Utah Jazz: 5 Wings to target in the NBA Draft

In a draft that is starting to look surprisingly deep, the Utah Jazz are going to have their choice of solid wings at pick number 21.

Obviously we all want our team playing as late into the season as possible, but I’m not going to lie, I love the NBA offseason. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. It’s unpredictable, and can completely alter the direction of the franchise.

With both the draft lottery and draft combine now in the rearview mirror, things are becoming clearer and clearer in regards to the 2018 NBA Draft. The Utah Jazz will be selecting 21st overall, and there are a few key needs that they can fill with that selection.

While the 21st pick doesn’t typically garner starter quality players, hidden gems can be found, and the Jazz have a history of capitalizing on late first and even second-round picks. Rudy Gobert, Rodney Hood, CJ Miles and Paul Millsap were each players selected in the late first round or even the second, and yet they were able to prove themselves as long-term rotational players and even stars.

So who do the Jazz target this time? Based on team need, they could be targeting a big-bodied wing player who can contribute through defense and shooting. Ideally both.

There are other avenues this team could take. They often go with a best player available approach to the draft, and based on Dennis Lindsey’s history, Jazz fans should almost expect a trade…probably with Denver.

Assuming they are going to be searching for a wing player, here are five players to familiarize yourself with.

Keita Bates-Diop — Ohio State, SF, 6’8-1/2″

Say hello to the Big 10 Player of the Year, Keita Bates-Diop. As a senior with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Bates-Diop averaged 20 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 36 percent from three.

At 6-foot-8½, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he has the size, length and athleticism to guard multiple positions, and could fit seamlessly into Utah’s rotation. Most rookies are detractors on the defensive side of the ball, but Bates-Diop could conceivably step right in and have a positive impact for an already dominant Jazz defense.

On top of his defensive versatility, Bates-Diop looks to have a solid offensive repertoire. He reminds me a lot of Otto Porter in Washington. He is likely never going to be the leading scorer on a team in the NBA, but he can be a solid third option. He can shoot, drive and post-up smaller players on switches. He plays within the offense, mostly off the ball, but can create his own shot in a pinch.

Bates-Diop was a senior with Ohio State, so he is already 22 years old. One of the benefits of drafting a player like him, is you are not likely waiting years on his development. You are getting a player who is already close to the finished product, and can step in and contribute right away.

I really can’t think of a player in the draft who checks more boxes for what the Jazz are needing next season.

Donte DiVincenzo — Villanova, SG, 6’5″

By now, every basketball fan has heard the name Donte DiVincenzo. He was the hero of the National Championship game, and won the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Largely on the back of his 31-point, 10-of-15 shooting performance in the final game.

He has shown that said performance was no fluke, as he has continued to impress with strong combine measurables, and solid five-on-five play.

https://twitter.com/AthleticDesires/status/998487919131115520

While Divincenzo broke out in the National Championship game with an incredible scoring performance, he has proven to be much more comfortable as a role player. He would be a terrific fit with the Jazz as a scorer off the bench. He also seems to fit the culture of the Jazz, as a hard-nosed player who is willing to do the dirty work; a guy who lays it all out there on the court.

He is not the best defender, but it’s not for lack of trying. He doesn’t have an impressive wingspan, and he can get overpowered by bigger wings at times. He is smart though, and plays team defense.

DiVincenzo is one of the harder players to peg in this draft. I have seen mock drafts projecting him to go as high as the mid-teens, while others have him going at the very end of the first round. He has officially signed an agent though, so there is no doubt remaining that he will be entering the draft.

Jacob Evans III — Cinncinnati, Small Forward, 6’6″

Jacob Evans is built like a tank. Think Jae Crowder light in regards to his physical frame. From what I have heard, Evans is viewed as one of the most defensively ready players in this year’s draft. He is 6-foot-6, with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, 200 pounds of muscle, and has even shown real potential as a 3-point shooter.

He does not have off the charts athleticism, but he plays with a high motor, and has the size and length to defend multiple positions. He is an advanced off-ball defender and communicates well with his teammates.

On offense, his limitations will manifest themselves. He has a slow first step, which is going to make it hard for him to create looks for himself. He can be an effective off-ball player though, and in an offense like Utah’s, he should get open looks. While he hasn’t really learned to shoot off the dribble, he has an NBA-ready spot-up shooting game.

As far as classic 3-and-D prospects go, Jacob Evans may be one of the best in this draft.

Shake Milton — SMU, SF, 6’6″

If the Jazz were to release Alec Burks, Shake Milton would be a player I could see them bringing in as a suitable replacement. While Burks is listed as a two guard, he often spent time as the lead ball handler for the Jazz. Milton had a similar role for SMU. He is listed as a shooting guard, but he would often slide over and take over point guard duties.

He has proven to be an effective defensive player, whose lateral quickness and seven-foot wingspan is a terror for opposing guards. He averaged 1.4 steals per game last season with SMU, and could be paired with any number of current Jazz players to form a formidable defensive backcourt.

One of the most impressive notes on Milton is that he had the highest Player Impact Plus-Minus of any guard in the draft.

Many of the player comparisons I have seen liken him to George Hill. Hill thrived under Quin Snyder and his system, and it is very plausible that Milton could as well.

One of the most intriguing parts of Milton’s game is his 3-point shooting. Last season, he converted on 43.4 percent from three. He is also an unselfish player, who could easily fit into a pass-heavy offense. He averaged 18 points per game, but was also able to contribute an impressive 4.4 assists per game.

Remember the name Shake Milton, because he could be an extremely good 3-and-D wing, and one that the Jazz certainly have their eye on.

Chandler Hutchison — Boise State, SF, 6’7″

After he pullied out of the draft combine suddenly, news surfaced that Chandler Hutchison had received a promise to be drafted in the first round.

It later emerged that the Chicago Bulls are likely the team that made that promise. They have the 22nd pick though, which means the Jazz could swoop in and select him prior to the Bulls getting a chance.

They would be getting quite the player if they did.

At 6-foot-7, Hutchison is a versatile offense talent who would give the Jazz a much-needed playmaker at the wing. He became a strong spot-up 3-point shooter, can pull up off the dribble, and is a solid straight-line driver who can finish effectively with either hand. All the evidence you need of him as a scorer can be seen in the video below of his 44-point explosion against San Diego State last season.

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He’ll have to prove that he can guard smaller, quicker guards, but he theoretically has the size and lateral quickness to effectively switch the one through four. He didn’t participate in the combine, so there are some questions marks regarding his measurables. He is a player who could step in and have an impact right away though. That could be exactly what a playoff team like the Jazz is wanting.

The Bulls may have promised Hutchison that they would select him at No. 22, but if he is available when the Jazz are on the clock, it will be hard for them to pass up on his scoring and defensive potential.