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On a scale from zero to 10, zero being a burp and a yawn, 10 being a rocket to ride, the Jazz's draft night was a … five, or a six, maybe, a burp and a feeling that OK, that could turn out to be pretty productive, fairly satisfying at some point on down the line.

Despite what some had expected, there was not a holy-hell-hold-onto-your-shorts moment for the Jazz on Thursday night. They were hardly a Sopwith Camel flying through a hurricane.

The bigger action, it appears now, will come over the next couple of weeks, during which the Jazz will have to do meaningful maneuvering in order to either entice Gordon Hayward to stay, or fill a substantial void if he leaves.

In the meantime, during the draft, the Jazz left the big stuff to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who traded their No. 7 pick, Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn for Chicago's No. 16 selection and … Jimmy Butler.

And just like that, the Jazz found themselves battling yet another tough team in an already difficult Western Conference. That bold move made a promising young group with terrific individual players, still getting their legs under them, suddenly a whole lot better, and a little older and wiser. Karl-Anthony Towns? Andrew Wiggins? And now, Butler?

Wow.

It made you wonder if Ricky Rubio, or some other veteran point guard, would become available to Utah. Made you wonder what move(s) the Jazz would yet make.

Well. As mentioned, on this occasion, they chucked a couple of rocks that made something less than a large splash, but something bigger than a ripple across flat water.

They essentially traded Trey Lyles and the 24th pick for Denver's selection at No. 13, for Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell. Thereafter, they bumped up a couple of notches to pick North Carolina center Tony Bradley near the end of the first round.

One Jazz official said the Jazz went "two-for-two" with those picks.

Mitchell is a strong defender also capable of scoring, shooting 46 percent for the Cardinals, but not lighting it up from deep. He did show improvement with the 3-ball during his second college season. He's an explosive, powerful athlete who can finish above the rim — he's got a 36-inch vertical — and, more particularly, cause problems for opponents on defense. He doesn't have great size, at 6-foot-2ish, but his wingspan is a sweeping 6-10.

The guard blew away Jazz executives during his workout in Salt Lake City, and had an impressive interview, indicating that he's a hard-working, character guy. Perhaps he was tipped off about what the Jazz were planning to do because when he was here for that workout, he praised the club and the city to no end.

Either way, the diligence aspect is a huge deal for the Jazz, who like the opportunity to mold athleticism into something more, even if it takes some time. No way that can happen to any significant level if the player's will isn't there. That's something general manager Dennis Lindsey has always stressed.

The Jazz believe Mitchell is exactly that type of prospect.

For his part, the draftee said from New York: "I'm excited to be part of the Jazz organization. It's a dream come true. … This is incredible."

He also said: "I'm just so happy. All the hard work, I'm shaking right now."

There's more work and shaking yet to be done.

Here are a few Scooby-snacks about Mitchell, lifted from his Louisville bio:

• His nickname is "Spider."

• He enjoys watching movies, and playing video games. [Note: Did you hear that last part, Gordon Hayward? How about a teammate-to-teammate showdown at League of Legends, Halo, or Call of Duty?]

• He likes being a DJ.

• He's most proud of his mom.

• He feels like Kevin Hart would be the best actor to play him in a movie.

• Among reality shows, he thinks he would fare best on Real Husbands of Hollywood.

• He wore the No. 45 because it was Michael Jordan's number in baseball and basketball.

• He loves fire trucks.

• His favorite midnight snack: Cap'n Crunch Berry Blast.

• Favorite musician/group: Fabolous and Future.

He listed his favorite NBA player as LeBron James, his favorite team as the Cleveland Cavaliers. He'll learn different.

As for Bradley, top Jazz brass had targeted the UNC big, who is 19 years old, as a player who could grow into his own body and talent, and be helpful to the team whenever he's ready to do so.

The Jazz are fully aware of what is still at stake during this offseason, at this time in their calculated advancement, trying as they must not just to close the gap with the best teams in the West, but also to dodge disaster in appearing to Hayward as though they, unlike enticing suitors back east, are standing pat, satisfied with the status quo.

This is not a time to hope familiarity and sentimentality and the antiquated, crepey-skinned notion of loyalty would be enough to keep their guy.

The Jazz still must find their rocket to ride, having to cover the bases of not simply getting better, but rather looking as though they are getting better. Appearances, in these days of desperation, of freedom of player movement, are as important as reality. Perception as important as points of fact.

They got some work done on Thursday night. The heavy lifting is yet to come.

GORDON MONSON hosts "The Big Show" with Spence Checketts weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 97.5 FM and 1280 AM The Zone. Twitter: @GordonMonson.