The J-Notes
Fansided

Ranking the Utah Jazz rookies before the 2022-23 season

By Jonah Kubicek

Jacksonville State Gamecocks center Brandon Huffman (50) goes up for a layup over Auburn Tigers forward Walker Kessler (13) during the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on Friday, March 18, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated Jacksonville State Gamecocks 80-61.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks center Brandon Huffman (50) goes up for a layup over Auburn Tigers forward Walker Kessler (13) during the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on Friday, March 18, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated Jacksonville State Gamecocks 80-61. /
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The Utah Jazz entered the 2022 NBA Draft with zero picks. Considering the insane haul they have now, it’s almost shocking that none of the four rookies they have were drafted by them. The Jazz got the 14th overall pick, Ochai Agbaji, from the Cavs in the Mitchell trade, signed undrafted free agent Johnny Juzang, free agent Simone Fontecchio, and 22nd overall pick Walker Kessler from the Wolves in the Gobert trade.

Utah Jazz: Where do the rookies rank?

All of these guys have a variety of positions, skill sets, and even ages, which is weird considering they are all rookies. Fontecchio is 26 years old, and none of the new guys were one-and-done players, so all of them could go out and have a beer together.

Kessler, Juzang, and Agbaji all had decorated college careers, but with the exception of Agbaji, none of them were considered lottery picks by anyone. None of these guys have a super high ceiling, mostly due to the fact that they may have already physically peaked, but that doesn’t mean the role players for the next era of Utah basketball haven’t already been signed.

In a loaded 2023 Draft class, Utah is almost sure to find a star next year, but they still have to get through this season, which ought to by abysmal. Hopefully, that means some court time for these young guys, and we can see just exactly what they are made of.