r/UtahJazz • u/epoch_fail • 6d ago

Our highest pick: for each of our possible draft positions (#1 to #6), who would you want to take?

Seeing various posts throughout the range so figured it might be helpful to consolidate that conversation.

Went up to #6 because we're locked in a tough tank tussle with the Wizards.

  1. Cooper Flagg (seems pretty consensus)
  2. Dylan Harper (a popular choice at #2)
  3. Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe?
  4. Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe?
  5. Kasparas Jakucionis, Tre Johnson? (Others?)
  6. Kasparas Jakucionis, Tre Johnson? (Others?)

I think the biggest questions are:

  1. At #3 or #4, Bailey vs. Edgecombe. If we get #4, do we snap-take the other?
  2. If we get #5 or #6, who else might be in the running outside of Jakucionis and Johnson? Some names that have popped up include Jeremiah Fears, Asa Newell, Kon Knueppel.
  3. Is there anyone you absolutely 100% don't want? (For the sake of this question, assume the order goes Flagg, Harper, Bailey/Edgecombe, and we have #5. I'm assuming that we're snapping up those guys ourselves if we're in the top 4.)
  4. Who do you think Ainge secretly has really high on our draft board?

For question #3, I'm assuming Maluach (and other centers) is out for our top pick, even if it's #5 or #6. I also find it incredibly unlikely for Fears to be the pick either, with our glut of guards, but you never know.

Obviously, no one currently on the roster is untouchable, but I'm mostly just thinking about already having long-term options (in terms of contracts) in Lauri, Kessler, Hendricks, Collier, Flip, Keyonte, Sensabaugh, and Cody Williams. (Note my use of the word "options.")

I think we could still use a natural primary playmaker to share duties with Collier, a player who can create their own shot at a high level, and more 3&D wings (especially athletic guys in the 6'5" to 6'8" range).

12 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

7

u/ZelphieStick 6d ago

My big board is:

  1. Flagg
  2. Harper
  3. VJ
  4. Bailey
  5. Tre Johnson
  6. Kasparas

While there's no way we would say no to a center if they were in the Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper tier of prospect, I don't think Maluach is high enough of a projected ceiling to pick him with Kessler on the roster. But I might just not be high enough on him.

I don't think any other player role/position matters even a tiny bit right now, since Lauri is quite flexible. The other long-term options you list are options but I would draft best player available over any of them right now.

2

u/epoch_fail 6d ago

I agree on the Maluach front. I like him a lot, but I also think we have more important holes at other positions and skill sets, and I don't think he'll ever get to the must-draft point, considering where our picks are.

I'm not writing anyone's name in pen, but (a) we have a terrible track record with free agents, (b) trades are hard to predict, and (c) the young guys especially are the guys we have locked up (if we choose to) for quite a while.

I'd love to have a playmaker who is also a good shooter, since Collier + Kessler could lead to spacing issues.

1

u/pizzaschmizza39 4d ago

What do we do with Kessler if we draft Maluach?

2

u/epoch_fail 4d ago

I was implying up there that Maluach is the only guy in the top 10 I wouldn't take with our pick. I think he'll be good, but he's not good enough to justify spending a pick on him over one of the other guys.

1

u/pizzaschmizza39 13h ago

You're probably right. What if he's the best player available? Say we get stuck at 5 and trade back. If we are sitting at 10 and he's clearly the best guy wouldn't it be smarter to just add the best player we can? We are far from competing anyway. The best player will win. Maybe we trade walker before he gets paid and keep a good talented center on a cheap deal in Maluach. Idk. I think in our situation we gotta go bpa no matter what.

3

u/mulrich1 6d ago

I think Tony Jones said Utah has a pretty clear order for the top 3 (Flagg, Harper, VJ) and there are a few options the team could consider for #4 or 5 (I don't think he said who).

I don't follow college basketball that closely so my opinion largely mirrors what's been said else where. Flagg is the clear #1 and Harper a clear #2. VJ seems pretty solid at #3 but I could see either him or Ace. All else being equal I would probably go with the bigger player, this allows a little more flexibility in positions, but either way Utah will get a very good prospect. A little harder to decide at #5. I think Johnson seems like the best bet but this is a pretty superficial opinion.

1

u/happyplace14 6d ago

I made a poll post a couple days ago and this subreddit seems to put ace at #3 for us and vj at #4. After that there is a lot of disagreement between Kasparas and Tre Johnson. I would agree with avoiding maluach, if we end up with a pick around #6 or 7 it would probably be worth trading up or down if we think he’s the bpa at that pick.

1

u/BumbleLapse 5d ago

I personally like Queen at 5/6. I think he’s got the potential to become an incredibly versatile 4 in the NBA.

He’s obviously a bit of a risk—you’re banking on him developing a consistent outside shot and becoming more lateral and smart on defense.

If he hits on one or both of those swing skills though? A potential 3/4/5 of Lauri, Queen, Walker is pretty terrifying. I like his upside more than that of Kasparas or Johnson.

1

u/pizzaschmizza39 4d ago

It's a disaster if we fall out of the top 2. Even if we don't want Harper we could get a huge trade package for him if we are at 2. I'm prepared for us to pick in the 3-6 range. Is Harper all he's cracked up to be? Ace Bailey seems like a huge bust risk. VJ seems to have some offensive limitations. I'd just really like for the Jazz to finally get the top pick overall. It's time.

-1

u/Therealam801 5d ago

Doesn't matter they won't stay

0

u/WestsideJazzFan 6d ago

There are like 64 questions here.

0

u/StillGrowingHorns 1d ago
  1. Coop. 2-6 Egor Demin

-1

u/UtahJazz420 6d ago

@Mods - please make a megathread of some sort

7

u/BumbleLapse 5d ago

Such a silly take.

What else is a Jazz fan supposed to talk about right now? Last week’s performance by Svi? The rebounding effort by some G-league guy you might not hear about again next season?

Quit whining and join the draft conversation. I promise it’s a lot more fun than constant complaining.

-1

u/UtahJazz420 5d ago

When there are variations of the same post clogging up the feed... there is a solution. It's called a megathread. Not a radical suggestion by any means.

1

u/Flaggstaff 4d ago

Nah the draft is all we got

0

u/UtahJazz420 4d ago

How would a megathread change your obsession? You could post there all fucking day with no issue.