The J-Notes
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Could the Utah Jazz get the first overall pick in 2023?

By Jonah Kubicek

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Victor Wembanyama of LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne shoots during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague match between Real Madrid and LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne at Wizink Center on March 17, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Victor Wembanyama of LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne shoots during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague match between Real Madrid and LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne at Wizink Center on March 17, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images) /
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Jan 15, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) dribbles the ball against Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors (15) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) dribbles the ball against Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors (15) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Step one: make sure you lose games

The best way for the Jazz to ensure that they don’t compete next season would be to trade star Donovan Mitchell. It seems like the Knicks are the frontrunners to land him, regardless of what other reports say. It seems like the Jazz are trying to get six first-round draft picks from the Knicks, but New York is hesitant to part with that much capital. Instead, let’s say Utah manages to snag the Knicks’ 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029 first-round picks, in a deal that is much more reasonable.

That leaves the Jazz with four picks in the first round in the upcoming draft. Since the Knicks and Wolves are both looking to contend, and the pick from the Nets is likely coming from the Sixers or Nets, only their own pick will be in the lottery with significant odds.

The Jazz will also have several future picks from the Timberwolves and Knicks, so they could package future picks to get even more current ones.

The only teams that seem to be invested in a long-haul tank are the Magic, Rockets, Thunder, and Spurs. The Magic will need to see how Paulo Banchero plays in the league, but their core of Wagner, Suggs, and Anthony are still a few years out. The Rockets are the NBA’s youngest team, but Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green seem to be on their way. The Thunder have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, but Chet Holmgren is a long-term investment who might not become a starter until year three. The Spurs traded away Dejounte Murray and seem to be investing heavily into 19-year-old Josh Primo, so they could be dormant for a while. If the Jazz manage to lose a ton of games after shipping off Mitchell, the franchise could sell their assets and make a run to get a star rookie now.