The Hive Sports

by Alma Bean

Featured Image by Young Kwak of the Associated Press.

We’re now entering the final 24 hours before the 2023 NBA Draft begins. Though the first overall pick is pretty much spoken for with the San Antonio Spurs slated to pick Victor Wembanyama, there’s 29 other picks to look at in the first round. The Utah Jazz currently owns three of those picks (9,16 & 28) and has plenty of wiggle room.

With three picks in the first round, Utah has a lot of options at their disposal but leaves a lot of tough decisions. With the rumors that have been circulating, this is what Utah should do and would do with each pick. With each pick there are some trade rumors and those will be included as well.

Number 9

Having the ninth pick is a pretty commanding position for Utah to be in. Utah has only had the ninth pick once in franchise history. Utah selected Gordon Hayward with that pick in 2010. With the ninth pick comes a lot of rumors as well. Just in the last 48 hours, there have been rumors per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, that Utah has talked with the Detroit Pistons (no. 5), Orlando Magic (no. 6) and Indiana Pacers (no. 7) about moving up in the draft. These trade packages would involve not only the ninth pick, but potentially more draft capital and even players. In Fischer’s report, he had mentioned that the Washington Wizards (no. 8) are pursuing Arkansas guard Anthony Black, which is a big target for Utah. With Utah rumored to pursue Black, this creates a guard heavy roster.

This has also led to multiple sources stating that Utah guard Collin Sexton is on the trade block for the right price. Sexton is owed over $17 million this season and over $50 million over the next three seasons. Utah currently has five guards on their roster (pending player options) with four of them being ball dominant. If all current options were declined, Utah would have a practical cap space of around $47.5 million this off-season. If Utah decides to move from Sexton this quickly, expect some major acquisitions either in the draft or free agency.

Pick Projections

Alma’s Pick: Cam Whitmore

If there’s no trade, Black will be off the board and Utah will take Whitmore. Utah fans will still be able to rejoice as they will be receiving an amazing player that will be ready to score the moment he puts on his draft cap. The 6’7” forward out of Villanova showed his explosive ability on the court when it mattered, including a 26-point performance against Xavier. His ability to create for himself and attack on both ends of the court will be a great asset off the bench his rookie season.

Trade Pick: Anthony Black

If Utah were to make a trade to acquire Black, this is the package I see making the most sense for both teams:

Indiana Receives – Collin Sexton, Pick 9, Pick 16

Utah Receives – Buddy Hield and Pick 7

This trade will benefit both teams for the future and on the offensive end. Indiana is able to gain more draft capital and build their young roster at a reasonable price. Indiana will also have a younger guard to pair with Tyrese Haliburton that can get to the hoop aggressively while bringing in a new hype man.

For Utah, they will be able to have Kris Dunn move into the starting lineup and Black will be able to learn from a veteran guard while being able to command the bench unit to start the season. The addition of Hield will give Utah veteran presence that will elevate their perimeter offense. Hield would move into the starting shooting guard position, if Jordan Clarkson opts out of his contract, and serve as a model for Ochai Agbaji. Agbaji played a similar architype as Hield has shown over the years and may help him elevate his own game in his sophomore year.

Projected Pick: Taylor Hendricks

The 6’9” forward from UCF is a fit for any NBA team. His two-way versatility being able to be a pull-up threat on the offensive end and able to capitalize on his on-ball defense. He’s able to guard the one through four spots and if he were to bulk up a bit, he could even be seen as a small ball five in the future. Being the bench replacement for Lauri Markkanen seems like a big upside for Utah for the near future.

Number 16

This will be the third time Utah will have the 16th pick in franchise history, the last time being in 2004 for Kirk Snyder but the most notable being John Stockton in 1984. Just outside of the lottery picks, Utah will either be blessed with players projected in the lottery to fall outside or settle for someone they may not be fully committed to.

Pick Projections

Alma’s Pick: Jalen Hood-Schifino

Something Utah struggled with last season was play making from the guard position. It seemed like most of the time Utah would either have the guard force their way towards the basket or there would be a turnover. With Hood-Schifino, he’d not only be able to drive on his own, but he’d be able to create for himself and his teammates. He thrives in the pick-and-roll game which both Walker Kessler and Damian Jones run with ease. If Utah head coach Will Hardy runs a similar offense this season, Hood-Schifino will thrive in Hardy’s system.

