It still remains ambiguous who will be the Utah Jazz's clear-cut choice for the No. 5 pick. That's because there are several prospects to choose from, with none in particular standing out. One factor that could go into who they pick is Austin Ainge's promise that the Jazz will not tank next season.
That doesn't necessarily mean the Jazz will trade the pick for a star, but it could mean the Jazz will take the most NBA-ready player of the bunch. The one who fits that bill is Kon Knueppel, and as it turns out, the Jazz have their eye on him.
Hoops HQ's Krysten Peek revealed that the Jazz are among the teams interested in picking Knueppel while explaining why he appeals to them.
"Teams like the Utah (Jazz No. 5 pick) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) are showing interest in the versatile guard and like his ability to seamlessly slide in alongside a star, ball-dominant player like Flagg and still find ways to positively impact the game," Peek wrote.
Peek also detailed how Knueppel's stock has risen since his freshman year and the NBA combine.
"Knueppel had an exceptional freshman year at Duke and is a player multiple teams liked after the combine. He measured very well at 6-foot-5 (without shoes) and shot the ball extremely well during the on-court shooting drills. Prior to the combine and draft lottery, Knueppel’s draft range was anywhere from late lottery to end of the first round, but the way the lottery fell has certainly worked in his favor."
Knueppel's ceiling isn't very high from the sounds of things, but he is the least likely of his bunch to fail at the NBA level. He would immediately raise the Jazz's floor compared to the more raw prospects expected to be picked in the lottery. Picking him would confirm Ainge's stance that the Jazz won't tank next season.
Jazz fans might not be keen on taking a player who doesn't project to be a star, but it might make more sense if another move follows.
Drafting Knueppel would suggest the Jazz plan to trade for a proven star
Because Knueppel is projected to be a player who fits best next to a superstar, drafting him could signal that the Jazz are positioning themselves to trade for one this offseason. As far as who that would be is anyone's guess. The two most popular names currently getting floated are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant.
There still hasn't been confirmation that Antetokounmpo is available, and Durant is approaching his late 30s. Someone like Zion Williamson might be worth taking a flyer on, but he is an injury risk and has been subject to some major controversy lately.
Fans will know what the Jazz's plans are when the draft comes, but intel like this confirms that he is the safest pick above all else. It's possible Knueppel won't be available when the Jazz get to pick and it's possible that they pass on him if he is.
The Jazz might not tank regardless of whether they get him or not, but getting him would be the first sign that the Jazz don't plan to have the same approach next season that they had for this one.