Redrafting the Jazz: 1997

I have been cursed by a witch to repeatedly travel back through time to relive every NBA draft. Fortunately, her spell sends me directly to the Utah Jazz war room on draft night and all the executives magically know I’m from the future and will do whatever I say. Unfortunately, the curse prevents me from seeing how my advice altered the future, as I am sent back to the previous year as soon as draft night ends.

June 25, 1997 – Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina

Previous season:

Everything finally all came together for the Jazz in 1996-97. Karl Malone won his first MVP, the Jazz won the West with a 64-18 record, and, most importantly, they reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, thanks to a dramatic last-second 3-pointer from John Stockton over the Houston Rockets. Everyone was so excited just to get to the Finals, we weren't that sad to lose to Chicago in six games. At least, not as sad as we'd be in 1998. Anyway, Utah had a very solid roster with few holes to fill heading into the draft.

The draft:

With the 27th pick, Scott Layden decided to add a third point guard to the roster, choosing Jacque Vaughn out of Kansas.

The 56th pick was spent on shooting guard Nate Erdmann from Oklahoma.

Analysis:

Vaughn was a good pick. He gave the Jazz exactly what they wanted — a competent backup point guard who could fill in for Howard Eisley when Stockton was hurt. Vaughn enjoyed a productive 12-year career in the NBA — almost always coming off the bench — and helped San Antonio win the 2007 championship. But he only lasted four years in Utah because the Jazz became enamored with Raul Lopez. So I think we can draft someone better. Swingman Stephen Jackson enjoyed a 14-year career as a strong shooter and a fairly decent defender. He helped the Spurs win the 2003 championship, and received votes for Most Improved Player of the Year in back-to-back years. One year, he even inexplicably received a vote for MVP. Yeah, he didn't quite deserve that, but he was still pretty good.

Erdmann never played a game in the NBA, so finding an upgrade for him is easy. My pick is combo guard Damon Jones, who spent a solid decade in the league and was one of the best 3-point shooters in his prime.

My advice:

1. Use the 27th pick on Stephen Jackson.

2. Use the 56th pick on Damon Jones.

I know the Jazz really needed a third-string point guard, but I would have convinced Layden to pick one up in free agency. Jackson would have started behind Bryon Russell and Shandon Anderson, but I'm confident he would have eventually surpassed both of them.