Q: How has the draft changed since you came into the NBA?

A: I think the big difference is that these guys don’t play 5-on-5 anymore. When I was coming in at all the different camps, we played full games leading up to the draft. That gave coaches a better chance to see players perform in game situations. Now, the scouts get to see them play a lot, but it’s a bit harder for the coaching staff.

Q: What are you and the other coaches expecting from Enes Kanter?

A: Enes is a guy who can rebound and get inside, as well as shoot it a bit from the outside. We haven’t seen him play a lot, but from what we can tell he’s got a really nice shot from about 15 feet out. I gave him a few things to work on this summer if he wants to, and he seemed eager to get better.

Q: What do you see in Alec Burks’ game?

A: He’s got a very good mid-range game and ability to get to the basket. He’s done that so easily that, I think, he hasn’t had to shoot from outside a lot. You might have a concern if you don’t think he has the shooters eye, as we say, but he clearly does. We don’t want to turn him into a jump shooter, though we obviously want him to shoot and make jumpers. But you want to let a guy go to his strengths.

Q: Is it exciting to coach a young team, or does it present unique challenges? Or both?

A: When you have young guys it’s great because they have a tendency to listen better and take more advice. I think the older they get the more they think they know it all, and it’s probably tougher on coaches. We think we have young guys who are talented and are willing to listen, and that’s important. Not all young players are that way.

Q: What are your summer plans?

A: I’m not under contract, so with the lockout and everything I’m just in a ‘wait and see’ situation. Most of us will take off and relax for the next month or two, and I’ll be able to spend some time with my family. We’ll also be working closely with (Tyrone Corbin) to implement his system, whatever that will be, so it will still be a busy summer.

email: mpayne@desnews.com

SALT LAKE CITY — Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor was impressed by the level of effort displayed during the team’s first workout of draft prospects.

“We saw a lot of good competition,” O’Connor said. “Guys got after each other pretty good today.”

Whether that means any of the six players in attendance — none of whom are projected to go before the Jazz’s third and 12th picks — will be drafted by Utah on June 23 remains to be seen.

And good luck trying to pry that information out of O’Connor. Though he spoke for 15 minutes, he offered up six “no comment” answers during a media interview Sunday in regards to specifics about the draft.

Do the Jazz think Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams will be available at No. 3? Is Utah looking for a point guard to groom? Are any of this workout’s attendees — Norris Cole, JaJuan Johnson, Dallas Lauderdale, Shelvin Mack, Markieff Morris or Jeremy Tyler — in the No. 12 range?

“No comment,” O’Connor repeated.

O’Connor only offered up that the Jazz are keeping their options open, that they are doing their homework on all of the prospects and that they won’t pass up Michael Jordan if his name is on the board.

“I think you take the best player available,” O’Connor said. “In this draft, I think you look at it and say, ‘Who’s the best player available?’ and you take him.”

O’Connor did give some insight into what the Jazz are looking for from a player:

“How hard do they play? How successful can they be in our league? And what kind of character do they have?” O’Connor said. “After that, everything else is on the periphery.”

The Jazz will hold their next round of workouts Tuesday, although they haven’t released names of participants.

Utah brass will meet with Turkish standout Enes Kanter, a 6-foot-10 center many mock drafts have going to the Jazz at No. 3. O’Connor brushed off how Kanter canceled an interview opportunity with Utah — and other teams — at the Chicago combine.

“It was a lot about nothing,” O’Connor said of speculation surrounding Kanter’s decision, which some took as him not wanting to play for the Jazz. “He felt uncomfortable because of his background because of his language to sit down for 16 interviews.”

But Kanter did take part in the camp’s drills, which impressed O’Connor.

“He did something to me that obviously no other player has done, and that’s work out there at his draft quote-unquote status,” the Jazz GM said. “We’ll get a chance to sit down with him and have coach with us and get a chance to see him.”

Deron who?

by Eldon Khorshidi / @eldonadam

Call me crazy, but I think the Utah Jazz are in a great situation.

When the Jazz traded away their whole franchise—namely Deron Williams—they were left with a lot more than they bargained for. In Williams’ trail lie chunks of gold that Jazz fans discovered over the last third of the season. Derrick Favors is full of talent, with gross athletic ability and a knack for getting rebounds. Gordon Hayward can already create his own shot with ease and has the drive to play in this league at a high level. Veteran Devin Harris, who has an NBA Finals under his belt, has gas in the tank for at least a few more seasons, and the front-court of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson can compete with any in the NBA.

If Kevin O’Connor makes the right moves in the June Draft, the Jazz can rebuild faster than a set of Jenga. But that’s a big if.

With two lottery picks and no glaring hole on its roster, Utah has several options with the third pick, including trading it to acquire veteran leadership or move back in the draft. I think the Jazz should take the best fit with the most talent. There are probably seven or eight intriguing prospects to consider, but after dissecting each candidate…

With the third pick in the 2011 SLAMonline Mock Draft, the Utah Jazz select…

Brandon Knight from the University of Kentucky.

With Andrei Kirilenko likely to sign elsewhere, the Jazz are in need of a small forward. But with Derrick Williams unavailable, Kawhi Leonard, Jordan Hamilton, and Tobias Harris become the next best at the position and none are worthy of this pick. And one of them, if not all three, will almost certainly be available when Utah is on the clock at No. 12.

Kemba Walker will be considered here, but Walker is molded for more of a combo-guard offense (see Sacramento at No. 7) at the NBA level than a one-man show.

Enes Kanter is intriguing here, but I wouldn’t take him for three reasons. 1) The majority of the hype he’s garnered is basically a result of one showing—at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. 2) Kanter is a power forward, not a center, so playing alongside Derrick Favors and Paul Milsap could hinder his development. 3) Brandon Knight is the best fit with the most talent.

With Devin Harris still producing at a high level, the Jazz can start grooming the 18-year-old Knight for a full season without expectations or mounting pressure. Knight’s maturity and leadership are years ahead of age, as was evident throughout the college season. He, not Terrence Jones or John Calipari, led his team to the Final Four. With a 6-4 frame and long arms, the Jazz will value his defensive versatility, as he could slide in and play minutes at the two-guard. He is a better scorer than passer right now, but he’s not one of those guys who asks for the ball then phases his teammates out or automatically looks to shoot, like we’ve seen with Russell Westbrook this postseason. (By the way, I’m not a Westbrook hater. The kid is realness, just give him room to breathe).

Knight’s upside is higher than Walker’s, and some argue Knight may even turn out better than Kyrie Irving. He is a silent killer, saucing the competition at every level he’s played. He averaged 33 points per game his senior year of high school, then posted a relatively quiet 17, 4, and 4 in Lexington. His crafty arsenal of moves, endless motor, and tremendous upside make him the fourth pick.