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Jazz's ideal draft targets if they're available have become crystal clear

Tony Jones revealed who the Jazz would take if they had the chance.
ByMatt John|
Jan 12, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz CEO and former Brigham Young Cougars player Danny Ainge looks on prior to a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz CEO and former Brigham Young Cougars player Danny Ainge looks on prior to a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

One month after the Utah Jazz were given the worst-case scenario for the 2025 NBA Draft, there's no consensus on who the Jazz should pick. While no one will know for sure until the Jazz make the pick, The Athletic's Tony Jones revealed that the Jazz's best-case scenario would be if V.J. Edgecombe or Tre Johnson were on the table at No. 5.

While talking with renowned cap expert Yossi Gozlan, Jones revealed that the Jazz would love to take one of those two guards but only if they are still available at the No. 5 pick.

"Maybe, best-case scenario: One of V.J. Edgecombe or Tre Johnson are there at No. 5, and the Jazz are like, 'Okay, one of these guys that we really like are available.' Then you pick one of those guys," Jones told Gozlan.

For the record, both of these players are guards, but both are projected to have high ceilings and some skill overlap between them. The big difference is that Johnson is more of a natural all-around scorer while Edgecombe is more of a two-way player.

No matter who they pick, from what Jones is saying here, they are who the Jazz have pinpointed as their guys if they become available. They could play a huge part in the Jazz's foundation as ceiling raisers. The Jazz have been good at getting floor-raisers, but the 2025 NBA Draft gives them a unique opportunity to snag a ceiling-raiser.

For that same reason, they might not be available when the Jazz are on the clock

There have been rumblings that both Edgecombe and Johnson might not be available when Utah gets to pick. Intel from Jake Fischer indicates that the Philadelphia 76ers like what they see from Edgecombe. A recent mock draft from CBS Sports has the Sixers taking Johnson.

Nothing will be set in stone until the draft, but there's a solid chance neither will be there when the Jazz get their turn on draft night. It harps on the very sad reality of what happens when a team doesn't get their way in the lottery.

However, that's not the end of the world with a class like this. The Jazz reportedly have interest in Kon Knueppel, and there's a fair case to be made that they should try to get Ace Bailey if he's available. If Edgecombe and Johnson are already taken, those two will be right there for the taking since Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are expected to go one and two.

Utah may have their two preferences lined up, and if they get one of Edgecombe or Johnson, that's awesome. If they don't, Utah likely won't lose much sleep over it. Even if their tanking didn't get their desired outcome, there's a good chance that no matter what, the Jazz will be happy with their outcome.

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