In what will probably be the most exciting story for the Jazz this off-season, the Jazz have signed rookie Kosta Koufos to a contract. He was selected #23 overall in the draft, and is yet another “big” for the Jazz to leave on the bench/in the NBDL while playing guys that shouldn’t be playing. But that’s what the Jazz are good at…

Koufos should be playing the RMR, which starts next Friday.

Now this depends on there being a list, of course. We were given a list of potential FA targets by Ross Siler, but who knows who the Jazz are really interested in. Anyways, one of the names on that list was that of DeSagana Diop… the ex-Maverick big-man who was dealt to New Jersey this past season. If you wanted him to join the Jazz, I’m sorry, because it seems like he will be going back to Dallas.

He will reportedly receive the Mavericks’ full mid-level exception in a five-year deal.

Links for you…
SL Trib live blog
RealGM draft night
The Fan Sports live blog
SLC Dunk thread

Well, the day is finally here. And, as can be expected, there is news and rumors flying all around. Stuff being mentioned right now is below the jump… including a major deal or two.

The draft is a day away. Rumors are flying every which way. Trades are being rumored (and going down). Who will be the #2 pick? Which Northwest Division teams are making some noise? That and more below.

The Jazz will host 2 players this morning in what will be the last workout they hold before the draft.

It’s been almost a week since their last workouts, but the Jazz are finally getting more players in. They hosted a couple of players today (2nd-rounders at best), and host a couple more tomorrow (1st-rounders included).

After the first workout period… one that featured many guys considered to be 2nd-rounders at best, tomorrow’s workout seems to have more 1st round potential. Oh, and me happy.

The Jazz will have 6 players workout for them this morning.

So, I decided to come up with a list of potential draftees for the Jazz. It was actually fairly easy. I came up with a list of team needs (in no particular order)…

-defensive-minded C (because it doesn’t seem like Fesenko will be ready for major minutes next year)
-low-post playing PF (for when Booze reverts to play-off form)
-pass-first PG (3rd-string guy after Hart is booted)
-D-minded wing… jump-shooting helpful (because Harpring does neither)
-jump-shooting SG that can play D (Almond does one, Brewer the other, CJ both… and he never plays)

And then I went through the profiles at NBAdraft.net (all 60 currently in the mock, plus a couple other guys) and found players that fit in the one that fits their position. And while I like the idea of getting a defensive-minded C (the whole “hack anyone attacking the hoop” strategy of J-Slo is a total pain), I have found the guy I want the Jazz to draft. But this time, it’s not a guy that’ll go top 10 (a la Corey Brewer last year). Nope, instead it’s a guy that won’t really help the D, but will help enforce a different strategy… “do what you want, we’re gonna outscore you!” I much prefer that type of strategy… especially when the team can’t play D.