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Even before Alec Burks underwent his third surgery in 18 months — strictly minor in nature, Burks is expected to be ready for the upcoming season—- the Utah Jazz needed to address the wing position. Utah's 2015-2016 playoff run, in part, was derailed by injury and a lack of depth at those two spots.

So Burks' surgery, however minor, served as a nice reminder that the Jazz need another shooting guard, or another small forward. Whichever it is doesn't especially matter. As long this player can add to the bench production, and shoot the ball. Those, essentially, are the two requirements.

It isn't known whether Utah will use Thursday's NBA draft to select a wing, or whether the Jazz will wait until free agency. But if they do, the group in this draft offers an interesting mix of options.

And having options are always good from Utah's perspective.

"At our position at number 12, it's a very small group of wings that we can look at," said Walt Perrin, Utah's vice president of player personnel. "That group expands if we move back in the draft. There are some that we like that we've brought in. So we just have to see where we are."

Perrin's right. The Jazz are in a sort of tweener land at No. 12. The best small forward in the draft, Duke's Brandon Ingram, is expected to be gone by the second pick. There is Cal's Jaylen Brown, athletic and explosive at 6-foot-6, but the Jazz aren't expecting him to be available by the time they pick, either.

Two wings have been invited to the NBA draft green room by the league, a strong indication that their stock lies somewhere in the first half of the first round: Syracuse's Malachi Richardson and Washington's Dejounte Murray.

The Jazz have had both in town for individual workouts, and liked what they saw of both, particularly Murray. However, Perrin said the front office sees him strictly as a point guard. And selecting Richardson may be a stretch at 12.

"We're very pleased with what's available, or what could be available at 12," Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said.

An intriguing dynamic with the group is the type of prospect the Jazz could potentially latch on to. In Murray, or Richardson, or Turkish guard Furkan Korkmaz, or Florida State's Malik Beasley, there is untapped potential. These are young prospects with plenty of room to grow. At the same time, they may not be ready to help instantly. And with the Jazz looking to lock in on a postseason run next year, that may not be the way they want to go.

On the other hand, someone like Denzel Valentine from Michigan State is experienced. He's played four years of college basketball. He's been through adversity, and Perrin has said he can envision him stepping right away into coach Quin Snyder's rotation. The issue with Valentine? He's much closer to his ceiling as a player than some of his younger counterparts. That, and he's not the best defender in the world.

"Valentine's a very good player and he knows how to play," said Alex Kennedy, managing editor of basketballinsiders.com. "He's a very good shooter, he's a good passer, he can play multiple positions and he has excellent intangibles. He's the kind of guy who's NBA ready. And the Jazz are a team with so many young guys that they may want somebody who can make an impact from day one."

Should the Jazz decide to trade down, there are multiple options, including Beasley and Baylor's Taurean Prince. There is also St. Joseph's forward DeAndre Bembry, whom the Jazz were impressed with in Chicago at the pre-draft combine.

The possibility is also real that the Jazz don't address the position in the draft. The front office has maintained they will take the best player available, regardless of position. If that is true, the Jazz will almost certainly have to go after shooting guards and small forwards aggressively once free agency hits.

"They can certainly take that approach," Kennedy said. "There will be some good two-way players on the market, who can shoot the ball and defend. I just think health is going to be huge for the Jazz. Everyone wants to see what Burks can do. If this team can stay healthy, it has a chance to be scary."

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Three wings the Jazz could take at 12

Jaylen Brown, California • The Jazz aren't expecting him to drop that far ; he's projected to be taken in the top 10. But if he does, Utah would give serious thought to selecting him.

Malachi Richardson, Syracuse • More of a shooting guard, definitely a shooter. Richardson made his name as a freshman at Syracuse, leading the Orange to the Final Four.

Denzel Valentine, Michigan State • The Jazz feel he can play and is NBA-ready. His upside is limited, but he projects as a valuable piece at the NBA level.

Three wings the Jazz could take, if they trade down

DeAndre Bembry, St. Joseph's • Does a bit of everything. Is athletic, can shoot, can pass. He really impressed at the NBA pre-draft combine.

Malik Beasley, Florida State • Good scorer, good athlete. Can get to the basket, or shoot the ball with range.

Taurean Prince • Has a lot of DeMarre Carroll in him. Has a chance to be a very good shooter and defender at the NBA level. Was a college teammate of Jake Lindsey, Dennis Lindsey's son.