The Utah Jazz may have been on the wrong side of some pretty bad luck at the NBA Draft Lottery, but the hope is that they could still find a way to select a promising talent who could fit next to Lauri Markkanen heading into the future. With so much uncertainty revolving around outside of the top 2 in this year's NBA Draft class, it will be interesting to see how the final month before the NBA Draft unravels.
Taking another look at how the NBA Draft board could fall on June 25, let's take a look at how the Jazz (and the rest of the league) may operate with our latest NBA Mock Draft.
1. Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
At least at the top, there are very few uncertainties. The Dallas Mavericks, short of something completely unexpected happening, are going to select Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. The hope is that the trio of Kyrie Irving, Flagg, and Anthony Davis could make some serious noise in the Western Conference over the next few years.
2. San Antonio Spurs - Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
There is some speculation that could suggest the San Antonio Spurs may consider trading this pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, at least for now, it's pretty safe to assume that isn't going to happen. Even though it may be a bit of an awkward fit, I do believe that Dylan Harper almost has to be the selection here for the Spurs. San Antonio should take the talented guard and worry about how to figure out how everything fits later.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Even though there will be a real lure for the Philadelphia 76ers to explore trading this pick, I can't envision a scenario in which they don't take the supremely talented developmental project, Ace Bailey. Maybe in any other draft class, the Sixers would be looking to move this pick. But considering the uncertainty that lies ahead of them, taking a flier on Bailey could be the move.
4. New Orleans Pelicans - V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
At No. 4, there won't be much thinking for the New Orleans Pelicans. Unless they can package this pick to move up a couple of spots, V.J. Edgecombe is going to be the selection for the franchise. He's a supremely athletic developmental wing project with the potential to evolve into a strong two-way player at the next level. Edgecombe could give the Pelicans the right spark they need heading into next season.
5. Utah Jazz - Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
It's unfortunate that the Utah Jazz took a pretty bad stumble at the NBA Draft Lottery. Looking at this situation with a glass-half-full approach, there's still a talented player that the Jazz could select with the No. 5 overall pick. Considering Utah would greatly benefit from a natural point guard leading the way, Jeremiah Fears could be exactly what the team needs at No. 5. Fears should give this franchise a much-needed talent boost in the backcourt while also offering some real excitement heading into next season.
6. Washington Wizards - Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
The Washington Wizards could go several directions with the No. 6 overall pick, but I do believe this is a spot where we could see Kasparas Jakucionis come off the board. Even though he faded down the stretch during his freshman season at Illinois, his size and dual offensive ability make him an intriguing prospect for any franchise that's looking for new direction.
7. New Orleans Pelicans - Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Looking to make a splash during the offseason with the intent of jump-starting this build around Zion Williamson, I can't help but wonder if Tre Johnson could be a potential fit in the backcourt for the New Orleans Pelicans. He'd bring a level of offensive firepower that the Pelicans desperately need and could add some intrigue for the fan base to get behind.
8. Brooklyn Nets - Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
The Brooklyn Nets won't be able to completely alter the future of the franchise with one pick in the top 10, but this first big piece of the next build could make all the difference for the team heading into next season. One underrated prospect who could make sense for the Nets is Kon Knueppel. As one of the better pure shooting prospects in this draft class, the hope is that he still hasn't fully developed as an offensive player. If that's the case, Knueppel's future is very bright.
9. Toronto Raptors - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
In what could end up being a potential dream outcome for the Toronto Raptors, this team would leap at the opportunity to select Khaman Maluach with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. A player who fits what they need in the frontcourt, Maluach offers the potential to be a defensive anchor while also possessing a unique offensive skill set for a 7-footer.
10. Houston Rockets (via PHO) - Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Finding the "right" player for the Houston Rockets with the No. 10 overall pick could be a difficult task to pull off. However, Carter Bryant continues to make a move up draft boards and could add another element to Houston's frontcourt that they currently don't have on their roster. Bryant is an athletic wing with sky-high potential. If Bryant's floor is a 3-and-D rotation role player, that'd be a huge win for a selection in the top 10.
