The Utah Jazz are in the middle of a rebuild. It started with trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, but the franchise has not landed a top draft pick. The Jazz have an All-Star in Lauri Markkanen and several young talents. It is a solid start, but they need a face of the franchise to get back into contention. The front office is not afraid to be bold if they right move comes along.
Utah currently has the second-worst record and a 14 percent chance of landing the top pick in a loaded draft class. It is tied for the highest odds under the new flattened system.
If the Jazz win the lottery, most would immediately jump at drafting Cooper Flagg. The teenage sensation is dominating for Duke and is the consensus number-one pick, but Danny Ainge should take a page out of his playbook in building the Boston Celtics to get the future star Utah needs and additional assets.
Jazz should take Dylan Harper over Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft
In 2017, the Celtics had the number one overall pick and zeroed in on drafting Jayson Tatum. The Duke star forward was not projected to be the top selection, so Ainge traded down to third overall. The 76ers gave up their 2019 first-rounder to move up to number one and drafted Markelle Fultz. Ainge took Tatum at three and got a lottery pick two years later.
The Jazz should consider a similar strategy this year. They desperately need a lead ball-handler and offensive engine. Dylan Harper is a 6’6 point guard dominating at Rutgers. He averages 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 32.4 minutes per game. The teenager shoots 48.8 percent from the field and 34.1 percent on his threes.
Utah wants length and versatility. Pairing Markkanen with an oversized point would be ideal. Harper can use his strength and explosiveness to score inside to go with a strong mid-range game. His jumper is developing and could quickly become a plus weapon. There is defensive versatility too. Fans cannot expect too much too soon, but he profiles as a future star point guard in the NBA.
The Jazz sit 21st in offensive rating. They cannot win being a bottom-ten unit on that end of the floor. They need someone running the show and making plays. Harper will create for others and is gaining valuable experience playing next to Ace Bailey this season. The two projected top five picks are learning to share the ball and create efficient offense.
If Utah wins the lottery, teams will be clamoring to draft Cooper Flagg. The Jazz may be able to move down a few spots and still get an elite player. They are trying to stockpile talent to get back into contention.
This is a bold move, but the consensus number-one pick does not always become a superstar. There are countless examples in recent years. The Jazz should take the option they desperately need and try to get additional assets.
Harper could be a two-way force in the NBA capable of guarding on the ball, switching, and running the offense. That is precisely what the Utah Jazz need to lead their franchise. Cooper Flagg is an elite prospect in his own right but plays the same position as Lauri Markkanen. The Jazz should choose Harper and figure the rest out when the order is determined.