Enough time has been spent dwelling on the Jazz coming up short in the lottery. What's done is done, and there can't be any do-overs. However, the Jazz could take advantage of the fact that multiple teams who didn't tank finished ahead of them in the lottery. One in particular stands out: the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs got the second overall pick in the draft, which means they're projected to get Dylan Harper, who projects as a potential franchise player. However, it may take a few years before he reaches his potential. Even though the Spurs have plenty of time with Victor Wembanyama, he's already such an incredible basketball player that they are in a position to win now.
The Jazz can help the Spurs have their cake and eat it, as Air Alamo's Nathan Rogers floated two Jazzmen as players who could help the Spurs: Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson. Give it a read as he has good explanations for why the Spurs should target them.
Because they make sense as targets for the Spurs, the Jazz could use this to potentially move up in the NBA Draft.
How the Jazz & Spurs could work out a deal
This would be based on merely the idea that the Spurs are legitimately interested in Markkanen and Clarkson, and they're probably try to get a bigger fish like Giannis Antetokounmpo first. If Antetokounmpo isn't available, and there's only been smoke, that opens the door for a potential deal.
A few dominos have to fall, but if the Jazz and the Spurs come to a deal, this is what a swap could feel like.
Spurs get: Markkanen, Clarkson, No. 5 pick, more future firsts
Jazz get: No. 2 pick, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson
This trade allows the Spurs to get better help for their playoff aspirations along with a high lottery pick, even if the fifth overall pick isn't quite as high as second.
The Jazz would not only give the Spurs more win-now veterans who could help them from this deal, but they would also help the Spurs get out of a bad contract with Vassell. The Spurs wing has shown his talent, but his lack of progression has made fans begin to lose some of their patience with him.
In Utah, he could have the opportunity to show out to fetch more assets for a team that wouldn't pressure him at all. Barnes would help the Jazz maintain cap flexibility, while Johnson could either be their next starting small forward or be traded for more assets.
Of course, the Jazz would do this on the belief that Harper is their next face of the franchise. Whether his father likes it or not, Harper could be the best overall player the Jazz have had since Deron Williams.
The Jazz have been urged to get younger and focus more on developing their young talent. They wouldn't get super young from this deal, but it is a step towards that direction, and it gives Utah more options.
It's a shame that it would have to come to this, but the Jazz have the assets to adapt to their situation. The Spurs might not be their most likely trade partner, but they are a plausible one.