11. Portland Trail Blazers - Derik Queen, F, Maryland
The Portland Trail Blazers don't necessarily have a huge need for a center, but Derik Queen may be too talented to pass up at this point in the lottery. Arguably the most talented offensive big man in this year's draft class, Queen could offer an intriguing element to Portland's frontcourt. Especially with the uncertainty revolving around Jerami Grant's future, Queen could make some sense for Portland here at No. 11.
12. Chicago Bulls - Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
The Chicago Bulls have to be praying and hoping that one of the bigs falls into their laps here at No. 12. In the way the board falls in this mock draft, they'd get that with Thomas Sorber still on the board. As one of the more overlooked big man prospects in this draft class, Sorber could easily emerge as a steal of the lottery. Sorber could be a strong piece for the new build that lies ahead for this franchise.
13. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC) - Egor Demin, F, BYU
A prospect who could offer a ton of versatility for the Atlanta Hawks moving forward, Egor Demin, could give this team some options as they explore what may be best for their future. I have a hard time believing that Demin will still be available this late in the lottery, but this draft class is loaded, so there's naturally going to be a chance that happens. If it does, the Hawks should be all over this possibility.
14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) - Cedric Coward, G, Washington State
With a second lottery pick, the San Antonio Spurs could use this selection as a bit of a luxury for the team. One prospect who has risen quickly up draft boards over the last month or so is Cedric Coward. As a player with promising upside, it wouldn't be surprising to see a team take a flier on Coward as a developmental project, as he's made the decision to stay in the draft.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA) - Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
The Oklahoma City Thunder could end up winning the NBA Championship this season and still have two selections in the first round. That's pretty crazy. With this first pick, as the Thunder look to add even more depth to their roster, Nique Clifford could make a ton of sense. Clifford is a player many project to be a ready-to-contribute prospect, and if he is, he'd help simplify some future decisions this franchise may need to make.
16. Orlando Magic - Labaron Philon, G, Alabma
It's no secret that the Orlando Magic could be on the hunt for some backcourt help heading into the NBA offseason. However, I'm not sure that's going to be the team's biggest priority heading into the NBA Draft. That's why I believe it wouldn't be surprising to see them take a chance on another guard prospect, this time on one who is a much more natural playmaker than any other player they currently have on their roster at the moment. That's where Labaron Philon could make sense for the Magic, just outside the lottery.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET) - Danny Wolf, C, Michigan
Even though the Minnesota Timberwolves managed to make it back to the Western Conference Finals (for a second straight year), I do believe that the team is going to need to make a big decision on the future of Rudy Gobert sooner rather than later. To be perfectly honest, this may be the summer when the Wolves start planning on his eventual exit. At the NBA Draft, the Wolves could look to select a big that could help if that comes sooner rather than later. Danny Wolf is a completely different type of center than Gobert, but he could be talented enough to carve out a role right away in Minnesota.
18. Washington Wizards (via MEM) - Noa Essengue, F, France
Looking to take a chance on another versatile wing with potential, Noa Essengue could be considered a steal for the Washington Wizards at this point in the first round. Essengue's trade value has been all over the place throughout his pre-draft process. The biggest concerns with his game fall on the offensive end of the floor. If he can show any signs of real improvement during a few pre-draft workouts, it would make all the difference for his draft stock heading into draft day.
19. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL) - Nolan Traore, G, France
There are whispers that the Brooklyn Nets could end up packaging their picks with the intent to move up in the NBA Draft. Short of that happening, this is a team that could look to take some real gambles toward the bottom of the first round. One player who could be on their radar is Nolan Traore. An extremely raw prospect with some physical upside, Traore could be a worthy risk for a Nets team still in the very early stages of a rebuild.
20. Miami Heat (via GS) - Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
With still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Miami Heat heading into the offseason, it's almost impossible to predict the approach they'll end up having at the NBA Draft. One offensive-minded prospect who could still be on the board when the Heat make a selection is Jase Richardson. Considering how much the Heat struggled on that end of the floor, he should be an option for the team.
