Utah Jazz tip-off pre-draft workouts with Donte DiVincenzo

The Utah Jazz are hosting their first day of pre-draft workouts and scouring the young crop of talent for a potential selection with their 21st overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

After striking gold in the last year’s draft by selecting rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell, the pressure is on Dennis Lindsey to find another young star to solidify Utah’s growing core. Although the Jazz currently own the 21st pick in the draft, it would be surprising by most accounts to see the Jazz hold firm with that selection.

Utah’s playoff exit at the hands of the Houston Rockets left little doubt that the Jazz have some ways to go before defining themselves as a true championship contender. However, one more talented piece may put them closer to contending than some may imagine.

Whether it’s throwing money at Jabari Parker or Aaron Gordon as a stretch four, making a trade for a second wing scorer or swinging for the fences with a risky draft pick, the Jazz are going to make a bold move in an attempt to bolster their roster this summer.

With this being said, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if the Jazz don’t make a first-round selection in this year’s NBA Draft. If they do, it could involve moving another asset in order to gain a lottery position, as they did last year to acquire Mitchell.

In any event, what Lindsey does with this year’s first-round pick will play a big part in deciding the future of this team.

Saturday marks the day that the Jazz hold their first set of pre-draft workouts. This round is largely for underclassmen who are testing the draft waters while retaining their college eligibility.

National championship game hero and Villanova product Donte DiVincenzo will lead the charge, with Brian Bowen, Wenyen Gabriel, Elijah Bryant, Devon Hall and Jalen McDaniels also looking to impress.

DiVincenzo will likely be under the microscope from the Jazz front office. His fit with Quin Snyder’s system could be seamless right off the bat. Donte is a deceptively explosive athlete that got to the rim at will in college despite being undersized. He’s also a willing passer that shot 40 percent from three last season.

Finally, he’s a hard-nosed and intelligent perimeter defender, with a knack for blocking shots around the rim.

But perhaps the most intriguing prospect working out on Day 1 is Brian Bowen, who was part of the Louisville player payment scandal and has not played a single college game to this point. Bowen was very highly touted coming out of high school, but he’s entering the pre-draft workout process largely as an unknown.

More from Draft

• Grading the Utah Jazz final selection Brice Sensabaugh
• Grading risky decision for Jazz to draft Keyonte George
• NBA Draft: Utah Jazz first round mock draft
• Utah Jazz all-time draft bust starting 5
• Newest CBS Sports’ NBA mock has the Utah Jazz fumbling 2023 draft

Virginia product and sharpshooter Devon Hall will also workout for the Jazz. Hall is picked by most be a mid-to-late second-round pick, largely due to his ability to shoot from beyond the arc, where he made 43 percent of his attempts last season. He’s a nifty finisher around the rim, but he doesn’t have too much in his arsenal that looks like it will translate to the NBA game.

Former Kentucky Wildcat Wenyen Gabriel is also working out for the Jazz. Like DiVincenzo, Gabriel shot a blistering 40 percent from three last season, but from the power forward spot. He won’t be in anyone’s interest as a first-round pick, but given his ability to stretch the floor and his relatively high ceiling, Lindsey may take a deeper look with his second-round pick.

Jalen McDaniels is flying under the radar as an upside pick that may go early in the second round to the right team. McDaniels is a terrific athlete that can handle the ball well for a 6-foot-10 power forward and his fluid movement and good mechanics give him solid chance to become a reliable three-point shooter at some stage.

Next: Was Kyrie recruiting Hayward all the way back in 2014?

Local product and BYU Cougar Elijah Bryant will also get his chance to impress Jazz’s front office.

So the pre-draft process is underway. Last year, it was Mitchell’s workout performance that gave Lindsey incentive to trade up and take him with the 13th overall pick. There could be lots in store for this year’s draft class as well. Stay tuned for more on the Jazz’s pre-draft workouts at The J-Notes.

Statistics courtesy of Sports Reference.