Not too long ago, the Utah Jazz's reported best-case scenario would be to draft one of V.J. Edgecombe or Tre Johnson with the No. 5 pick. The only catch would be that it's far from guaranteed that either will be available by the time the Jazz pick. As it turns out, there's a way for Utah to make their dreams come true, but it would come at the cost of taking on Paul George's albatross contract.
The Salt Tribune's Andy Larsen revealed that the Philadelphia 76ers are willing to trade down with the Jazz from No. 3 to No. 5, but the Jazz would have to take George for their troubles.
“I do think it’s true that the Philadelphia 76ers are interested in trading down to No. 5, potentially if they can get off the Paul George deal and that contract," Larsen said.
Before anyone freaks out, Larsen added that George's deal may be too repulsive for Utah to acquire.
"That may not make a lot of sense for the Jazz, given how long that contract is and how iffy Paul George was. I don’t think the Jazz are gonna take that offer, but I do think that’s an offer that’s been presented.”
Larsen also clarified later on that this has only been discussed, and there hasn't been any real traction.
Welp, got aggregated today.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) June 18, 2025
I’ll say this as a point of clarification: while all of the possibilities I mentioned (Sexton to Dallas, LAL interest in Kessler, PHI interest in a pick 3/5 swap) have been discussed, they haven’t gotten into the serious stages to my knowledge.
It makes perfect sense why the Sixers would want to do this. George was unquestionably a bust in his first year in Philadelphia, and with his mid-30s approaching, there's a very high probability that his max contract will only get worse with time. However, that is their mistake, and Utah shouldn't have that cross to bear if they don't think they need to.
Two strong reasons why the Jazz say no
The first reason the Jazz wouldn't take the Sixers up on this offer was hinted at above. George's contract is not only bad, but it's very possible that they'd be stuck with it for the next three years if they inherited it. While it's not like the Jazz are exactly a hotspot for top-notch free agents, that's a tough contract to swallow whole for a player who has started his decline.
The other reason is that it's been confirmed recently that the Jazz are more than happy to stay where they are at No. 5. Even if their preference is Edgecombe or Johnson, this draft is so loaded with talent that they'll be happy to take whoever is remaining at five even if both are picked before they get the chance.
If Edgecombe or Johnson (or any other prospect for that matter) had shown out so much that it was clear they were the third best player in this draft, maybe Utah would consider it, but there have been no reports of any player in particular standing out that much.
The funny thing is, this isn't a bad idea for another team like Washington, New Orleans, or Brooklyn because they received lower picks than the Jazz did and don't have the prospects to choose from that Utah will when they're on the clock.
For that reason, they might be willing to make that compromise, but it's hard to see the Jazz doing the same. At least in the way Philadelphia wants them to.