21. Utah Jazz (via MINN) - Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
It would be quite a surprise if Collin Murray-Boyles fell into the Utah Jazz's laps with the No. 21 overall pick, but it'd certainly be a huge win for the franchise. Murray-Boyles could be considered one of the most versatile players in this draft class. Sure, there are concerns about his overall offensive prowess, but what he can do on the defensive end of the floor could work opposite of Lauri Markkanen and Jeremiah Fears.
22. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL) - Liam McNeeley, F, UCONN
If the Atlanta Hawks are looking for another "name" to select late in the first round, Liam McNeeley could be a potential target. McNeeley didn't necessarily have an underwhelming freshman season at UCONN, but he's certainly fallen out of favor with many NBA draft scouts. As a prospect who was once considered to be a potential lottery pick, it's difficult to find a mock that has McNeeley being taken in the top 20 now. Maybe the Hawks take a shot on his potential moving forward?
23. Indiana Pacers - Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph's
As the Indiana Pacers continue their magical run, which is likely going to lead them to the NBA Finals, this is a team that could use this No. 23 overall pick to add some much-needed depth back into their frontcourt. Rasheer Fleming is an intriguing prospect who could make a ton of sense for the Pacers. If Fleming has the two-way promise that some believe he possesses, he could be a seamless fit as Indiana explores what their future is going to look like in a potential luxury tax era for the franchise.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) - Will Riley, F, Illinois
I have my doubts about whether the Oklahoma City Thunder will actually use their two first-round picks to make selections they intend to keep. But if that does end up happening, adding another wing player with two-way wing potential would be a smart blueprint for the team moving forward. One underrated prospect who is probably better than this draft position is Will Riley. If he can continue to grow into his length, Riley could emerge as one of the late-first-round steals.
25. Orlando Magic (via DEN) - Yaxel Lendeborg, F, UAB
With two first-round selections, there's at least an outside chance that the Orlando Magic's depth could get two huge additions this offseason. After taking a guard with their earlier selection in the first round, the Magic could shift their attention to the frontcourt by taking a flier on Yaxel Lendeborg. A late riser in this draft class, Lendeborg has plenty of potential that any late-round picking team should be willing to roll the dice on.
26. Brooklyn Nets (via NY) - Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
With back-to-back late first-round picks, the Brooklyn Nets could absolutely explore the option of taking a shot on Walter Clayton Jr. Taking over the NCAA Tournament as he helped lead the Florida Gators to a National Championship, Clayton Jr. could emerge as an interesting offensive-specialist for many teams as he makes the jump to the NBA. He may not be a complete prospect, but it's difficult to find many prospects in this draft class better than him with the ball in his hands.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU) - Joan Beringer, C, France
Joan Beringer could be another prospect that the Brooklyn Nets look to take a chance on late in the first round. Still a very raw overall prospect, Beringer has the physical tools that the Nets will be looking for in a developmental big. With some uncertainty revolving around Nic Claxton, there could be value for the Nets taking a flier on a long-term big man project like Beringer.
28. Boston Celtics - Ben Saraf, G, Israel
With the way this season completely unraveled down the stretch for the Boston Celtics, this is an organization that will have some big-picture questions to answer heading into the offseason. As they explore those philosophical concerns, one fit for the Celtics late in the first round that could emerge is Ben Saraf. A 6-foot-6 guard with plenty of promise heading into the future, the Celtics could view Saraf as a worthwhile developmental project.
29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE) - Asa Newell, F, Georgia
If Asa Newell is still on the board at this point in the first round, the Phoenix Suns could take full advantage of every other team's blind spot. Newell has some big concerns as he makes the jump to the NBA level, but his overall athleticism and raw, but intriguing, offensive skill set could make sense for a team that needs to add to its depth. Newell could need a couple of years before he's a consistent contributing player, but the risk could be worth it for the Suns in the long run.
30. LA Clippers via (OKC) - Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn
The LA Clippers are largely expected to run it back next season, but they could still be in the market for some added depth in the backcourt. Late in the first round, it's probably going to be difficult to find a player who could contribute in a meaningful way right away. However, Tahaad Pettiford could be an intriguing option for the Clippers. A dynamic offensive player, Pettiford has much promise as a potential sparkplug off the bench.