The Utah Jazz have three first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Which prospect combinations would accentuate their young core the best?
The Utah Jazz's 2022-23 season was a tail of two halves. For a couple months, Utah felt like a real playoff contender with a powerful, dynamic offense led by emergent All-Star Lauri Markkanen and new head coach Will Hardy. Then the trade deadline came, Danny Ainge gutted the roster in exchange for Russell Westbrook, and the rebuild began in earnest.
It's difficult not to be optimistic about the future of this Jazz team. Hardy quickly ascended the head coaching ranks in his first year. For a time, the Jazz managed to blow even the best defenses out of the water despite their second-best player being Jordan Clarkson. Whether you believe Markkanen is a legitimate No. 1 option or a long-term No. 2 star waiting for his primary partner in crime, the foundation of Utah's post-Donovan Mitchell rebuild is remarkably solid.
The Jazz scored big in the 2022 NBA Draft, selecting Auburn center Walker Kessler with the No. 22 pick. He was one of the best rim protectors in the NBA as a rookie and even earned some 'Baby Gobert' comps to pour salt in the wound for Minnesota fans. The Jazz have three selections in this year's draft — No. 9, No. 16, and No. 29. The possibilities are endless. These, however, are the best outcomes within reason.
Perfect NBA Draft combinations for the Utah Jazz
3. Anthony Black, Brandin Podziemski, GG Jackson
Anthony Black is one of the most unique lottery prospects in years. At 6-foot-7, he has the mind of a point guard and the capacity to effectively guard 1-3 on the perimeter. Black's immediate appeal to Utah would be on the defensive end, where his pickpocketing instincts and versatility would address one of the team's primary areas of weakness.
In Brandin Podziemski, the Jazz grab another guard who would complement Black extremely well. Both are high-feel guards who process the game quickly and keep the ball popping. Black doesn't offer much at all as a perimeter scorer, but he's explosive driving downhill and puts ample pressure on the rim. On the flip side, there are concerns about Podziemski's ability to pressure the rim, but he's a crafty scorer who can bomb deep 3s and punish closeouts.
GG Jackson represents an upside swing late in the first round. A former top recruit from the class of 2024, Jackson reclassified and went to South Carolina a year early. The Gamecocks essentially handed him the keys to the offense with extremely mixed results. Jackson isn't up to snuff as a decision-maker yet, but there's inherent appeal in a tank-like 6-foot-9 athlete who can consistently create his own shots.
Jackson would be paired with two selfless playmakers in Black and Podziemski, plus he'd be able to develop slowly while Lauri Markkanen carries the mantle of No. 1 scorer in Utah. Any defensive concerns are partially mitigated by Kessler's presence in the paint, too. The Jazz check a lot of boxes with these picks.
2. Cason Wallace, Jett Howard, Rayan Rupert
Cason Wallace feels like one of the surest bets in the lottery. The 6-foot-3 guard from Kentucky is an absolute world-beater on the defensive end, boasting a 6-foot-8 wingspan and tremendous instincts. He's not an elite athlete, but Wallace has the lateral quickness to stifle ball-handlers at the point of attack and he's always locked in off the ball.
On the offensive end, Wallace can space the floor and supply steady, turnover-averse playmaking from either guard spot. He's not really a primary shot creator due to his lack of burst, but Wallace has a few tricks up his sleeve finishing around the paint and he's a competent pull-up shooter working out of the pick-and-roll.
Jett Howard would give the Jazz a mid-round boost on the wing. He's one of the more advanced offensive players on the board, standing 6-foot-8 with an elite 3-point stroke and flashes of self-creation. His strong baseline as a floor spacer who's comfortable in NBA-style actions like DHOs or pin downs would make him an easy plug-and-play option for Hardy on offense. The defensive concerns are grave, but Howard competes hard and the Jazz have elite backline defense in Kessler.
Rayan Rupert would be a strong get at No. 29 if he tumbles (or, conversely, at No. 16 if Howard tumbles). The French guard by way of Australia's NBL is one of the youngest players on the board. Rupert has a long way to go offensively, but he's a projectable 3-point shooter who fluidly handles the ball — especially in transition. At 6-foot-7, Rupert's size and skill correlation are tantalizing. He's also a dogged perimeter defender who could complement Wallace quite well in the backcourt long term.
1. Nick Smith Jr., Bilal Coulibaly, Dariq Whitehead
Nick Smith Jr. is on the controversial end of the lottery spectrum. He missed significant time to injury as a freshman and the on-court results at Arkansas didn't align with the expectations coming out of high school. Smith was mostly inefficient and he didn't create much for teammates, which could turn some teams off.
The Jazz should peer through the noise and recognize the innate talent. Smith is 6-foot-5 with long arms and effortless touch. His package of floaters, pull-ups, and touch shots inside the arc is magnificent, and any concerns about his 3-point shooting should be tossed out the window accordingly. Smith might not be primary ball-handling material, but he's a deadly off-ball scorer who already cuts and moves like an experienced NBA player. The Jazz got a lot out of guards like Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton last season. Smith would be a wise investment.
Bilal Coulibaly is a lottery-level prospect who can jump out of the gym at 6-foot-7. His long arms (7-foot-3 wingspan) further bolster an impressive athletic profile. At 18 years old, Coulibaly is already one of the best defenders on the board. He frequently soars for weak-side blocks or explodes into passing lanes to generate steals. Not many players his age display Coulibaly's awareness and nose for the ball. He's also a solid spot-up shooter.
Dariq Whitehead could be the steal of the draft if he falls to No. 29, which feels distinctly possible after he underwent his second foot surgery of the year — thus extinguishing teams' hopes of seeing Whitehead up close and in-person before the draft. Also one of the youngest players on the board, Whitehead shot over 42 percent from deep at Duke and flashed impressive upside as a shot-creator during his high school days. At full capacity, Whitehead might be one of the most complete offensive players available. The Jazz would have a lot to celebrate with this outcome.