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Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor's mind started racing.

As the names of NBA teams were called out Tuesday evening and Utah's chances soared, the tight-lipped O'Connor went from excited to overwhelmed. Then he got greedy. The Jazz were guaranteed to receive at least a top-three pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but O'Connor's heart quickly honed in on No. 1.

That honor eventually fell to Cleveland, which was rewarded with the first and fourth selections, as the Cavaliers received their first moments of good luck since LeBron James moved to Miami.

But by the time Cleveland topped out and Minnesota fell to No. 2, the outwardly reserved O'Connor was internally ecstatic. The Jazz spent the 2010-2011 season suffering through turmoil, frustration and disappointment. Coaches Jerry Sloan and Phil Johnson resigned. All-Star guard Deron Williams had been traded. Utah failed to make the playoffs after starting 27-13, setting an NBA record for futility. If the organization had any luck, it was bad.

Now, the rebuilding Jazz hold the Nos. 3 and 12 picks in the draft, and have the opportunity to pair the selections with young stars Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors. O'Connor dealt Williams with an eye on the future. After rocketing from sixth to third and defying the odds, the GM can suddenly see it.

"I've never had this experience before," said O'Connor, speaking with the media via a conference call from the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J.

The draft will be held June 23 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

O'Connor wore a lucky green tie that his wife picked out, and cuff links that once belonged to his father, a New York City policeman. He joked that his wife will soon take credit for Utah's lottery jump, and added that President Randy Rigby, scout David Fredman, and Vice President of player personnel Walt Perrin better not "screw this up."

But while unpredictable pingpong balls and good fortune played a major hand in the Jazz's forward movement, O'Connor and Utah coach Tyrone Corbin acknowledged that the small-market organization also benefitted from its own long-term planning.

O'Connor gambled hard when he unexpectedly shipped Williams to New Jersey on Feb. 23, giving up an Olympic talent for Devin Harris, Favors' potential and cash. Favors, the No. 3 selection in the 2010 draft, excelled with the Jazz and was recently named to the NBA All-Rookie second team. Harris should be Utah's starting point guard next season. The Jazz still possess a possible 2012 first-round pick courtesy of the deal. And after watching NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver slowly unseal the No. 3 envelope Tuesday and call out Utah's name, the controversial Williams trade is seen in a new light.

"The only thing you can do at point of sale is try and make the best deal for the organization and try and protect the organization in the long term," O'Connor said. "I think we've done that, and now it's [up to] us to make the right pick."

To O'Connor, moving up to No. 3 is the best lottery-related result that has happened to the Jazz in about 20 years. To Corbin, a team that fell apart after Sloan resigned and went just 8-20 under the first-year coach's command instantly feels different.

Corbin is still trying to determine who he wants Utah to be and how he wants his squad to play. But having the No. 3 selection in the draft and being able to likely choose between prospects such as Turkey center Enes Kanter, Czech Republic power forward Jan Vesely and Connecticut point guard Kemba Walker should significantly expand his options. The Jazz's draft board is wide open, Corbin said. Now, it's up to him, O'Connor and Utah's trusted draft personnel to choose wisely.

The last time the Jazz held the No. 3 pick, the organization took Williams instead of Chris Paul. Either way, Utah won. And Williams carried the franchise to the Western Conference finals in just three seasons.

This time?

"We have a chance to get a great kid," Corbin said.

The future's wide open.

The Jazz have hope.

bsmith@sltrib.com Twitter: @tribjazz facebook.com/tribjazz —

Lottery order

1. Cleveland

2. Minnesota

3. Utah

4. Cleveland

5. Toronto

6. Washington

7. Sacramento

8. Detroit

9. Charlotte

10. Milwaukee

11. Golden State

12. Utah

13. Phoenix

14. Houston —

2011 NBA Draft

P Thursday, June 23At the Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.