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NBA Draft Rumors: Utah Jazz’s ‘dream scenario’ is Jabari Parker

By Andrew Melnick

Nov 29, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) dribbles against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the NIT Season Tip-Off Championship game at Madison Square Garden. Arizona won the game 72-66. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) dribbles against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the NIT Season Tip-Off Championship game at Madison Square Garden. Arizona won the game 72-66. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Utah Jazz had to have been disappointed when they dropped from the fourth-overall selection to the fifth-overall selection in the draft lottery.

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Although the Jazz may miss out on one of the top four prospects, there is still a chance they get their man in next week’s draft. Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors believes the Jazz’s dream is to land former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Parker.

"Utah’s dream scenario surely involves some combination of Embiid, Wiggins and Exum going with the top three picks, leaving the Magic with the conundrum of either addressing their need at point guard or taking Parker, who plays the same position as Maurice Harkless and Tobias Harris. But Parker would be an upgrade over both, and I doubt Orlando would be motivated to pass him up unless Utah made it worth their while, which it would be difficult for the Jazz to do. I think the Jazz hold on to the pick and take the best guy available. I don’t think Utah is ready to start pawning off its young players for veterans yet, and adding another talented youngster to the mix is probably the team’s plan, regardless of who goes in picks 1-4."

Parker went for 19.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 47.3% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 74.8% from the free throw line last season. The last time Parker was officially measured, he came in at 6’8.5 and 240 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’11.5 at the Kevin Durant Camp in 2013. Jonathan Givony of Draft Express ranks Parker as the third-best prospect in the draft behind a pair of former Kansas Jayhawks’ teammates, center Joel Embiid and forward Andrew Wiggins and currently projects the Bucks to select Parker.

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