Jazz simply won't trade Kirilenko

Ever since Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery dealt the Jazz the No. 6 selection in the league's June 28 draft, much talk in Utah has focused on the possibility of trading up.

Multiple team officials have said that option will be explored.

But one thing the Jazz won't do, owner Larry H. Miller suggested, is destroy the franchise's foundation.

"I think we've got four really good players under contract," Miller said.

The Jazz owner presumably was referring to forward Andrei Kirilenko, big man Mehmet Okur, forward Matt Harpring and big man Carlos Boozer.

Miller said what he did knowing that might mean the Jazz are unable to draft the premier point guard they seek, be it Wake Forest University's Chris Paul or the University of Illinois' Deron Williams.

"To be honest with you," Miller said, "we're just not willing to give up the core players I referred to — which are the ones that would move us up at this point."

Miller even suggested the Jazz's lone one-time All-Star among the foursome is untouchable.

"People ask if a player is 'untouchable,' and you get in trouble mentioning names," he said. "But I'll name one: I mean, we're not trading Andrei (Kirilenko) — for any team in the league.

"He's just too exciting to watch, and his head's screwed on too straight," Miller added. "So Andrei's not going anywhere — except home to Russia for the summer, and then back."

DON'T MOCK: For what it's worth, here's an early look at some post-lottery mock draft projections as to whom the Jazz will take at No. 6:

• HoopsHype.com: Brazilian power forward Tiago Splitter, with point Paul going No. 2 to Atlanta and Williams going No. 4 to New Orleans.

• ESPN.com's Andy Katz: University of North Carolina point guard Raymond Felton, with Paul going No. 4 and Williams No. 5 to Charlotte.

• InsideHoops.com: Same as Katz.

• SI.com's Ian Thomsen: Felton, with Williams No. 2 and Paul No. 4.

• ESPNInsider.com's Chad Ford: Spanish power forward Fran Vasquez, with Paul No. 4 and Williams No. 5.

• NBADraft.net: Vasquez, with Paul going No. 2 and Williams No. 5.