The Utah Jazz will consider themselves lucky if they simply retain their pick when this season is over. However, getting a top-3 pick when it's all said and done would have them doing cartwheels, given how loaded this draft is. Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley projected the Jazz to get the No. 2 pick in his latest mock draft, and who he has them taking (specifically over who) would surprise a few.
Buckley predicted that, with the No. 2 pick, the Jazz would pick Darryn Peterson. Peterson makes a lot of sense as he fills a position of need for Utah. However, picking him also means passing on Cam Boozer, which is something Buckley highlights in his mock draft.
"His upside is obvious, though, and his shotmaking will have you thinking that's already an elite skill. Buy into the notion he'll get back to the explosion and playmaking he displayed in high school, and you start seeing why some teams will still have him as the highest-ranked player in this class.
"While others put Cameron Boozer in the mix, too, the Jazz probably aren't in that camp, because while there could be a starting guard spot awaiting Peterson, there is no such opening for Boozer in a frontcourt featuring Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and (presumably) a re-signed Walker Kessler," Buckley wrote.
Picking Peterson over Boozer makes sense given Utah's needs, but it would be a bold move, as Boozer has ties to the Jazz through his father, the esteemed former Jazz star Carlos Boozer (who currently works for the team!). Cam wouldn't necessarily fit with Utah's rotation, but being Carlos' son would make it harder for a talented player like him to leave the Jazz.
Decisions like those emphasize what's best for the team over sentiment
As cool as it would be to see the son of a well-known Jazz alum make his mark on the league in Utah, what fans prioritize more than anything else is winning a title. It'd be nice for Utah to have it both ways, but it's clear that if they had to pick one, it would be winning a title. In this draft, Peterson would get them closer than Boozer would.
No one's saying Peterson will be the better pro than Boozer, but with the Jazz's current roster makeup, it's clear he gives them something they don't have, while Boozer would only give them a surplus of something that's already a strength.
Among those who understand what it takes to win a title is Danny Ainge, who had no problems making decisions that wouldn't be accepted by the fanbase because of sentimentality, but it more often than not turned out to be the smart move because he didn't let the fans' attachment to anyone dictate his decisions.
No one would complain if the Jazz got Boozer, as his talent is undeniable, but if forced to pick between him and Peterson, Ainge and the rest of Utah's front office would be right to pick the latter, no matter what the reaction would be.