2005: Jazz select Deron Williams (3), C.J. Miles (34) and Robert Whaley (51)
In a draft where the first two players selected were Andrew Bogut and Marvin Williams, I’d say the Jazz did pretty well for themselves by selecting Deron Williams.
From the day that Williams and Chris Paul were selected back-to-back, the two were constantly compared and scrutinized. However, for the first six years they were in the league, I would have strongly argued that the Jazz made the better choice and selected the better player.
From 2007 to 2011 (prior to the trade that sent him to the Nets), Williams averaged better than 18 points and 10 assists per game in each season with the Jazz. He was the key player that led the Jazz to several playoff appearances and the first relevant point guard since John Stockton.
While Paul put up similar and, in some cases, better stats, Williams and the Jazz seemed to enjoy considerable success against Paul and the Hornets and the Jazz were more successful in the playoffs than Paul’s Hornets at the time.
Nevertheless, as both of their careers have worn on, it’s become pretty clear that Paul is the better player. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that Williams was the wrong choice at the time, over the long haul, Paul could have been a better decision, assuming he had stayed with the Jazz for longer than Williams did.
However, Williams’ overall career might have turned out differently as well had he stayed in Utah. In 2012, he even hinted at regret of leaving Utah by stating that Sloan’s system was a great fit for his style of play and that he loved Utah’s offense. There’s no telling how his career would have turned out in comparison to Paul’s had he stayed with a more fitting Jazz offense.
After Williams and Paul, another player that might have been a solid option for the Jazz is Danny Granger, who was selected 17th by the Indiana Pacers. Granger was an absolute monster early in his career, peaking in 2008-09 when he averaged 25.8 points per game and shot 40.4 percent from deep.
If Granger had been able to stay healthy, an argument could be made that he would have been the best selection with the number three pick, however looking at overall careers, due to Granger’s onslaught of injuries, Paul still would’ve been the best player the Jazz could have chosen.
In looking at Utah’s two second round picks in 2005, C.J. Miles had his moments, but never quite turned into the player that the Jazz hoped he would. They likely would have been much better served grabbing Monta Ellis, who was selected 40th. Ellis has built a reputation as an electrifying scorer and one of the most durable players in the league.
Meanwhile, Robert Whaley was taken late in the draft and it isn’t surprising that he only lasted one season. However, it does hurt a little bit knowing that with that 51st pick, the Jazz could have scooped up Marcin Gortat who was selected 57th and has gone on to have a formidable NBA career.
Who they should have taken: Chris Paul (4), Monta Ellis (40), Marcin Gortat (57)
Next: 2006