Utah Jazz: Re-Selecting the Last 15 NBA Drafts

2012: Jazz select Kevin Murphy (47)

In the lockout shortened 2011-2012 season, the Golden State Warriors subtly (or not so subtly–some might call it shameless) looked to tank the season away, trading away Monta Ellis and shutting down Stephen Curry and David Lee to finish the year 5-22, with the seventh worst record in the league.

What does this have to do with the Jazz? Well the Warriors’ first round pick belonged to the Jazz, but was “top-seven protected,” meaning the Jazz would’ve gotten the pick had the Warriors finished with the eighth worst record or better. Alas, fate was not kind to the Jazz as they missed out on a draft pick that turned into Harrison Barnes for the Warriors.

There is speculation that the Jazz could have utilized the lottery pick to make a run at Damian Lillard, or that it also could have turned into the likes of Andre Drummond or Draymond Green, both of which were drafted after Barnes. But we won’t dwell on what could have been if the Warriors had actually decided to compete in 2012. Instead, we’ll focus on how the Jazz could have utilized their 47th pick.

With no first round pick, the Jazz came out of the 2012 NBA Draft with Kevin Murphy. Murphy played just one season in the NBA and had hardly any impact at all. While no players selected after Kevin Murphy really stand out, Old Dominion’s Kent Bazemore joined the league in 2012 after going undrafted and very well should have been the Jazz’s second round pick.

After flying very much under the radar, Bazemore has turned into a starting-caliber player who had a solid season for the Atlanta Hawks this past year. He’ll be a coveted free agent target this offseason.

What Bazemore lacks in natural ability, he makes up for in energy, hustle and basketball intelligence. Despite perceived faults, he certainly has had a better career and still has much greater upside than Kevin Murphy had.

Who they should have taken: Kent Bazemore (Undrafted)

Next: 2013