Three projected second-round picks the Utah Jazz should keep an eye on
Potential Utah Jazz draft pick #2: Yannick Nzosa, C, Unicaja (Spain)
We know that Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder likes traditional big men. His system requires four-out spacing, with a rim-running / rim protecting big man in the middle. Yannick Nzosa projects as a player who can at least do the latter at an elite level.
In fact, he was once regarded as a potential lottery pick. Nzosa’s unique blend of length and lateral mobility makes him a high-level defensive prospect in the mold of rookie sensation Evan Mobley. Unfortunately, that’s where any Mobley comparisons stop.
While the recent lottery pick has a refined offensive game, Nzosa’s is practically non-existent. Even as a pick-and-roll finisher, Nzosa has demonstrated bad hands that leave him struggling to catch or finish.
Much like Dieng, he’s a project, and one with a lower ceiling. Still, he’d have the opportunity to learn under the best defensive big man in basketball in Salt Lake City. If he can meet his defensive potential, he could eventually be worth any long term offensive limitations.
Potential Utah Jazz draft pick #3: Hyunjung Lee, SF, Davidson
The Utah Jazz like shooters. In fact, their entire offensive infrastructure is built around them. In that sense, they typify the modern NBA.
Hyunjung Lee is a shooter.
He isn’t much else. As a 6’7 wing, Lee is athletically limited, which puts a ceiling on his defensive ability. He’s also a subpar ball-handler, which limits his offensive game outside of splashing triples.
A 6’7, athletically limited, foreign born wing. That should sound familiar to Utah Jazz fans.
Granted, Lee would have a long way to go to become the next Joe Ingles. He hasn’t flashed that type of playmaking potential. Still, he’s connecting on 37.9% of his triples for Davidson this year, which pales in comparison to the 44.2% he hit last season.
He may not be a superstar, but with his consistent, picture perfect shot mechanics, he could be a great fit in Quin Snyder’s offensive system.