What role does the Jazz brass have in mind for [Kyrylo] Fesenko next season? I think the answer to this question will provide a solid insight about Jazz's plans for next couple of seasons.

-- Sergio, Uruguay

Answer:

I believe what the Jazz hope to get from Fesenko during the 2008-09 season is much different than what they expect to get.

As far as most Jazz fans are concerned, I think their expectations for a former second-round draft pick (38th overall) who won't turn 22 until Christmas Eve is completely out of whack. They remember how well Fesenko played in a brief appearance against the Lakers last November, when the shorthanded Jazz buried L.A. behind the play of Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko, and figure the next logical step for him is a spot coach Jerry Sloan's regular rotation.

It won't happen.

Last year, I saw Fesenko play twice with the Utah Flash of the D-League and he was not a dominant force in either game. (Both games, by the way, ended in last-second losses for the Flash).

That said, Fesenko has some undeniable skills. He is a legitimate seven-footer who can run the floor. He has decent hands and his footwork around the basket is improving.

In basketball years, however, he is just a toddler.

His best years are ahead of him -- probably quite a ways ahead of him.

From what colleague Ross Siler has reported from the Jazz's pre-Rocky Mountain Revue practice sessions, it sounds like Fesenko did not get off to a great start this season. First and foremost, Sloan has wondered aloud about his conditioning. Not a good sign as far as offseason commitment is concerned.

Once again, I expect Fesenko to spend most of the coming season with the Flash.

Assuming No. 1 draft pick Kosta Koufos can earn some back-up minutes behind Memo Okur, Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap -- the Jazz's big-man rotation during the playoffs -- the only place Fesenko will get enough minutes to improve is in the D-League.

The Jazz. of course, would love for Fesenko to step in and become an off-the-bench power player who can score a little, block a few shots and clog the lane.

Because he has the physical tools to become an NBA player, I think that could easily happen -- given the right dose of maturity, focus and commitment to improvement.

I just don't see that happening this season.

I don't believe the Jazz see it happening, either.