Welcome aboard the Vonleh bandwagon. PG_AB is driving and I'm the co-pilot. I started pimpin' Noah before the combine and official measurements. And my Vonleh "man crush" has only strengthened since then. Would the Jazz like to move up and get Embiid, Parker or Wiggins? Sure, who wouldn't! But I think the price is going to be too high.
DL was surprisingly candid in a recent interview the afternoon after he returned from LA (link was posted in the JazzNews forum). I'm paraphrasing, but he talked about being pleased the Jazz only fell one spot and how, after the combine and watching workouts, he liked the NBA bodies of a few players that would be available when the Jazz picked. He also spoke about doing what is best for the Jazz "long term" and telling prospects in the interviews what to realistically expect because the Jazz had good young players at every position.
I'm really not concerned about the Jazz trading down from #5. Whether it's Vonleh (my guess), Gordon or Smart, I think those three have emerged as the next best outside the top-4. And some would even place one or two of those in that group. Certainly there's a chance the Jazz could move down one or two spots if an offer presented itself, but I think DL wants to come away with a prospective all-star and any of those seven may qualify.
As for going to Europe, yes, Saric would have been scouted. But there are many others who might be considered at #23 or be "draft and stash" candidates at 35. Lindsey was there during the EuroLeague championship. DL has already increased the importance of int'l scouting. He did that last year. So, I think the trip was planned some time ago, not just in response to coaching need or anticipation of finishing in the 5-7 range.
