Inside the NBA draft: Big Men

TOP OF THE DRAFT: University of Oklahoma power forward Blake Griffin is the consensus No. 1 overall selection, and Thursday's NBA Draft drops off from there. He'll go to the Los Angeles Clippers, and never be heard from again. Because they're the Clippers. UConn center Hasheem Thabeet should go No. 2 to Memphis or No. 3 to Oklahoma City. Because at 7-foot-3, he's really tall. But Thabeet blew off a scheduled weekend workout in Memphis. Because they're the Grizzlies. So the shot-blocker could wind up with the Thunder, which would make an up-and-coming team that much better. Arizona power forward Jordan Hill could also go top-seven, but beyond that it's a mostly a point guard's draft.

UTAH NOW: Power forward Carlos Boozer is a two-time NBA All-Star and two-time USA Basketball Olympic team member, but he also has a clause allowing him to opt out this month of his current contract with the Jazz — which means Utah heads into the draft with uncertainty hanging overhead. Center Mehmet Okur is a one-time All-Star, and he has an early termination option — but seems likely to return on a new multi-year deal. The Jazz picked up 2007 second-round pick Kyrylo Fesenko's $870,000 option for next season, and rookie big Kosta Koufos will be back, but the fate of veteran big man Jarron Collins — an unrestricted free agent — remains undertermined. Boozer's backup, Paul Millsap, is a restricted free agent, but the Jazz have vowed to match any offer sheet he signs with a suitor — of which there could be plenty.

JAZZ TIME: Since they're picking at No. 20 overall in the first round, and they don't need any more than a backup point, landing a big — power forward/small foward type probably, not center — is a distinct possibility. North Carolina power forward Tyler Hansbrough, a hustle player, is a popular mock-draft choice for the Jazz. Other options may include freefalling James Johnson, the black belt from Wake Forest; DeJuan Blair of Pitt, who has a history of knee issues; or Austin Daye, who is 6-11 and the son of a retired NBA player, but really more of a lanky 3 than a beefy 4. Ohio State center B.J. Mullens does not seem to be a consideration, unless the Jazz are keeping their interest in him a terrifically well-kept secret. If the Jazz don't go big at 20, Taylor Griffin — Blake's older brother — is a possibility should he be available at No. 50 in the second round.

LOCAL TIES:

University of Utah center Luke Nevill is a second-round prospect but thinks there's a chance he could sneak in late in the first. He worked out for the Jazz on Sunday.