Inside the NBA Draft: Shooters

Editors note: Last in a three-part series

CREAM OF THE CROP

University of Texas small forward Kevin Durant will go No. 2 overall to Seattle, unless Portland shocks the NBA world and takes Durant No. 1, leaving likely top-pick center Greg Oden of NCAA runner-up Ohio State for the Sonics. Other small forwards likely to go in the lottery (top 14) include Georgetown's Jeff Green, Florida State's Al Thornton and Julian Wright of Kansas. As for shooting guards, Florida's Corey Brewer is best of the bunch, and along with point guard Taurean Green and big men Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Chris Richard is among five national-champ Gators expected to go sometime in the first round or early in the second. Shooting guards Rodney Stuckey of Eastern Washington, whom Detroit apparently likes at No. 15, and Nick Young of Southern Cal probably will be gone before the Jazz pick 25th overall in Thursday's draft.

JAZZ TIME

The Jazz would like to land a shooter about as much they'd like Andrei Kirilenko to return to 2004 All-Star form. It's unknown if two of the draft's best — Italy's Marco Belinelli, who supposedly is liked by Phoenix at 24, and Rice's Morris Almond — will be available at 25, but it's a good guess the Jazz wouldn't mind having to pick between the two. Other shooting guard/swingmen/small forward possibilities for Utah include Vanderbilt's Derrick Byars, UCLA's Arron Afflalo, Wisconsin's Alando Tucker, Spain's Rudy Fernandez, DePaul's Wilson Chandler, Boston College's Jared Dudley and (if he's not gone already) USC combo guard Gabe Pruitt. The Jazz brought in Ohio State freshman Daequan Cook for a workout, but with 2005 second-rounder C.J. Miles expected to be re-signed they might shy from taking another youngster who needs development. Utah also might consider trading up from No. 55 in the second round to land the likes of Jackson State's Trey Johnson, Fresno State's Dominic McGuire or North Carolina's Reyshawn Terry.

UTAH NOW

On paper, veteran Derek Fisher is the Jazz's starting shooting guard and Kirilenko is the starter at small forward. Matt Harpring should again back up Kirilenko, unless the Jazz do what they say they're not planning to and deal the unhappy Russian. Gordan Giricek was Fisher's backup last season and is still under contract, but it remains to be seen where he fits into future plans. Utah hopes last year's first-round pick, late lottery selection Ronnie Brewer, can become a rotation-regular. For either Brewer or Miles to contribute significantly, though, they must become much-more consistent shooters.

LOCAL TIES

Utah State sharpshooter Jaycee Carroll declared for the draft, then withdrew and will return for his senior season. Swingman Richard Chaney, who finished at Troy after three seasons with the University of Utah, auditioned for the Jazz last Saturday. Chaney is a draft longshot, but could land summer-league work with some team.

FANTASY PICK

The Jazz take 6-9 Chinese small forward Sun Yue in the second round, and Yue know what happens: A nine-inch growth spurt and an added 75 pounds or so turns him into Utah's very own Yao Ming, allowing Jazz scouting guru Walt Perrin to spend a little more time enjoying Sunsets.