Inside the NBA draft: Shooters

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 24, 2009

TOP OF THE DRAFT: With University of Oklahoma power forward Blake Griffin expected to go No. 1 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers, and both UConn center Hasheem Thabeet and Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio having 2-3 potential, Arizona State's James Harden could be the first shooting guard/small forward type taken -- and should go top five in Thursday's NBA Draft. Harden can knock down jumpers from deep range, and is a super scorer. Davidson's Stephen Curry, son of ex-Jazz player Dell Curry, is one of the draft's best shooters, but he's too small to guard some of the NBA's bigger shooting guards, so he'll probably have to play as a point guard/combo to make it big- time. He's top-10, perhaps even top-six, material. The University of Memphis thrived when Tyreke Evans switched from shooting guard to the point this past season, but the freshman seems destined for more 2 than point play in the NBA. He's another likely top-10 pick. USC product DeMar DeRozan is an athletic wing player, Louisville's Earl Clark is a lanky point-forward type with a decent mid-range jumper, Gonzaga's Austin Daye is a skinny small forward whose father Darren Daye played in the NBA, Duke's Gerald Henderson is a versatile shooting guard with limited range, and Louisville's Terrence Williams is an athletic swingman with a shaky shot. Any or all could go in the first round's top 20.

UTAH NOW: Starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer could be offered a contract extension later this offseason, but his backup, veteran Kyle Korver, can opt out of the final year of his current deal. Brewer has struggled to gain respect for his range, and his inconsistency prompted the Los Angeles Lakers to give him none whatsoever in the playoffs this season. Korver is recovering from offseason surgery on his shooting wrist. Starting small forward C.J. Miles also must develop consistency, while backup Andrei Kirilenko might play more power forward if Carlos Boozer leaves before next season. Veteran reserve forward Matt Harpring is slated to be back next season, but the Jazz have no plans to re-sign shooting guard Morris Almond, their first-round pick in 2007.

JAZZ TIME: Daye supposedly is a possibility for the Jazz at No. 20 overall, and so is tough-nosed Pitt swingman Sam Young. Young perhaps could contribute right away. Another serious consideration for Utah will be Florida State shooting guard Toney Douglas, an awesome shooter and solid scorer with NBA 3-point range. But there's also a good chance the Jazz will use the pick on either a power forward or a potential backup point guard.

LOCAL TIES: Utah Valley's Ryan Toolson is an awesome shooter, and -- while unseen by some NBA decision-makers -- he's likely to wind up with an NBA summer-league team invite if he doesn't go in the second round Thursday. Versatile, fundamentally sound BYU shooting guard Lee Cummard also is a pro prospect and a possible second- round pick.

FANTASY PICK: Toolson, cousin of ex-Jazz player Andy Toolson, worked out Tuesday in Utah. Afterward, he said he didn't miss a shot. OK -- hardly any. So the Jazz take Danny Ainge's nephew with their No. 50 pick in the second round Thursday, and he makes history by not missing a shot during his entire 10-year NBA career in Utah.

Second in a three-part series

THURSDAY: Floor generals (point guards)

-- Tim Buckley