It’s a scary time for Utah Jazz fans right now, as scary as a Goosebumps book, even!
Utah comes into this spooky draft with the #5 pick and has a lot of choices. For fun, I want you to tell me what you would do if you were the Jazz. I’m going to assume, based on the latest intel, that VJ Edgecombe will not be available at 5. Based on everything we’ve seen, it seems like anything could happen at the #4 spot. Even if the Sixers pick someone other than VJ, all intel has said Charlotte will take him at 4, so he won’t be there for Utah. With that said, here are the choices in front of you.
Option #1: Trade up to #3 and take VJ Edgecombe
The most likely way to do this involves taking on Paul George’s contract. The details are not completely clear, but it looks likely that you could get the #3 for Lauri Markkanen and the #5. My guess is that the Austin Ainge would push for more, but for simplicity, let’s roll with this.
The reason to go for Edgecombe is that he looks like a legitimate two-way weapon. His measurements at the combine were solid at 6’4” barefoot with a 6’7” wingspan. And we know about his 1% level of athleticism and speed. He’s also got a high “dawg” percentage with his elite stocks level in college (steals + blocks). Edgecombe is the kind of player that fits a draft culture the Jazz desperately need to stick to. They have to start drafting players who play defense, not just hope they do once they enter the NBA.
Edgecombe has some questions around his handle and jumpshot, but he improved as the season went on to the point where those are looking pretty solid. There’s a reason he’s a consensus pick at this point at #3.
Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Option #2: Pick Kon Knueppel at #5
I’m not sure this is even an option because it feels like Charlotte might be Knueppel at #4. However, you never know how all of this will pan out. Knueppel likely won’t be a star, but it’s hard not to see him as a high-impact starting player for a long time. He can shoot, pass, playmake, and he plays hard on defense. His physical limitations make it hard to see him being an All-NBA player, but you know he’ll give the effort night in and night out. All that said, there is a world where he’s just crafty enough to make an all-star team someday.
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Option #3: Pick Tre Johnson at #5
Johnson is probably the best shooter in the draft. He shot a hair under 40% from three (39.7%) on 6.8 attempts a game. Because he was the main driver of the offense, that is impressive. He’s also shown an impressive midrange game, and it looks like he can be a better passer with more opportunity. Could he be an offensive focal point for the Jazz?
The worry is that his defense is pretty terrible. For a player with a 6’10” wingspan, having less than one steal per game is a little worrisome. Johnson’s defense has not been good, and you’re hoping his offense is so good that it outweighs what he gives up on the other end.
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Option #4: Pick Ace Bailey at #5
There’s a lot to fall in love with when you look at Ace Bailey. He has impressive shot-making ability, he’s got size (smaller than expected at the combine, but still good), and he has some intriguing defensive ability. Bailey looks like the wing every team is looking for to build their team around.
The issue is there are some real red flags. Bailey’s handle needs a ton of work, and that’s not always something that players can develop with time. Also, he’s a finisher, not a passer. Is that a product of playing off Dylan Harper, or is that not part of his game? Maybe those things develop in the league, but things are faster and more difficult in the NBA. There’s also the noise around his agent and the decision not to do any team workouts. The issues with his agent have seriously damaged his perception with teams. As fans, we don’t know the whole story. Is it something the team is willing to work with? Or is it a situation where a player is going to come with baggage that detonates his potential and future?
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Option #6: Pick Jeremiah Fears at #5
Fears reclassified like Cooper Flagg, and is one of the younger prospects in the draft. He’s got a great first step with the best handle in the draft. When you watch him play, the talent jumps off the screen. He can get to wherever he wants on the floor and can score in a variety of ways with floaters, mid-range, and at the rim. He also runs the pick and roll well and should be able to run the pick and roll in the league.
This issue with Fears is size. He was 6’2” at the combine without shoes, and maybe that’s just big enough, but it is worrisome. His defense is not likely going to be impactful, but maybe it can be fine if he has that “dawg” in him.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Option #7: Pick Khaman Maluach
Pick a center at 5? Surely you are crazy! Yes, and don’t call me Shirley.
If there’s one thing that all these championship teams have, it’s an ability to play 5-out while also having elite rim protection. With some development, it looks like that’s exactly what Khaman Maluach can do. What he showed before Duke was an ability to shoot the ball and even handle it. At Duke, he was held to just rolling to the rim on offense. Defensively, he got better and better and was able to do everything: hedge, trap, switch, and drop. His numbers and ability need to improve, but for a player recently discovered in a similar manner to Joel Embiid in Africa, the development trajectory has been impressive. If anyone in this draft is a player who is not done transforming, Maluach is likely to be that guy.
Yes, that likely means a Walker Kessler trade, but maybe Utah isn’t interested in paying a 51% free-throw-shooting non-stretch big $ 25M-$30M. Why not get the guy who transforms your offense and can play any defense you run?
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Make sure to vote in the poll to find out your grisly fate, and make your case in the comment section.
Poll
What should the Utah Jazz do this NBA Draft
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Trade up for VJ Edgecombe
(0 votes)
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Pick Kon Knueeppel at #5
(0 votes)
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Pick Tre Johnson at #5
(0 votes)
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Pick Ace Bailey at #5
(0 votes)
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Pick Jeremiah Fears at #5
(0 votes)
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Pick Khaman Maluach at #5
(0 votes)
0 votes total