Utah Jazz: Domantas Sabonis Could Be the Best Player Available at No. 12

Gonzaga star Domantas Sabonis impressed team officials in his solo workout for the Utah Jazz on Monday.

Throughout the pre-draft process, Utah Jazz officials have said the team will look to select the best player available when they’re on the clock at No. 12 in the 2016 NBA Draft. Fans and prognosticators alike have cited wing depth as an area of need, but that best player available could ultimately end up being one of the draft’s big men.

Despite the perceived shortfall on the wings the fact that the Jazz already have one of the more intriguing frontcourt rotations in the game, it could be in the team’s best interest to snag one of the talented pivot men in this year’s draft class.

Even with Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert on the front line and Trey Lyles in the second unit, the Jazz could use another strong frontcourt presence. After all, you can never have too much size in the NBA.

Enter Domantas Sabonis–the 6-foot-10 son of HOF center Arvydas Sabonis–who led the Gonzaga Bulldogs to a Sweet 16 appearance this past spring and could still be on the board when the Jazz are making their pick in the back-end of the lottery.

Sabonis was in Salt Lake City on Monday and made an impression on Jazz decision-makers during his solo workout for the team.

Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin had this to say about Sabonis’ workout performance—

"“We had him shoot a couple threes and he looked comfortable shooting them. He’s pretty crafty around the basket with his footwork and his shot-making ability. He had a pretty good workout–going against himself.”"

Perrin on Sabonis’ NBA future–

"“I think he’s a rotational guy. I think he could probably start in certain situations at times and I think he’s going to help some team win.”"

Winning is something Sabonis is accustomed to. In his two years at Gonzaga, his team posted a 63-11 record and captured five NCAA Tournament victories. Sabonis was a key component to that success, specifically last season when he averaged nearly 18 points and 12 rebounds per game, while shooting 61 percent from the floor.

He also finished in the top ten nation-wide in both win shares and defensive win shares.

Looking beyond the numbers, though, Sabonis made waves as a collegiate with his physicality, his hustle and his intensity on the floor.

“All you want is a guy with a heart like that who just goes so hard every possession,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said of Sabonis after his team’s tournament win over Utah. “That’s the greatest attribute he has. It’s inspiring.”

According to Perrin, Sabonis will likely play more of a complementary role as a pro than he did in college. If he can develop the three-point shot, something that wasn’t really a part of his game with the Bulldogs, and bring that elite-level “motor” with him, he could be a solid complement to Utah’s already loaded big man brigade.

He may not be the wing player fans are looking for, but if he’s still available with the twelfth pick, he could be the right choice for the Jazz.

Next: Utah Jazz Draft Prospects: Furkan Korkmaz

Also working out for the Jazz on Monday were Auburn’s Tyler Harris, Angel Rodriguez of Miami, Chris Fowler of Central Michigan and Milwaukee’s Matthew Tiby. Texas’ Isaiah Taylor, Tim Quarterman of LSU, Shaq Goodwin from Memphis, UCSB’s Michael Bryson, Obi Emegano of Oral Roberts and Frenchman Mathias Lessort were in town on Sunday.

The 2016 NBA Draft is set for June 23. In addition to picking at No. 12, the Utah Jazz own three second round selections.