Inevitably it is time to start handing out early grades for how a team did in the 2011 NBA Draft. For that let's start with our neighbor to the west, the Utah Jazz, with their second draft pick (No. 12) of the night, having selected center Enes Kanter earlier in the proceedings.
Former Colorado Buffaloes guard Alec Burks had some buzz as at No. 7 with the Sacramento Kings and at No. 10 with the Milwaukee Bucks, but following a trade between those teams and the Charlotte Bobcats just hours before the draft Burks' stock appeared to be dropping.
That is, before the Utah Jazz jumped onto the clock at No. 12. They popped Burks, ending a potential free fall for the guard. Here's what Tom Ziller has to say on the addition of Burks in his 2011 NBA Draft Grades:
Burks showed little defense at Colorado, but has good size and a promising frame. Jerry Sloan would have turned Burks into a gritty fighter, and it's up to Ty Corbin to do just that. On the other end, Burks is a slasher who figures to draw plenty of contact and hopefully develop a jumper to space the floor for Kanter, Al Jefferson and/or Paul Millsap down low. I guess this means Gordon Hayward is a small forward, though.
Overall, Ziller gives the Jazz a 'B+' for the additions of Burks and Kanter. Buffs fans won't need to search far and wide to watch their former star play.
For more on the Jazz, visit SLC Dunk. Hit SB Nation's 2011 NBA Draft hub for full coverage of the aftermath.