NEW YORK, June 28 (UPI) -- The Utah Jazz obtained the third overall selection for the 2005 NBA Draft on Tuesday when they completed a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Jazz swapped their two first-round selections in the draft (sixth and 27th overall) and a 2006 conditional first-round pick to Portland to move up three spots. With that selection it is believed that Utah will take either Chris Paul or Deron Williams, both point guards.
"Our mission was to make optimum use of the third pick overall," said Trail Blazers President Steve Patterson. "We were able to move down only three spots and gain two additional first round picks."
For the second consecutive draft, the Trail Blazers will own two first round picks. In the 2004 NBA Draft, Portland took guard Sebastian Telfair with the 13th pick overall and forward Sergei Monia 23rd overall. They traded for New Jersey's first round selection, Viktor Khryapa, picked 22nd overall.
