The Utah Jazz were heralded for their performance in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, landing a high-end wing scorer in Rutgers freshman sensation Ace Bailey and the star of the reigning national champions in Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. The young talent additions didn't stop there.
The Jazz had a few more picks coming their way as a result of the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. In classic Danny Ainge fashion, Utah was able to pick up a few extra draft picks as a result of the moving and shaking. Utah continued to add young talent that earned praise from the draft prognosticators out there.
The Jazz's first second-round pick of the evening was yet another high-scoring guard in Florida State's Jamir Watkins, though he was traded away to the Washington Wizards as part of an earlier swap. Utah managed to hold on to No. 53 overall, however.
Utah added a third guard who can score, as they picked Wisconsin's John Tonje with the No. 53 overall pick. That selection had changed hands multiple times before, but it ended with Utah getting a veteran player who was extremely accomplished in college.
Jazz draft John Tonje as part of Luka Doncic trade package
Watkins, a VCU transfer, averaged 18.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in his final season with the Seminoles. Watkins' scoring skill is undeniable, but some teams may have questions about his efficiency from 3-point range and his upside when defending on the ball.
Tonje is an older play who split six college seasons between Colorado State, Missouri, and Wisconsin. In his lone season with the Badgers, Tonje averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The shooting could make up for poor defense and a lack of passing skill.
Utah will run through Lauri Markkanen again next season, but Bailey, Isaiah Collier, and Keyonte George should all play a big part in their offensive structure. With a dash of Clayton, former Top 10 pick Cody Williams, and Tonje mixed into things, the Jazz could be a much more effective offensive team in 2025.
Ainge is determined to build this team through the Draft come hell or high water, and after looking at some of the selections this team made in the 2025 extravaganza, it looks like Utah is going to be a much-improved team after sitting througha brutal 2024 season.