Trade Pick: N/A

Since the 16th pick was traded with the previous pick, it is no longer available.

Projected Pick: Cason Wallace

The 6’2” guard from Kentucky, would complement the projected ninth pick in Hendricks. Wallace has a great feel for the game and able to flip a switch from facilitating and being a catch-and-shoot threat. Wallace’s 6’8” wingspan will make defenders think twice before trying to make a tight window pass as he averaged two steals per game last season. This will still leave Utah with a small guard room, but the wingspan will put teams on notice.

Number 28

Utah has had the 28th pick three times in franchise history. The last time was in 1999 with Scott Padgett. The other 28th picks were Greg Ostertag in 1995 and the franchise’s first ever pick Aaron James in 1974. Thankfully for Utah, all three of these players had long serviceable careers in the NBA. For Utah’s sake, they’re looking to go four for four in that category.

Projected Picks

Alma’s Pick: Trayce Jackson-Davis

Jackson-Davis screams excellent defense. The 6’9” forward from Indiana has proved over the last four years that he easily can track the ball on defense nearly averaging three blocks per game last season. Jackson-Davis will also be able to help Utah in two categories that they struggled in, offensive and defensive transitions. Whether he’s the facilitator or the finisher, Jackson-Davis gets the ball in the hoop with ease. Being 23 years old is a big downside to Jackson-Davis’s draft stock, but with a style of play similar to John Collins and Kelly Olynyk, he’s worth the risk at the 28th pick.

Trade Pick: Future Draft Capital

With Utah potentially not having a first-round draft pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, if Utah wants to build through the draft, it needs to be done sooner rather than later. A trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder would make sense for both teams:

Oklahoma City Receives: Pick 28

Utah Receives: 2024 First-Round Pick (UTAH)

With this late of a draft day acquisition, it is unknown if a player this late will make an NBA roster. Oklahoma City would be able increase their depth at a cheaper price as their payroll begins to increase with their young talent. Utah will benefit from having full control over their pick next season and given the opportunity to build their roster further through the draft.

Projected Pick: Dariq Whitehead

With Whitehead currently recovering from a foot injury, he could either be seen as a steal or a bust. The 6’6 guard from Duke is an excellent defender and great at self-creation on offense. Whitehead has a good amount of potential but his recovery from his foot surgery will truly determine his value and his contributions to an NBA team.

Overview

Alma’s Picks:

Cam Whitmore (9), Jalen Hood-Schifino (16), Trayce Jackson-Davis (28)

With three draft picks Utah would have subs for all five positions. All these draft picks have the ability to play two to three positions all while excelling on both ends of the floor. These players all have the ability to create on their own while also being able to facilitate the ball in the frontcourt or backcourt. All three have the ability to be impactful in a starting role or off the bench and that has more value to a team than a dollar amount found in free agency currently.

Trade Picks:

Indiana Receives: Collin Sexton, Pick 9, Pick 16

Oklahoma City Receives: Pick 28

Utah Receives: Buddy Hield, Pick 7, 2024 First-Round Pick (UTAH via OKC)

Having all of these trades go through would be absurd in Utah’s case. Going from three picks to one isn’t beneficial. If any of these trades were to go through, the transaction between Oklahoma City and Utah would be the best deal. Little risk is involved, both teams retain draft capital and able to build for the future.

Projected Picks:

Taylor Hendricks (9), Cason Wallace (16), Dariq Whitehead (28)

These picks are all great in theory but only two of the three players are likely to pan out. Hendricks and Wallace will receive great time off the bench, occasionally making their way into the starting lineup whether it’s schemed, earned or due to injuries. Whitehead has a big question mark due to his recent surgeries with two procedures back-to-back on the same foot. As a guard having foot problem before entering the NBA is a red flag but Stephen Curry was in the same boat. For Utah’s sake, I want to be proven wrong. Until then, I only see Hendricks and Wallace performing in a Jazz jersey.

What’s Next

The 2023 NBA Draft will be broadcasted on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN app on June 22, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. EST. Both ABC and ESPN will broadcast the first-round, but ESPN will cover the entirety of the draft.