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Downbeat #1636: Looney for Kevon Looney Edition

Are the Utah Jazz and Kevon Looney a match made in heaven?

By Mychal Lowman
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Apologies for the late downbeat.  While you accept my apologies, fall in love with Kevon Looney.

I have not be shy about my admiration for Kevon Looney.  To me he is the sort under appreciated prospect that will land in the Utah Jazz's lap this draft because of his game shape and undetermined playing position.  He rebounds at a high level, a trait that translates well to the NBA, and a skill that fits into the Jazz's long-term strategy.  He also can play multiple positions and defend multiple positions.  Chad Ford has this to say about Kevon Looney:

Interestingly, flexibility has proved to pose another issue for Looney and his draft stock.

Looney played point guard for his high school team and power forward in his only season at UCLA. That's quite a range and one of the questions that has followed him. What position, exactly, does Looney play?

His numbers this season suggest power forward is the way to go. He led all freshmen in the NCAA in double-doubles and nearly averaged a double-double for the season. But his thin frame and perimeter skills suggest maybe the 3 is his best position. That's partly why NBA teams are having a hard time getting their arms around him.

Read more here.

Today is Memo's Birthday.

Memo will continue to be one of my favorite Jazz players of all-time.  He's so unique, a center who's a knockdown three point shooter.

Many here at the Dunk want to see the return of Joe Ingles to the Utah Jazz.  We have been noticing that he tweets in past tense when referring to the Utah Jazz.  Hopefully, he is just being genuine and doesn't want to jinx it.

Additionally, isn't it totes adorbs that he spells organization with an s?

It looks like the folks at Bleacher Report are going to be doing a top 200 NBA players.  Andy Bailey gave us a sneak peak.

Yesterday, Peter had a fantastic post about the possibility of trading up.  As most can see, the Jazz would have to mortgage their exciting present to have the possibility at a more exciting future.  I said the possibility because nothing is guaranteed with the NBA draft.  There was also a good piece at Salt City Hoops in which SLC Dunk alum, Clark Schmutz, tells us that we shouldn't expect the Jazz to trade out of their pick.

This might be a cop out of sorts, but the Jazz will only trade their pick if someone who fits their strategy is within reach and the price is reasonable.  But count me among those that believe the Jazz will trade the pick.  That does not mean a sweeping move to be in the top 10.  On the contrary, I believe they would trade down.  What do all of you think?

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