The Utah Jazz have three first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, and they will be looking to jumpstart their rebuild. Lauri Markkanen became an All-Star last season, and Walker Kessler is their center of the present and future. The Jazz must build out their roster around them, and it starts with the ninth pick in this draft.
Utah has a hit-and-miss draft history that includes home runs and strikeouts. President Danny Ainge drafted Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, while he was in Boston. They are hoping he continues that track record in Utah. It started with Kessler, but can he keep it up this year?
The Jazz will play a key role in this year’s draft. Rafael Barlowe of NBA Big Board shared the rumors that the Jazz are targeting Bilal Coulibaly (subscription required) at nine, and they could try to trade up for a second lottery pick, but what should fans be cheering for on Thursday night.
2023 NBA Draft events Utah Jaz fans should root for
5. Jazz draft point guard of present and future
Utah has a gaping hole on their roster at the point guard position. Jordan Clarkson is one of the NBA’s best sixth men, but he could decline his player option and head into free agency. Collin Sexton is also a scoring guard, and Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer noted that the Jazz have made him available on the trade market. Utah desperately needs a true point guard that can lead their attack.
Utah should leave the Barclays Center on Thursday night with their point guard of the present and future. The Jazz have three first-round picks this year plus seven firsts from other teams moving forward. Utah owes their 2024 first-rounder to the Thunder, but they have plenty of selections to trade. The Jazz should walk away with their preferred ball-handler and at least one other talented prospect.
Fans should be rooting for the Utah Jazz to draft a point guard, but that will be far from the only thing to cheer for on June 22.
4. Multiple trades in the lottery
The San Antonio Spurs won the lottery and will select Victor Wembanyama first overall. That is about all anybody knows about the 2023 NBA Draft right now.
Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller are projected to go second and third overall in some order, but where will they land? Multiple teams are looking to trade up, and the Trail Blazers want win-now help. Could the third overall pick be moved on draft night?
The chaos does not end with the top three. The Rockets, Pistons, Pacers, and Mavericks are all rumored to be shopping their picks. Some are looking to trade down and others are searching for immediate upgrades that can help them get back to the playoffs in 2024. Could fans see chaos on draft night with picks changing hands all over?
The Utah Jazz want a second lottery pick, and they could be the beneficiary of so many teams looking for deals. Fans should be rooting for multiple selections to get moved because that only increases the Jazz’s odds of capitalizing. Can they get a second top-ten selection? The Jazz are likely targeting a point guard, but can the front office move up far enough to get their desired prospect?
The Utah Jazz might not just be trading up in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
3. Jazz trade veterans for more picks
Utah should be looking to trade Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Kelly Olynyk for additional draft capital. Sexton and Clarkson can both flat-out get buckets. Teams may be scared off by Sexton’s contract, but Clarkson has a $14.2 million player option for next season. Can the Jazz get him to opt-in and trade him to a contender hungry for a sixth man?
Olynyk is also in the final year of his contract. The versatile forward should draw interest from across the league, and the Jazz should try to capitalize on his value.
Utah should be back in the lottery next year as they continue their rebuild. The Jazz need more talent, and all three of those veterans will be past their prime by the time Utah is ready to make the playoffs again. The franchise should capitalize now and get the maximum return.
Fans should be rooting for the Utah Jazz to trade away a veteran. That means the Jazz moved up or acquired more draft picks. Both are key parts of their rebuild and should be a focus on Thursday night.
The Utah Jazz are unlikely to be involved in a league-altering trade, but fans should still cheer for one to go down.
2. Surprise blockbuster trade
The rumor mill has been white hot leading up to the draft with massive names being thrown out all over. Bradley Beal was already traded to Phoenix, but who is next? Damian Lillard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zion Williamson, Zach LaVine, Bam Adebayo, and Pascal Siakam have all been mentioned in recent rumors. Does an All-Star get traded on draft night?
Fans should be rooting for a blockbuster trade, but there is nothing better than one nobody saw coming. Think about the shock of Rudy Gobert getting sent to Minnesota or Donovan Mitchell going to Cleveland instead of the Knicks. Those surprise moves always create a little more drama and buzz.
With so many top draft picks available, some franchise could make an offer another cannot refuse for a star player. Could the Pelicans move Brandon Ingram? Does Trae Young get dealt? Could the NBA world be buzzing as reigning MVP Joel Embiid leaves the 76ers? None of those moves are real or likely to happen, but fans should root for something like that. An out-of-nowhere trade that gets everyone talking.
The 2023 NBA Draft is going to be a memorable night. Victor Wembanyama will enter the league, but a blockbuster trade could steal some of that shine and get the entire world buzzing.
1. Jazz trade-up for 2nd lottery pick
Utah wants to package 16 and 28 for another lottery selection. How far can the Jazz move up? The Hawks and Pelicans appear eager to make a trade, but is 14 overall high enough for Utah to get the prospect they want? The Jazz could be looking to trade with the Mavericks at ten, but it may cost them a future first-rounder to move up that far.
Fans should be rooting for Utah to jump into the lottery. They could walk away with a skilled point guard and wing as tent poles of their rebuild. The Jazz would love to select Bilal Coulibaly and a Cason Wallace-type point guard. Danny Ainge will shoot for upside as he looks to land a star to anchor his roster.
The Utah Jazz will be active and aggressive in the 2023 NBA Draft. What moves can they make? It will be fascinating to watch, and fans should be rooting for the franchise to get two skilled prospects that they believe in. They can enjoy them in summer league and get excited about the future.
Utah already has two skilled big men, so adding a guard and a wing could be a special foundation that gets them back to the playoffs in short order. Will the Jazz trade up in the 2023 NBA Draft? Who do they select in the lottery? It will be an exciting night, so please, tune in and enjoy the show.
Utah Jazz all-time draft bust starting 5
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