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Chicago • Caleb Swanigan wants to stay in the NBA draft, but the power forward out of Purdue will only do so if assured he will get selected and can help an NBA team.
Short of that, he says he will go back to school. So, unlike many prospects at this week's combine, Swanigan chose to get on the floor in team settings to prove himself.
"I've always been labeled as undersized and looked over," Swanigan said. "I feel like close to getting to the next level, but I have to make sure that I go up another level. I have to keep working, and I feel like I have to showcase what I can do."
Swanigan spent one season with the Boilermakers before declaring for the NBA draft. He's originally from Salt Lake City and almost moved back and attend East High two years ago. But he stayed in Indiana for family reasons.
The result? Swanigan has a good chance of making it to the NBA, whether it be this year or in the future. At 6-foot-9, with long arms and good anticipation, Swanigan displayed his rebounding ability. He has a soft touch in the paint, can score with either hand with his back to the basket and has a nice jumper out to 18 feet.
Still, Swanigan's one of those prospects on the fence. He hasn't hired an agent, meaning he can return to Purdue. That he was invited to the combine is an indication that teams think he has a chance to get picked in the first round. But if he goes back to Purdue, he would be a featured guy on the interior.
"I feel like I played well," Swanigan said Thursday. "Every shot didn't go in. But the team won and I feel the team played well, and winning is what matters."
A second chance
New Minnesota Timberwolves General Manager Scott Layden spoke with The Tribune on Thursday. Layden — the former Jazz general manager — is going to Minneapolis following a stint with the San Antonio Spurs.
"San Antonio was such a special place," Layden said. "I was overwhelmed to have a chance with such a great organization. I'm not where I am without the Spurs, or without the Utah Jazz. I look back on those days I spent in Utah, and I feel very fortunate."
Coming through
The Jazz interviewed a number of lottery pick prospects on Thursday, including California small forward Jaylen Brown and Washington power forward Marquese Chriss. ... The Jazz have a number of representatives in Chicago, including General Manager Dennis Lindsey and head coach Quin Snyder. ... The Jazz didn't interview University of Utah prospect Jakob Poeltl, but are interested in bringing him to Salt Lake for a workout.
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