At this point in the offseason, Utah Jazz fans have the NBA Draft as the only thing to look forward to as the NBA Finals start. Looking at potential draft candidates is always fun, but this year, fans believe this class is lacking talent. In a draft that doesn’t appear to be deep, should the Jazz look at local talent Dillon Jones from Weber State University with the 32nd pick?
Dillon Jones as a Jazz Prospect
The Wildcats’ forward is the highest-rated Weber State product in years, and Tankathon projects him as the Jazz’s selection at No. 32. The 6’6”, 235-pound forward impressed many last season, averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. In the 2024 season, Jones took home the Big Sky Most Valuable Player award while leading the Wildcats to a 20-win season. Besides playing at a Utah college, his resume makes him intriguing for the Utah Jazz.
Jones has a well-rounded game, with the ability to score from anywhere and a high basketball IQ. Whether it is a three-pointer you need or a simple drive in traffic, Jones has you covered. He plays well on defense, with the ability to steal the ball and get in passing lanes. However, he lacks the athleticism some other forwards in the draft class possess.
This wouldn’t be the first time the Jazz took a chance on a Weber State prospect. They selected Joel Bolomboy in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft, though he did not last long. Bolomboy spent time with the Jazz and Salt Lake City Stars but now plays professional basketball in a Serbian league. If the Jazz do pick Jones, he would most likely be a two-way deal type of player and would develop initially in the G League.
When it comes to Jones, the potential of being a role player is there. If he can bolster his defense and knock down the three at a high clip, he will prove very valuable for any NBA team in this era. As for the fit with the Jazz, depth at forward is never a bad thing. Depending on how the offseason goes, if selected, Jones could get some minutes off the bench.