Jazz should not take Marcus Smart at 5

Teams are throwing their picks around like monopoly money. Utah is one of those teams. But if they do keep their pick, Marcus Smart will likely be their favorite guard available.

ESPN.com’s Joe Kaiser thinks that Utah likes power forwards Noah Vonleh, Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon, too. With the Vonleh or Randle on the board, Utah would be hard pressed to pass on their position of need. But should the Jazz bypass need for guard like Smart? Even after drafting Trey Burke only a year ago?

No, they shouldn’t.

Utah Jazz beat reporter at Deseret News said, “Jazz have to decide if Marcus Smart would be starting point guard, a backup or if he can play next to Trey Burke if it comes down to him.”

Smart and Burke in the same back court could be incredibly fun to watch, especially two or three years down the line. But they won’t have much room to work if they do not have forwards to play with. It’s too early to make any decisions, of course, but the choice between Julius Randle and Marcus Smart is an incredibly difficult one. It’s why they pay Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsay the big bucks. However, Burke and Smart wouldn’t be like pairing John Wall with Bradley Beal. Burke and Smart don’t have complementary playing styles.

It helps that Smart is drawing comparisons to dynamic rookie Victor Oladipo, who was rangy yet thick enough to contribute at the two right away. And it’s hard to pass on a talent like Smart, whether he plays at a position of need or not. But the Jazz need a forward, and there will be good ones available. They should take a forward.