NBA Draft: Doug McDermott Is A Good Fit In Utah

I have written a couple articles in the past month or two, and I have said in those articles how much I like Doug McDermott out of Creighton. I haven’t really put much of my thoughts into that statement, but not only do I believe that McDermott will be a great player in the NBA, I think he would be a great fit on the Utah Jazz roster.

Here is why.

1. McDermott plays a position of need for the Jazz. The Jazz and the fans have been looking at guys like Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker for that same reason. McDermott could slide into the small forward position for the Jazz, whether it is as a starter or off the bench, he can fill that spot if the Jazz were not able to land a guy like Parker or Wiggins.

2. McDermott can score the basketball. So far this season, heading into the tournament, McDermott is averaging 26.9 points per game and is shooting 52.5% from the field. In his last five games, McDermott was lights out averaging 32.2 points per game and leading Creighton to a 3-2 record in those games.

3. One of the best Jazz comparisons that I can think of for McDermott is a guy like Kyle Korver or Matt Harpring. All these guys shoot the basketball well and if McDermott was drafted to the Jazz, I can see him playing a similar role like Korver and Harpring did while in Utah. Barring a coaching change, the Jazz have ran the same type of offensive system for over 20 years. A guy who is playing the small forward position will be coming off a lot of screens for a catch and shoot jump shot. I’ve watched McDermott play this season quite a few times and when he curls off of a screen, he is money.

4. At 6’8″, 225 pounds, McDermott can post up and take the ball to the basket very well. That is another reason why he can work in Utah. If he is curling off of a screen, he has that opportunity for a catch and shoot, but if it isn’t there he is good enough to drive to the basket and finish.

5. McDermott would also add the three point shooting that the Jazz will need next season. So far this season, he is averaging 45.4% from beyond the arc. He hits those shots on a combination of coming off screens and pull ups. His ability to pull up at the three point line and drain a shot would be a huge asset for the Jazz late in close games. You can see a lot of this along with the previous reasons why I like McDermott in the video below.

The thing I have stated in my past articles is that I like how McDermott is a senior. Guys that come into the NBA after spending four years in college tend to be more mature and ready for what the NBA has to throw at them than guys that are one and done college players. Look at a guy like Damian Lillard. He spent his time in college to prepare himself for the NBA, then he got drafted in the lottery, won Rookie of the Year, made it to the NBA All-Star game this season, and is leading a team right now that is headed to the playoffs. I am not saying that McDermott will be the next Damian Lillard, but he is going to be good.

We look at guys like Wiggins and Parker and start drooling at the potential that they possess, and the things they could do for the Jazz. I should also clarify that like everyone else, I do want to land a top three pick and grab Parker above McDermott. Although a guy like McDermott isn’t a “sexy” pick, the guy possesses a lot of qualities that will help him become a great NBA player. If the Jazz run the same offensive system that they have ran for the last 20 years, McDermott would fit right into that system.