my humble opinion, I would take him with a late first round pick, so if the Jazz get him at 47, I would consider it a steal.

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