As the 2017 NBA Draft approaches, two different mock drafts have the Utah Jazz selecting UNC’s Tony Bradley, but at very different times.
The Utah Jazz are preparing to build and improve on their 51-win season in 2016-17, and with some big money contracts likely to be on the books, drafting well is key to their short-term success.
Rudy Gobert‘s $21.2 million contract kicks in to start the 2017-18 season and with significant cap holds for Gordon Hayward and George Hill on the books until they either leave or are renounced, the Jazz will be roughly $21 million over the cap come July 1.
The Jazz have four picks this year; 24th, 30th (from Golden State), 42nd (from Detroit) and 55th. On the books for $1.4 million and $1.2 million once drafted, it’s an opportunity for them to pick up some cheap talent to back up their expensive stars in the first round.
When it comes to mock drafts, ESPN’s Chad Ford is one of the leading experts along with DraftExpress.com, always offering a plethora of information and opinion on prospects heading into the draft.
While their pre-draft predictions don’t always line up with each other or the final order, they both have North Carolina freshman Tony Bradley ending up in Utah – but at very different times in the draft.
Chad Ford has Bradley going 24th in his Mock Draft 5.0, stating:
"“Bradley’s elite length and rebounding ability make him an intriguing prospect at this point in the draft.”"
Instantly, Rudy Gobert comes to mind. Long arms that can pull down a rebound, he was also an intriguing prospect and relative unknown when drafted 27th in 2013.
Ford also added:
"“Conditioning is a major question mark. He tested as one of the worst athletes in the draft at the combine, and teams worry he might be too heavy-footed to fit into their defensive schemes. But as a backup big man to someone like Rudy Gobert, he’s an interesting fit.”"
With Ford taking Bradley off the board with the 24th pick, those at Draft Express don’t consider him nearly as high, allowing him to drop all the way to 42nd, again going to the Jazz.
Ranking him 22nd amongst NCAA freshman and 40th overall amongst the top 100 prospects, Draft Express doesn’t hold the same confidence in the 19-year-old, 6’10” forward.
Bradley, however doesn’t agree with their skepticism. ESPN‘s Jeff Goodman has reported Bradley is signing an agent and remaining in the draft.
North Carolina’s Tony Bradley is remaining in the NBA Draft and will sign with an agent, multiple sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 24, 2017
Originally listed as a lottery pick in the Draft Express 2018 mock draft, Bradley is taking a risk by entering a year early with the possibility of dropping to the second round and a non-guaranteed contract being the result.
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With the chances of the Jazz signing their two second round picks to full-time contracts being unlikely, stealing Bradley as a backup to Gobert would be a substantial move in locking down a cheap frontcourt rotation.
Averaging 6.9 point and 5.1 rebounds in his 14 minutes per game at UNC, Bradley offers what the Jazz need in their second coming of Gobert; length, rebounding and a soft touch around the rim.
With some development on offense, much like Gobert has needed early in his NBA career, Bradley could become a legitimate scoring threat with a baby hook already in his repertoire, along with a handy enough jump shot that can stretch the floor.
Widely considered a project player at 19 years old, he would fit nicely into the Jazz system and allow the offense to remain the very much the same when on the floor in place of Gobert.
Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Post-Lottery edition
It’s the first of many options the Jazz will have on draft night, but with both Chad Ford and Draft Express liking Bradley’s fit in Utah, it’s starting to seem like one of the more likely draft night scenarios.