It's unclear who the Utah Jazz will take with the No. 5 pick in the 2035 NBA Draft. What is clear is that they have a myriad of issues, and at the top of them is their defensive shortcomings. It wouldn't be shocking if they try to address this at the draft, and they would do that if they take the player they're projected to pick from FanSided's latest mock draft: V.J. Edgecombe.
Christopher Kline explained that the Jazz would greatly benefit from what Edgecombe brings defensively.
"Where he really stands out, however, is the defensive end. Edgecombe racks up deflections, hovers for weak-side blocks, and gleefully stonewalls ball-handlers at the point of attack. Pair him with a rim protector like Walker Kessler, and Utah's defensive backbone is awfully solid," Kline wrote.
Again, the Jazz have plenty of issues to address, but it's become apparent how much they would truly benefit from another plus defender. The Jazz ranked last in defensive rating among 30 NBA teams, allowing 119.4 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com. And guess what? The year before, it was the same deal, but only slightly worse.
Fans may misunderstand this information and think it proves Kessler is overrated as a defender. On the contrary, it speaks more to the fact that the rest of the roster is very weak on that side of the floor. The fact that they were still the worst defense in the league despite Kessler's return to form (and then some) shows how badly they need better personnel.
Edgecombe wouldn't solve that, but he's a major step in the right direction.
That's not Edgecombe's only appeal
Kline also explained what else makes Edgecombe so appealing tot he Jazz besides his defense.
"Utah is still lacking its franchise centerpiece. VJ Edgecombe has a long way to go offensively in that respect, but his elite-tier athleticism and bankable shooting gives him a leg up. The handle is still somewhat rudimentary, but Edgecombe has a killer first step and absorbs contact well on drives to the cup. He's also a heady passer, with the vision to evolve into a more dynamic on-ball generator as his skills catch up," Kline wrote.
The modern NBA values two-way players now more than ever. If Edgecombe comes along offensively in addition to his defensive abilities, that's a home run for the Jazz. It could be the foundational player they need in their rebuild, though from the sounds of things, it could be a while before it comes together for him offensively.
Luckily for all sides, the Jazz aren't exactly in a rush in their current state. Picking him might also raise questions regarding how Utah sees Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, and Cody Williams going forward. Still, Edgecombe could start his NBA career already better than them defensively.
And hey, what fans want to see more than anything next season is both promise and progress. Edgecombe could be the sign that times are a-changing for Utah in a good way.